Way out West, for this independent perfumery perched on the Welsh coast, June got off to a thorny start that had me perform an emergency stop.
(As a proud champion in the art of slow perfumery, coupled with a laissez-faire attitude to life in general, some may say I was already stuck in reverse).
Whatever.
Changing down through the gears this slackened pace shifted my perspective and I felt myself slinking slowly through chinks in time, seeing the usual anew.
Because in a world that pushes us ever onwards at greater speeds it’s a strange feeling to be forced into neutral.
Bizarrely soporific.
Lucky for me June’s midsummer warmth - all the better to enjoy this unexpected period of dormancy.
Retreating into my beloved garden I sought pleasure: abundant bursts of rose blooms unfolding in all their majesty, huge crowns of flower heads nodding amiably.
Pathways tumbled with hot magenta hues emitting intoxicating opulent notes.
Classical standards brimmed with bountiful scented petal.
Folds of palest yolk skirted the pond, drifting fizzy citrus notes with hints of too sweet honey.
Enjoy rose as it sits at the heart of HAF, which translates as Summer.
Sweet. Fruity. Aptly named.
