Manchurian Pear

Back to blossom blips today, with a Manchurian Pear flower braving the ravages of early Spring storms. Actually it's not that stormy yet, but it will be later today - it's moving in fast, hence the early blip. Come to think of it, it's not Spring yet either, but it will be in 9 days time.

When I was little, I had an illustrated story of Cinderella. In it, her ballgown was made by her standing under an apple tree in full blossom. The fairy waved her magic wand and all the blossom fell around Cinders, creating her ballgown from the flowers. That's what the Manchurian Pear reminds me of, especially as it comes into leaf while the blossom is still out, so you get the gorgeous pale pink of the blossom, and the lovely fresh green of the leaves.