Here in Manchester, England, we seem to have barely had a winter. A few nights of frost, one night of very light snow and some lovely crystal-clear bright days. Other than that we've had a fair bit of wet - but not the floods that some parts of the country have suffered.

The crocus and snowdrops are brightening up the garden and the grass is growing well - the lawnmower will need to brought out of hibernation in the next week or so. The birdies are tweeting well - their singing always makes me feel good.

John