The warmth and returning light of Spring are so welcome after such a harsh winter. All that pounding rain has resulted in a tapestry of vivid greens which form the backdrop to an abundance of buds and new life. First up, there is an old favourite that has popped up in the terraces – the arum, or peace, lilies. They are so elegant and statuesque having risen miraculously from the mush they were over the winter.

A muddle of clematises over in the exposed west garden have burst into life from bare stems that only a few weeks ago looked dead. And the nearby wisteria is getting going to join the mess.

The old apple tree down on the stone river has lost a few branches but what remains has sprung into life to complement the lane’s clematis. And the old stalwart buxus balls and cascading rosemary waterfalls are bowling along as ever.

It is warm enough to sit out in the lower garden where the agapanthuses are getting ready for their summer show. But for now, it’s time for some reading.

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