Such a crisp, clear day. The sun was shining and the air was biting cold. Up in the forest the shafts of sunlight slid through the bare trees, lighting up areas that will soon be darkened by spring leaves, for there are signs already. Shoots are appearing on the wild clematis and the catkins are lengthening on the hazel. Snowdrops are bursting through the ground in my garden. January is nearly at an end an spring can’t be too far away.