‘Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning’ – that old saying is so true. A couple of hours after this sunup, storm Darragh barrelled in, and its force felled a few more trees. Such is life by the sea, nothing to do other than wait it out and then clear the debris.

When Darragh had blown itself out, tranquillity returned and look what we found sheltering under a berberis, a jolly bright yellow daffodil. It is about ten weeks early but there is no doubting it, and many more followed for Christmas from those sprouting shoots.

Christmas was calm and, as ever, all the seaside gear had been neatly stowed waiting for the spring. It is now that quiet post festival time to think about plans for 2025. More writing and a new book; travelling around Europe to see its magnificent medieval cathedrals; and just enjoying the seaside garden and planting the new veggie terraces.

And my bucket list is one item shorter. Been to Lourdes. After more than fifty years of resenting not being included in the school trip, I got the Bernadette snow globe at last, and all is well.

Best Wishes to you All for 2025