Dog days of winter

I'm enjoying these last days of winter before the spring madness begins. Eating up last year's harvests from the freezer and planning what to grow next year.

I found an inspiring allotment book at the library, all about a group of villagers in Devon who found their own piece of land and started an allotment group. It's in a sublime position, looking out over the sea. They've worked so hard and created some really gorgeous productive plots.

The seed order arrived from the allotment association. I tried very hard not to go overboard. I still have a box full of things, and no doubt I'll go to the seed swap too. I'll probably sow tomatoes later on this month, and then it will all begin again.

In the meantime I'm sticking close to home though, avoiding the wind and rain when I can and writing and doing the usual busy things. I always wonder in the winter how there is ever time to tend a garden in spring and summer, but somehow I always seem to make a few hours here and there. I do love having a break from it all though.

Outside it is sodden but I can see a few buds beginning to swell. It won't be long now before things are moving. This is the month that the swans head back to Siberia. The natural world can feel the world turning back towards the sun. But for now I'm quite happy inside, just for a bit longer.