We have a tree in Geneva, a chestnut tree which stand on *la promenade de la Treille* (it's near le parc des Bastions for those who live in G)

An old tradition wants that Spring starts with its first flower.

The first tree lived from 1818 to 1905
the second from 1906 to 1928
the third from 1929 to......

and today .....

it's Spring





just for the fun, there's a second tree named the mad chestnut (le marronnier fou), he gave once its first flower in December......

thanks.... you sure couldn't tell it looking out the window today, or this morning looking up at the Jura and seeing they've had perhaps the first decent snow fall this year. ( this year being 2011 not this winter season )

Screw spring. I just got out skiing for the first time this summer. Winter begins now for me :P

ummm... was that a typo ?... or you were up a glacier somewhere ?

Hahaha---definitely a freudian typo. Maybe I do want spring to come.

Withdrawn.

We are 'up there' in the Jura and I can confirm that Winter is here at last. Hurray. Fancy some x country skiing on your 'déambulateur'?

I saw some primroses in the patch of land behind my flat yesterday.

It's certainly Spring in Zurich; the women here are being most charming. I was standing next to a lovely blonde woman - whom I assumed was Russian - holding several bunches of flowers. I asked in Russian if they were for me. A nice smile and a "Uh-uh" was the response. Introducing myself, she offered her name and a handshake, then took one of the bunches and handed it to me, wishing me a lovely day. I received roses from a Russian rose! Sorry to boast but I had to share the love with you all...

A few months ago a girl came up to me at Chur station offering me red roses. Sadly she was followed a few seconds later by her Mother with a begging bowl.

I havent been offered flowers for quite a while... Hmm i think i will start dropping some hints :P

I've seen people dropping a lot more than hints, but rewards were substantial


You're correct about the tree, Spring officially begins! But I'll still wear my jumper for now...

I wouldn't go dropping anything more than hints, well not in public anyway!

Longterm comparisons of my family in Zurich and Lausanne and Geneva show that spring starts on the Lake of Geneva one or two weeks earlier than in Zurich.

There were only a few yellow ones, but in a week or two there should be carpet of them. I'll take a pic.

From a little trip out in Zurich yesterday and the weather was wonderful!



And, no, I have no idea when these normally flower...so they could be mid-winter for all I know but it certainly looked and felt like spring.

They are not called snow drops for nothing, lol. Ours are out too- but sticking out of the ..snow. Saw some blue scillas and purple periwinckle in the woods yesterday too- but all are out 'normal' time.

The ones below are "Schnee-Glöggli" (snow-bells) and are generally the ones coming up when the snow goes away, while the "Dänketli" (thinkers -- to think about coming spring) are typical for early spring