avatarOphélie Quillier

Summary

The author reflects on the enchanting green landscapes of England, which have left a profound impression during their two-year stay.

Abstract

The article captures the author's deep appreciation for the vibrant greenness of the English countryside, a feature that stood out to them upon their arrival in the summer of 2021. As they prepare to depart, the lush landscapes, from the vegetation tunnels to the fairytale forests, have become the most cherished aspect of their time in England. The transformation of the countryside through the seasons, particularly the blossoming of spring, has been a highlight, outweighing the challenges of the country's famously rainy weather. The author finds a kindred spirit in Kazuo Ishiguro's sentiments about the unique and satisfying greatness of the English landscape, which they believe surpasses others they have encountered.

Opinions

  • The author was captivated by the luxuriant, bright green vegetation of England, which was the first thing they noticed upon arrival.
  • The English countryside's greenness is described as soothing and magical, with the experience of driving or walking through it being unparalleled.
  • The author appreciates the resilience of the greenness, which persists through all seasons, including winter, contrasting it with the fully white winters of Canada.
  • Spring is the author's favorite season in England, as it reveals hidden flowers and blossoming trees.
  • Despite the drawbacks of constant rain and mud, the author values the positive aspects, such as the spring flowers, lush grass, and moss-covered forests.
  • The author agrees with Kazuo Ishiguro's sentiment that the English landscape possesses a "greatness" that other nations' landscapes lack.
  • The article suggests that the author is not alone in their admiration, referencing other writers who have been inspired by the green landscapes of the United Kingdom.

Celebrating the Greenness of England

The magic of the English countryside

Ginny (the author’s dog) thoroughly enjoys the greenness of England in Whinlatter forest (photo by author)

When I first moved to England, in the summer of 2021, I was excited to discover the culture, and the history, and to meet people in this amazing country. However, the main thing that will stay with me as I prepare to leave after two years, is the landscape. In particular, how green and lush everything is here.

It was the first thing I noticed. As we ventured out in our rental car to go see our new home for the first time, we drove across the English countryside and I was mesmerized.

All the vegetation around me was luxuriant, so bright and so green.

Some roads were so fully surrounded by luxuriant vegetation that it felt like driving through a green tunnel.

Summer became fall which became winter and the greenness faded, although it never fully disappeared. Compared to Canada, which is fully white in the winter, England remained surprisingly green.

But my favourite experience came with spring as the rain revealed the flowers that had been sleeping below the ground and the trees blossomed before going back to their green selves.

I was prepared for the rain when I moved here. The weather is fickle and changing and often wet. That comes with its downsides, including mud everywhere all the time, but what I will remember are the upsides.

I will remember the spring flowers. I will remember the lush grass. I will remember the vegetation tunnels. I will remember walks in the countryside with my dog. I will remember the fairytale forests covered in moss.

All that green is soothing and magical. There is no experience quite like driving or walking through the English countryside.

I recently read a quote in Kazuo Ishiguro’s incredible book “The Remains of the Day” that perfectly illustrates how the English countryside makes me feel:

“[T]he English landscape at its finest […] possesses a quality that the landscapes of other nations, however, more superficially dramatic, inevitably fail to possess. It is, I believe, a quality that will mark out the English landscape to any observer as the most deeply satisfying in the world, and this quality is probably best summed by the term ‘greatness’.”

Kazuo Ishiguro

I have seen a lot of landscapes in my life. But the greenness of England will stay with me.

I was not the only one to be inspired by the beautiful green landscapes of the United Kingdom, as evident by these stories from Michele Maize and Rhonda Carrier.

Travel
England
Monthly Challenge
English Countryside
Traveling
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