France in spring

SPRING has arrived at full speed in Villefranche du Perigord with blossom, bugs and sunshine making the recent cold weather a distant memory.

Within a matter of days the bushes and trees in this corner of the Dordogne have welcomed the rising temperatures with a dash of colour.

Catkins are heavy with pollen, which draw in the bees and cover them in a coat of fine yellow dust.

Whilst trees are covered in small pink and white flowers their leaves translucent in the morning sun.

The bushes are abuzz with birds as blue tits and wrens flit from branches watched from far overhead by buzzards gliding on the warm air.

Along the paths, that run through the fields, mice scurry into tree roots and shrews dart here and there as you take a stroll during the warm afternoons.

Market day in the village saw people chatting by the flower stall, resting on wooden benches and enjoying the sun after the winter months.

Even the weather forecaster on the television got into the spirit of things by picking out a smiling face with golden suns on the weather map.