The Daffodils
Today I saw the first daffodil on my running trail. I know it is seen earlier in milder areas, but I was touched when spotting it here in Denmark in my neighbourhood today.
Daffodils
My thoughts wandered to the great British Romantic poet William Wordsworth (7 April 1770 – 23 April 1850) who wrote about the daffodils in 1802 in his poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”.
Since I was a teenager, I wanted to visit the Lake District, where the poet wrote his poetry in daylight. During the Napoleon wars, a massive tax was put on the British people to be able to afford the fight. The charge was called “Daylight robbery” as people had to pay a fee for each window they had in their houses. The consequence was that windows were covered, so only very little daylight was allowed into the homes.
When I was eleven years old in 1962, my mother’s friend from Manchester with her family came to visit us in Copenhagen for the first time since they met in 1946 in London. One of her sons was only ten years old, and one unforgettable evening he recited poetry. I had a small book for collecting poems, and he wrote the first verse of this poem by Wordsworth in my book. He and his one year older brother attended a grammar school and were years ahead of us.
Daffodils were written by heart by my then ten-year-old British friend John.
In 2007 I was able for the first time to visit the Lake District, which I had heard so much about from John’s mother in who’s home I later stayed in my youth.
Wordsworth’s Dove cottage in the Lake District
Dove Cottage Grasmere Cumbria
Categories: Art, Poetry, Travelling
From one Heart to Another 
Reblogged this on Stevie Turner, Indie Author. and commented:
‘I wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ is my best-loved poem, and daffodils are my favourite flower. I too have visited Dove Cottage. I found it amusing that Wordsworth often crept in by the back door to avoid ‘domestic issues’!
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You are lucky to have visited the Lake District, I should be ashamed as an English woman I have always wanted to go there but never been, one day perhaps. Daffodils are so beautiful, mine in the Garden have been out now for several weeks and will not last much longer. My Red/white and Pink Camellias are out and I think perhaps it is too early, but right now what I love most of all are my two Cherry Trees I have, I just adore looking at them and the Blossoms. Enjoyed your more than interesting blog, but then I always do. You take care poppet and long to hear more from you. Love, Anna.
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You are always so encouraging Anna. Imagine that you have blossoming cherry trees now. They are so beautiful. We will have to wait a month for that in Denmark. It’s not too late for you to go to the Lakes. Only remember the right clothes!
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The Lakes are my favourite part of our country, and I’ve been there many times. Seeing the daffodils in bloom is always a highlight 😊
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So true Clive. The Lakes is such a lovely place that I long to return to. I will remember to bring enough clothes next time
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We used to go every year at Easter. Had everything from 22 degree heatwave to deep snow!
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Last time I was there I thought it would be summer and I was mistaken. I now know that in the mountains it can be colder than I hope. It’s really marvellous that you had heatwave at Easter time once
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It was very unexpected! Snow and cold weather are more usual early in the year. It does get cold on higher ground, best to be prepared.
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I think this post was the lovliest I have ever read anywhere. thank you for stirring my heart in a beautiful way.
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