St David's Day

Spring bulbs are few and far between in Riverside but they can be found if you know where to look.

Last week I saw a few daffodils growing in the front yard of a house on College Street. With today being St David's Day, the patron saint of Wales, a shot of one of these flowers was an obvious choice for my blip.

The Welsh wear either a daffodil or a leek in their buttonholes to mark St David's Day.

A lot can happen in a week. Out of roughly a dozen daffodils scattered across this front garden, only one was still in its prime and worthy of a photograph. A stiff breeze blowing did not help when it came trying to get the daffodil in focus but out of seven attempts, two were sharp.

I have always had a strong affinity for Wales and its landscape. As a youngster, countless school holidays were spent in North Wales and over the years I came to appreciate its scenery, the mountains and valleys, the coastline and estuaries.

In adult life, I sensed there was something special about North Wales. I always felt at one with the place, as if it was my spiritual home.

And then of course there are the stirring Welsh songs -- Men of Harlech, Cwm Rhondda and the Welsh National Anthem, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadu (The Land of My Fathers).

While processing this shot, I had Bryn Terfel and the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera playing in my headphones.

To Welsh men and women everywhere, Happy St David's Day.