Making a real start

Due to some pleasant, spring-like days during the past week, like me, the plotters at the Hill are gradually emerging from their hibernation. At last I have enjoyed some quality time preparing my plot for the coming year and now feel as though I'm up and running. My neighbour, John, told me off after my first session. 'Pace yourself Chris' he advised. Makes a change as it's usually me that hands out this sort of advice, when he's done too much. Still, I returned home after a rewarding afternoon, under a blue sky (I even abandoned my jacket), and suffered no ill-effects for my hard work. Little did he know that I was back on the Thursday to complete the digging and forking. The photo shows the garlic (coming on well) with a few winter cabbages in the background. The last remnants of the broad bean plants, with their blackened and collapsed stems, had to be removed, eventually to be replaced by the new plants (in loo-roll middles) and some sown directly into the ground. On window ledges and in the greenhouse, small shoots are sprouting in pots and trays - tomatoes, chillies etc. Every day they become a little taller and stronger. Isn't nature wonderful!

The bottom of the garden is carpeted in white. The snowdrops couldn't look better. Now the daffodils, in their Greek bowl, are in full flower too. Mike carried the bowl back from Thassos one year, well wrapped in a towel (the bowl, not Mike!) in his hand luggage. The piece of olive branch was found on a beach on Lesbos.

Will have to get myself some new gardening boots for the coming year. My old ones have fallen apart. Wellies will have to do for now, but they'll be too hot once the weather warms up (for ever the optimist).

Our friend D is due back from his survival course on a Scottish island tomorrow. Obviously he's not been able to contact anyone whilst there, so we (and especially his wife and family) are anxious to know how he got on.

For a couple of days, next week, we are off to Liverpool to do some family history research. I'm also looking forward to meeting an elderly aunt in Wallasey. Haven't been back to my birthplace for years, and really looking forward to it.