Harebells

The harebells this year are prolofic, giving a blue sheen to the laneways. They prefer light sandy or poor soil so tend to grow on banks and amongst the moss and daisies on stone walls.

I clearly recall the firset time I noticed them; it was as a child, struggling crossly up the lane from the beach with arms full of beach gear and sisters! We never wanted to go home at the end of the day and our poor mother had to almost horse-whip us from strand to car! Along the sandy banks of the lane, in amongst the marram grass and smelling of hot salty greenery were these small papery blue flowers swinging on the most delicate stems.

To this day the first sight of harebells takes me back to childhood.

Harebells are difficult to photograph as they seem to prefer hiding behind grasses and stones, but the warm green summery scent of them is still lovely. I had a grand time climbing around the laneway trying to get some good photos!