Optimism

The edges of the vineyards here are dotted with almond trees, which are the first sign of life after the winter. Unfortunately most of them are bitter almonds. The anciens know exactly which trees have edible almonds on them, but they aren't telling.

They usually start to flower around the first week of February at the earliest. It's been so unseasonally warm this winter that the neighbour's mimosa has been blowsily flowering for a week. But the almond trees have remained impervious to the blandishments of the sun. I was desperate for a blip today, so I was delighted to find this single almond tree that has decided spring is just around the corner. All the other trees I saw on my walk still had tightly furled buds.