Spring Equinox and the Arrival of Callum Jake Bull.

                            

We were all ready to celebrate the spring equinox on March 20^th, but before we could, Jen and Mark’s babe announced his arrival at 06.41 Greenwich Meantime. Perhaps, instead of a stork, it was a dove who brought him for his name is said to mean Dove King.  Welcome, please, the newest member of our family : Callum Jake Bull, weighing in at a hefty 3.4 kilos.  

Sometimes also spelled Calum or Calumn, his name derives from the Latin for dove, the symbol of peace and purity. The name is also associated with Saint Columba, an early Celtic saint who was based on the island of Iona. The family are certainly cooing with pleasure and delight over the bonnie bairn.

To mark the arrival of spring I’m recording a few of the spring flowers that are gracing our garden: the prunus and forsythia are among the first to show their vibrant tones, heralding warmer days to come.

                               

                       

The beautiful narcissus hangs her head modestly, while our pear blossom bears the    promise of a summer harvest.            

                                                                                          

Zissis and I celebrated my birthday quietly, having lunch at a restaurant I’ve been wanting to go to for a little while, and it didn’t disappoint. Mine was a big birthday – I’ve been retired for some time so I’m sure you can do the Math, as they say stateside.  Friends and family kindly sent on greetings cards, but those which bore the numerical evidence of my ageing were placed at the back of the display and at one point I even toyed with the idea of ‘adapting’ them with magic markers and glitter. I know lady friends of mine are equally surprised and reticent to announce the great new decade we are entering together.

                                              

However, on a more positive note, I have decided the celebrations will continue. Zissis and our nephew, Nikos, share the same birthday – so an occasion for a family get-together.

                                                                       

 On Saturday we head to Britland – and who knows what Brexit monsters await us there! :o                           But we have more family to meet up with and metaphorically wet wee Callum’s head!

In the meantime, I’m putting the finishing touches to my talk at the IATEFL Conference, Liverpool.

 Wish me luck!