No motivation

It's nearly the end of February, and I'm looking forward to seeing the back of this month really. Apart from a few bright moments, particularly when we had our last reasonable covering of snow, it's been very dark, damp and dreary . So miserable, in fact, that my I've lost any enthusiasm to start sowing seeds. It seems a bit pointless at the moment to have too many trays and pots of emerging seedlings on the go. However, as I had a day off from my usual Wednesday walk in order to catch up on some jobs, I decided to rustle up some enthusiasm and to make a start. Perhaps when (or if) I see some results, I'll feel more in the mood. I've walked down to my plot on a couple of occasions but it was very wet and muddy, and there was nothing much I could do there. If it wasn't for my trips to dispose of my vegetable peelings in the compost bins at the bottom of the garden, I'd probably only venture into the garden occasionally. No - that's not quite true because I do like to look closely at the snowdrops and hellebores (soon to flower).

It is good to see and hear so many birds in the garden too. Yesterday I cut a few stems from the dogwoods in my front garden to go into a pot that we brought back from Thassos many years ago. It will soon be time to prune all the dogwood stems down.

With Greece in mind, it is the first year for a long time that we haven't planned a holiday there in early May, by now. Due to Mike's health problems we told our friends K & D to go ahead without us this year, and make their own plans, and we are pleased (and very envious) that they have done so, and will be off to Finikounda in May. We've spent many happy holidays with them on a number of Greek islands and in various places in the Peloponnese. In fact, we first met each other on Thassos in 1997 when they had been relocated to the neighbouring apartment, after being disappointed with the one they had booked. Not only do we have similar interests, but by coincidence D used to work with my late uncle in Liverpool. What wonderful times we've had with them, exploring the hills and valleys, plant hunting and bird watching, beach combing, visiting archaeological sites, listening to Greek music, sketching and reading, and relaxing on quiet beaches. Can't get enough of the place - and the lovely people. Once Mike has had his scan, and depending upon the results, then we can make our plans. (We have to be a bit cautious, as our holiday on Corfu last year turned out to be quite eventful! Mike spent 10 days in hospital due to a DVT in his leg). In the meantime, we've got plenty of happy memories, photos and music to fall back on. A & E bought me 'Vefa's Kitchen', the bible of Greek cookery, for my birthday last year and as soon as our diet has finished (yes, it is working) I intend trying out some of the recipes out.

Pity there was such a low turn-out for the talk on bees by Adam Bates, at the social club on the allotments on Tuesday evening. The horrible weather probably put quite a few people off. It was an excellent talk, and very informative. It was good to see the other plot-holders, who must be looking forward to some better weather, when we can come out of hibernation.

Just a thought for our friend D who is off on a survival course, on a deserted Scottish island, on Sunday!