There are lovely white blossoms on the Manchurian pear trees in my street and daffodils are blooming in my garden. But apart from a little sunshine - just enough to make us think for a while that spring is just around the corner - it has been grey, gloomy, cold and wet. Today began with thick fog in the morning, cleared a little and degenerated big time this afternoon. An icy blast and a sudden hailstorm turned the garden into a scene that reminded me of an old-fashioned Christmas card. All that was missing was the robin red-breast and a spray of holly.

Spring can't come soon enough.