Sunshine

I realise the groundhog said six more weeks of winter. Thankfully, however, we seem to have moved into a transition phase. It’s been sunny for several days (and should continue to be for at least the next two weeks) and the daytime temperature is generally double digits (in Celsius). My garden path has been ‘installed’ and I’ve managed to dig out the left side ready for planting. Put bee pellet wild flower things on right along with some nasturtium seeds. Once we’re past below-zero nights I’ll put in some anemones.  Getting there.

Sat outside in the sun with the dog for first time this year. Made me think of breakfast out there once it’s warmer and reminded me of breakfast on the deck early morning (already very very hot) during our last holiday.

There are now loads of spring flowers around, the roses are starting to leaf, and I’ve managed to dig out most of the ground elder (my nemesis in this garden). March can be a weird month here (we’ve gotten snow mid-way through), but I am cautiously hopeful.

Anyway, I’ve been playing with the second Strangers Parfumerie sample, Sangre Dulce, which, as the name suggests, is a gourmand. I wasn’t overwhelmed by the other thing in this line I sampled (Carrousel something). This is better but I’m not going to be chasing any more of these.

This is simply too linear. I’m not against linear — the Gobin Daudes were linear. But this isn’t interesting like they were.

Notes list includes benzoin, blood orange, brown sugar, cinnamon, civet, honey, patchouli, Peru balm (I wonder if he means Peru balsam), pomegranate, rose water, sangria, strawberry, tobacco, wine and ylang.

The whole idea of strawberry reminds me of the original release of Miss Dior Cherie which I quite liked. Very well done, it was a perfume that made me happy – so sunny and sweet without being cloying. However, it also reminds me of those body mists available decades ago that smelled of synthetic strawberry. Slightly nauseating.

And this led me to thinking about Serge Lutens’ pine and stewed apple thing (fruit is a theme today) Fille en Aiguilles which I sampled a number of years ago and really enjoyed. I know some people get pine air freshener with this, but on me it was stewed apple and pine. Really nice combo.

Anyway, the Strangers Parfumerie iteration of the genre starts as very nice burnt caramel and pine. With development, I get some strawberry but sadly it’s the thin synthetic stuff. The caramel recedes and the pine comes to the fore.

In the end, this just doesn’t develop on me. The burnt caramel etc fades and the result made me feel slightly ill. So, nix that. Not really enamoured of this house.

On last series (ie, 8) of Spiral and just finished Joe Ide’s newest book, Smoke. It is the fifth in his IQ series. Really good — and he finished things implying there will be a book 6.

After Portia’s post last week on travel I’m more focused on the idea of a holiday late summer/early autumn if it can be done. Might try to do the Lost Gardens of Heligan finally (ie, St Austell for a couple of days – it will be mostly outside so potentially doable) and if it’s possible maybe even Paris for a long weekend… People are already booking ‘staycations’ here, with Devon (where I live) a prime target. So, 1) it’s going to be very busy during June and July and 2) a UK holiday is going to be way too expensive to even think about. Probably much cheaper to get an Airbnb in Paris slightly out of season…

So, yeah. Do you have a favourite caramel fragrance? What did you think of Miss Dior Cherie before it was altered? Any love for the Lutens FeA?