Dear reader...

ALL AROUND IN the countryside, nature is getting on with doing what nature does best at this time of year – creating new life, whether plant, animal, bird or insect. They are all following the natural rhythms of life. Even we humans feel uplifted at this time of year. I find the lighter, longer days, together with a little more sunshine and warmth, all combine to have a positive effect on my view of the world. Going for a walk no longer entails wrapping up from head to toe, with as little flesh showing as possible. Paths are still muddy, but that’s a minor irritation when all around is bright and glowing with sheer newness. Of course there are downsides. The grass suddenly bursts into life and requires regular cutting again. Weeds that disappeared in autumn are back with a vengeance. The problem is some things designated as weeds are so pretty it seems a shame to remove them while the flowers bloom. But then I delay just a day or two too long and they gleefully spread their seeds everywhere. The one thing I am rarely bothered with are slugs and snails. There is a simple reason for this. Over the years, I have simply stopped growing anything they enjoy eating. Any that persist in trying usually end up as food for the resident thrushes, who leave the shells on the paving flags near the compost heap. So bad is my garden for these molluscs that I have even been known to take pity on one trying to eat the tough leaves of a succulent. He wasn’t making much headway, so I removed him and popped him in the verge outside the garden. Perhaps he had better luck there finding a tasty morsel.

Hilary Scott Editor