It is good to start the diary with good news. A blue egg shell appeared in the garden, the song thrushes have managed to produce chicks. We had seen the thrushes going into and out of the hedge and we suspected they were nesting but now they are collecting food and popping in. I look forward to the first viewing of the fledglings.

This last week I had the first sighting of a Harlequin Ladybird. They are apparently more voracious than our native ladybirds which is good news that they are eating pests apart from the fact they are taking food from the natives and may in fact also eat the natives.

The apple trees are laden down with blossom this year, I look forward to many apple pies.

There is so much colour in the garden at the moment is hard to know where to start and there is not enough space in one post. Rhododendron Luteumis fully out in all its glory and the scent is wonderful. It has now been joined by magnificent Rhododendron Pink Pearl.

The columbines, aquilegias, grannies bonnets or whatever you like to call them are bursting forth all over the garden in various colour combinations. I have never planted one, they were here 20 years ago and I have let them seed, transplanted them wherever I thought best and the result is wonderful.

Outside my office window is a Choisya, covered in white beautifully scented flowers and the perfume is drifting in through the window.

Dotted around and brightening up the borders (and paths!) wherever they appear are the yellow poppies. I was given a few seeds which I scattered and they are now colonizing themselves nicely.

My first laurel is in flower, the candle like white flowers fill the top end of the garden with their sweet scent.