The worst of the winter may be yet to come, but there are enough signs of spring to make some impression on my normally gloomy February outlook on the world. (It would be nice if one could say the same for politics, but that's not my department.)
We have had a few nights of bitter cold, including the last couple of Wednesdays, which means that we have had to head out early on Thursdays to get the heating on in our art club venue. Still, it is a huge comfort to see the days stretching out a little, and on sunny days it's been possible to do a little gardening and other outdoor pottering, so a few of the roses are fettled for the start of the season, and I've established where I need to get some sealant into the dripping gutters when we get some dry days (though I have to say that I'm unenthusiastic about ladders these days).
The biggest bonus of sunny days is the chance to have lunch in the sitooterie. By midday, the temperature has usually crept up to a balmy 22° under the glass, and it is such a pleasure to enjoy the sunlight. Today we've been watching buzzards soaring over the nearby woods - as well as the steady stream of traffic into Gatwick and a few transatlantic services overflying at altitude.
Just below the conservatory windows the yellow crocuses and snowdrops are in flower, and there are timid signs of colour on the polyanthus in the tubs on the steps. Out at the front, it's time I put the geraniums out of their misery. I've brought the basket round to the cold frame to see if there's a prospect of cuttings, but there I'm less optimistic.
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