WINTER'S LAST GASP?

Sometimes little things make a difference - the return of the mallard pair to the pond or R's sighting of a tree creeper out of the bathroom window - the bird going up of course, not down - that would be a nuthatch.

At the top fence there is an old ash tree festooned in ivy with a Rambling Rector rose climbing its branches. It is also a sanctuary for pests like tis grey squirrel.

Other trees are stirring, catkins on the hazel and the first leaves on the elder. Buds on the lilacs and cherries are fattening ready for blossom.

Down in the veg beds the rhubarb is stirring and the forcing pot has been positioned for early stems. 

Chives are pushing through with their slender green fingers.

So, flowers - now we have primroses and snowdrops all over the place.

and crocuses when the sun shines.

And quietly, stealthily, the bluebell leaves are pushing through the woodland floor promising a glory of blue in late April, early May.

In the flowerbeds too there are some surprises - the Euphorbia characias ssp. Wulfenii on the right and the leaves of the cardoon on the right

I have raked out the dead growth on the piece of lower banking where I tend to dump plants I cannot think of where to put - perhaps as they grow something'll spring to mind - there must be a place for crocosmia Lucifer and the acanthus?

Finally two photos of the winter garden as tomorrow the weather men say is the start of meteorological spring.

ps. I have wired the bird feeder lid shut and the squirrels are defeated (for now). All they can do is join the chaffinches and pheasants foraging underneath for dropped offerings.

Happy birthday Roland.