UK Spring flowers & trees, and 'The Passion of Christ'

April in UK was the warmest and driest for a very long time.  After a harsh winter, the unseasonal spring sunshine encouraged trees to blossom early, and I was impacted by the colour that had burst onto the streets.  Here is a sample...

The paths around a local beauty spot were dry for running, and the early morning sunlight was stunning...

On Jose's birthday, she received so many beautiful flower arrrangements, we ran out of places to display them...

It truly was a feast of colour, beauty and amazing perfume.

A tradition in Walsall town centre is the reenactment of Jesus being crucified on that first Good Friday. I try to go along and this year took these photos of the drama and witness to the multicultural market traders and shoppers.

It is always moving to watch and be part of, as the Christians on the walk, which follows the Way of the Cross, from Jesus' trial to his crucifixion, also form the crowd who would have been there jeering and shouting for Him to be put to death. There are also appropriate hymns and readings at the different 'stations'. 

Afterwards I always find people I haven't seen for a while and quickly catch up with them.

On Easter Sunday, which is also called Resurrection Day, a small group always meet on Barr Beacon, the highest point in Walsall, for a Sunrise Communion service.  On the previous day the sunrise was glorious and so I decided to go to Barr Beacon on the Sunday morning. 

However, the weather was overcast and we didn't see the sun at all - so rather disappointing. Nevertheless, celebrating Jesus rising from the grave with others out in the open was still special.

The following week I read in the local paper that vandals had once again attacked this war memorial on Barr Beacon and stripped off half of the lead roof - what a shame.