I work from home, writing children’s books, so my life didn’t change as drastically for some with lockdown. I’d go to the office in London once a week, but I was still used to long days at home, an hour for walking the dog, or running up the hill.
I always thought of myself as someone who knew a bit about nature. I grew up with a birdwatching father. I can tell my mistle from a song thrush, pick out the teacher, teacher of a great tit’s song. I’ve written children’s books about birds and snails and done my research…
But with lockdown, everything slowed, and the weather, back in April, was glorious. I started taking my children on long, lingering walks. And that’s when I saw them - wild flowers - everywhere! How had I never noticed them before?
We spotted the show-offs first. Lords-and-ladies dazzling us down the lanes. And the unfussy ones - dandelions, clover, buttercups - seemingly growing any-old-where. I liked their attitude - haphazard and without a care. Then came the secret flowers, the shy ones, tucked away in shady hollows: wild garlic, spring beauty and tiny speedwell, hiding under the grass.