Midsummer is just a few days away. The temperature is hovering around 9 degrees – occasionally hitting double figures if we’re lucky. I feel sorry for the birds and animals I see around the place – they don’t seem to understand what’s going on. The apple tree in the garden has managed but a few pitiful blossoms; the seeds I’ve sown are lost.

I’m finding it difficult to find cheer amongst the grey clouds, but then I receive an incredible handmade gift from a wonderful friend who is many miles away across the Atlantic. The colours are those of a wintery sea, and looking out my window, while I don’t see the sea, the colours are definately right.

Thank you, Rebecca.