Fires And Flowers | Letting the May Magic Unfold

May Day sunrise Morris | Bale-fires on the beach | May Crowns for the Fairy King and Queen | Maypoles, mummers & folk carols | Bluebells | Alder carr wander | Unashamed aquilegia tour (!) | Outdoor wood-fired kitchen

Life down a winding country lane in North Norfolk.

Waking up to the sound of birdsong loud and clear through a closed bedroom window at 4.30am I know that May has truly arrived. And what a vibrant moment it is, chock-full of the energies of the season and above all green, green, green.

So much joyous celebration has coloured this first week of the month that I just had to make another video to capture it all as best I could. Perhaps - hopefully - it will provide a crumb of sustenance, a spark of comfort, during dark or dreary days at the other end of the year. But for now, let’s just jump in, join the dance and embrace the feeling with all our senses.

On May Day morning my alarm was set for 3.25am so I could arrive at St James’ Hill on Household Heath with its panoramic views of Norwich’s medieval cathedral and church towers before daybreak. Parking up, there was just time for hot cacao from the flask and a warm May bun before the Golden Star Morris and Kemp’s Men danced in the sunrise and the merrie month of May.

Then there was night beach ritual, making May Crowns, a traditional celebration right on the Norfolk/Suffolk border involving more dancing, May folk-carols, maypole dancing and mummers. Closer to home, the bluebells by the stream are at their best and the uncharacteristically dry alder carr reveals rarely-seen beauties. Speaking of which, the aquilegias in the cottage garden are just coming into their own. And plans are afoot for more outdoor cooking at home, making the best use of an unloved corner.

If you enjoy the videos and would like to contribute to the making and sharing of them (my channel isn’t monetised), I just wanted to let you know that there’s an option where you can buy me a coffee should you wish. And you know how much I love coffee! Thank you so much, if you choose to do this now and again.
Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/imogenashwt

As I mentioned in the last video, I spend a lot of my time researching and writing Bracken & Wrack, my Substack newsletter where I share a magazine-style offering around each new and full moon.

Landscape, magic, recipes, folklore, seasonal musings.

There’s less focus on the cottage and more on the folklore under our feet. It’s delivered straight to your inbox, is free to subscribe, and you can sign up over at imogenashwin.substack.com.
That’s where you’ll find some of the stories behind the ‘slide show’ images in each video, if your curiosity is piqued!

There will be a new Bracken & Wrack for the May full moon in a few days’ time so I’d love your company for that.

There’s also a paid community and I would be thrilled if you’re able to support my work in that way. You’ll receive extra offerings ‘between the moons’ as a thank you.

On Instagram and Facebook I’m @theoldshopnorfolk if you’d like to say hello there.

The two channels I name check are ​⁠‪@bealtainecottage‬ and ​⁠‪@thewagonwitchoutdoors‬