ALMOST APRIL

Well, the grass may have riz but I have unriz it with the mower, at least the shorter cut bits.
We were out watching a high tide swirl in the bay whe R spotted a pale pink flowering currant in the hedge. I do not think it belonged to anyone but was an escape. Anyway there are three small cuttings down in the veg beds now next to the rhubarb.

With some mowing done the pond is looking a lot better even if the heron needs a good coat of paint. The mallard are back so we must have done something right.

It is dry (dare I say it) but the weather could return to this at any moment. We have not yet forgotten the Beast from the East that assaulted us last year. Apparently in many parts of Europe they refer to that spell of bad weather as the Russian Beast. 

Back to the garden where we have swatches of primroses, patches of wood anemones and dog violets (the ones that have no scent).

   

 and an errant celandine.

We are still waiting for the buds on the camellia in the edge of the wood to flower but it is acting as a shelter to these seven spot ladybirds.
I have yet to see the carnivorous Harlequin ladybird in our garden though, oddly, I was assailed by them last year on the eleventh tee on the golf course.


The Victoria plum is in full blossom and the damsons not far behind but cold weather predicted for next week and I fear for the fruit.

I am shifting manure by the barrow load, have cut out a willow, several ash seedlings and a rhododendron ponticum from the bottom hedge ditch.

Elsewhere the forgetmenots are getting going and fritillaries flowering in the top banking grass. 

It is a pity our quince is ornamental - but beautiful, a gift from Dorothy R.

I keep going out to test the long grass for cutting but it remains stubbornly damp. So I just cut some broccoli instead for supper.
First broad beans and spinach sown.

Next day it is almost dry enough to cut and I have a go. So, lawns all cut for first time, broad beans and spinach in, first rhubarb from under forcing pot tonight.

Life can be a load of rhubarb (especially in The House of Commons). It is interesting if at times tedious to see democracy in action - or is it inaction?

Perhaps we should build (or have a wall built) between politicians and reality. 
So it is okay for some Tory Brexiteers to change their mind and vote for Teresa's deal at the third time of asking. After all we live in a democracy. 
But it is not okay to have another referendum, that is not democratic? 
We hear - "The people have decided." That is it.
Perhaps some of the people have changed their minds too? Opinion polls suggest they have.
If Brexiteers are so sure of their position what have they to fear from another referendum?
They do not want one because they think they would lose, not because such a move would be undemocratic.

Shut up Duncan and get back to the real world - gardening.