Hoaching with hochmagandy

ALLELUIA! Or words to that effect – spring is here, at least in this part of the Borders, and the world feels beautiful again.

The swallows have returned from their winter in South Africa; the bees and butterflies are winging their way around the woodland glades; and the pheasants and wood pigeons have been assailed by testosterone again and the air is hoaching with hochmagandy.

Only humans are plodding about in masks but I am escaping to the shade of the trees where wee leaves are sprouting and the air is full of birds declaring their territorial rights. It is wonderful, as I have even jettisoned the snow tyres from Gwyneth (my wee car) today and we are free once more to drive sedately around the airts, smiling at life as we go.

Thelma Edwards, Hume, Kelso.