After two years of no-shows, the lily of the valley pips I planted have made their first tentative appearance and I am checking their progress daily. The scent of lily of the valley in the woods behind my best friend's house is one of my strongest memories of childhood.
It is rather magical that lily of the valley scent can't be extracted from the flowers (in the way you can with rose and jasmine). Reconstituting a similarly lovely fragrance makes you realise just how complex the organic chemistry of the natural world really, and how little we really understand.
Phenylacetaldehyde oxime (C8 H9 NO)
Dihydrofarnesal (C15 H26 O)
Linalool (C10 H18 O)
Hydroxycitronal (C10 H22)
Cyclamal (C13 H18 O)
Isopropylcyklohexylmethanol (C10 H20 O)
I can't share the beautiful chemical structures of the pure approximations, but we can be quite sure the messy natural ones are even more complex.
looking forward to reading the book. I have always wanted to stand in front of the orchestra and wave my paws around - but it would be an absolute disaster - that you can be in both places amazes me
If you are dipping into “Fifty Years in Chandler’s Ford” on Substack, you may find the occasional mention of Lily of the Valley in my Gran’s garden. The house and garden are no longer in the Goater family but some of the Lily of the Valley, initially from a well respected C Ford horticulturalist, given to Gran decades ago, now thrives in our Scottish garden. A little bit of Gran lives on. Lovely.
Cool video! I’m looking forward to my copy winging its way to me. Loved the article - my Mum’s favourite perfume was Lily of the Valley and I can’t see or smell the pretty flowers without thinking of her.
Yes, strong association with both my parents – my mum used to pick selected blooms when they first appeared and put them in a tiny vase on my dad’s desk.
Congratulations on the book, Lev!
After two years of no-shows, the lily of the valley pips I planted have made their first tentative appearance and I am checking their progress daily. The scent of lily of the valley in the woods behind my best friend's house is one of my strongest memories of childhood.
That is the very finest unboxing video! You have upped the ante considerably.
Hope the book flies off the shelves - looking forward to reading it.
Now off to research the chemistry of the unique scent from lily of the valley
£10 says it contains things like 'carboxy', 'methyl' and 'hydraldehyde'.
It is rather magical that lily of the valley scent can't be extracted from the flowers (in the way you can with rose and jasmine). Reconstituting a similarly lovely fragrance makes you realise just how complex the organic chemistry of the natural world really, and how little we really understand.
Phenylacetaldehyde oxime (C8 H9 NO)
Dihydrofarnesal (C15 H26 O)
Linalool (C10 H18 O)
Hydroxycitronal (C10 H22)
Cyclamal (C13 H18 O)
Isopropylcyklohexylmethanol (C10 H20 O)
I can't share the beautiful chemical structures of the pure approximations, but we can be quite sure the messy natural ones are even more complex.
This is excellent knowledge, and I enjoyed the chart on twitter too. Thanks!
Also fun to watch thank you.
looking forward to reading the book. I have always wanted to stand in front of the orchestra and wave my paws around - but it would be an absolute disaster - that you can be in both places amazes me
Ha, best unboxing video ever!
Thanks!
If you are dipping into “Fifty Years in Chandler’s Ford” on Substack, you may find the occasional mention of Lily of the Valley in my Gran’s garden. The house and garden are no longer in the Goater family but some of the Lily of the Valley, initially from a well respected C Ford horticulturalist, given to Gran decades ago, now thrives in our Scottish garden. A little bit of Gran lives on. Lovely.
Having read just a couple of them so far, I like your gran (fantastic handwriting!) and it doesn’t surprise me that she liked l-o-t-v.
Lincolnshire Poacher. Yes indeed!
No so common Swifts. Yes, but not with us yet. Two more weeks…
The book. Will be a much appreciated pressie from someone.
Swifts: Looks like they flew straight over Kent according to the sightings. B*****ds!
How selfish of them.
Very clever animation 👏👏👏
Thank you!
Cool video! I’m looking forward to my copy winging its way to me. Loved the article - my Mum’s favourite perfume was Lily of the Valley and I can’t see or smell the pretty flowers without thinking of her.
Yes, strong association with both my parents – my mum used to pick selected blooms when they first appeared and put them in a tiny vase on my dad’s desk.
How lovely.
Love the video!
"Rain Dogs" on iPlayer. Gritty. Sardonic. Emotional. Excellent.
And from this swifts fan in Perthshire.... huuge and growing anticipation.
Nae swifts yet, but a book has flown here! Lovely.