After weeks of rain and a very cold snap, it suddenly feels and looks a little like Spring: the plum trees are budding; the tagasaste are in full flower; bumble bees abound; the poplar poles have all been set on the slopes; there is new growth on the kei apples; the garlic is up and away; and, some strawberries have even started fruiting. Our resident kereru oversees it all.

Equally important, I spent half a day outside yesterday without my gum boots. Ah, signs of spring.

Peace, Estwing