An early spring

I can't remember a year where we've had such a mild and sunny February. It has brought out the spring flowers very early, producing unusual combinations instead of the usual sequencing of snowdrops, followed by crocus, followed by daffodils. My little narcissus have already popped up in the tubs outside the front door. On a street nearby, admittedly in quite a sheltered spot, there is a camellia in full bloom, with snowdrops at its base. All rather pretty... but if we get sharp frosts in March (as we surely will) then all the magnolia buds and the camellias will get scorched and ruined. I passed a magnolia tree whose buds had already burst their sheaths. I felt like shouting at it: 'Stop! Go back, go back!'

I've been out and about a lot, making the most of the lovely weather. Usually I'm struggling to find enough photos to keep my blog going at this time of year. This year, I've more pictures than I can find time and space to show.