SPRING IN JANUARY.

We two have just returned from a walk around and about the village posting the Agendas for next week's Memorial Hall Meeting to 10 Committee members.     Down here in Somerset we have been enjoying sunshine all day (unlike most of the rest of the country apparently - and in fact Jenny told me this morning that it was even raining in Sydney today though with a 25 degree temperature), so although a trifle chilly, it was perfect walking weather.

I returned eager to do a quick blog because I was keen to pass on to others our excitement at the unexpected  signs of spring we found,  even though we are right in the middle of winter.   We were really delighted to come across a cheery cluster of primroses flowering beneath a tree, and daffodils in bud - last year at this time daffodils were blooming in profusion everywhere - we had seen the first ones before the old year ended, but this year we have only recently  seen small shoots emerging from the ground.      And many of the trees and bushes, on closer inspection, are beginning to bud.

Once back home I took my camera out into our own garden to see if there were any signs of life, and was so pleased for find  a few shoots of forsythia, the odd blue vinca flower, and several bright yellow spikes of mahonia nestling under the magnolia tree.  Also the standard rosemary bush, a Mothers Day gift 5 years ago, had little blue flowers emerging along its stems (but I made a mess of that photo!). Best of all, a little pot of four snowdrop bulbs which my Mum had planted for me have come into bloom and provide such an uplifting sight just outside our bedroom window (it's at last light enough to see them by 7.30a.m.!).  Once their flowers are over Mum wants us to plant them in the garden whilst still 'in the green', so they should provide a winter treat for years to come.

It may be January, but spring definitely seems to be in the air - as we ate an orange and banana each on getting back indoors (we'd usually opt for the cake tin, but are trying, spasmodically to cut down a little after our Christmas excesses) - we were intrigued to watch two squirrels playing along the length of fence separating the paddock from the rhyne.     They appeared to be courting, one of them cavorting along for a distance, waiting for the other to catch up, and then playfully springing off again - though never moving very far out of reach.   We were very aware of much birdsong today too, as if the sunshine and blue skies after all the winter's snow are already turning their fancy to thoughts of love.

I do hope this 'Rustle of Spring' provides a little bit of hope to set against all the dreary news in our Sunday papers today.