I swear Spring arrived today. It was warmer and there were snatches of blue sky to be seen. As soon as I was released from my coaching calls the bassets and I were out for a brisk walk across in the Kaitoke forest. There is nothing better for clearing the head.
One of the things about New Zealand is that even in winter there is plenty of green. At the moment the gorse is in full flower and on my travels I spotted a new koru starting to unfurl. Another sign that Spring is on it’s way.
I know, it’s another two months before Spring officially arrives. But a girl can dream.
It still may be cold, dank and are but there are signs of the seasons turning. Tonight at 5pm when the dogs get fed and the chickens get put to bed I swear it wasn’t as dark as it usually is.  I think the chickens agree as they were only just hoppng in their house when I went down to lock them in. The ferel chickens were long gone though off to their roosts in the trees.
I’ve given up chasing them but am working on the theory they will eventually come back into the fold. I’ve seen them heading towards the pen where the food is. It’s just a waiting game. And then I’ll be there to slam that door shut, trim their feathers and give them home comforts that will keep them where they rightfully should live. After all there is no point feeding chickens that then lay there eggs where I can’t collect them.
The other reason I think Spring is on the way is that the foxgloves are coming to life in the hedgerows again.
Admittedly they have quite some way to go before they reach flowering height. I love their ambition to fight the winds, rain and possible freezing temperatures of winter in order to burst into flower.
It would be wonderful if this dry weather continued for a few days. There are so many things I’d like to do outdoors which are just impossible when there is a driving rain forcing you back into the house. I don’t mind the cold, it’s just the wet I find hard to deal with. This is made worse by the sodden ground which is completely waterlogged right now. The marsh grasses that have invaded our lawn are doing nicely!