HOW was Christmas for you?

Did anyone actually even go out into the garden?

I hardly did at all. In fact, we had some family visitors over yesterday and I was amazed and slightly ashamed when a cousin commented on our spring bulbs coming up through the lawn – which I hadn’t even noticed.

I suddenly wondered how many times I have been in the garden over the last three weeks. I have – but mostly to go into the shed or bring in logs.

I have done no jobs at all! We are planning some major alterations to the garden in the spring, but only after we have replaced seven of our windows so sadly everything is still at the planning stage and jobs are tending to be put off. An air of nervousness hangs above us. The aforementioned cousin who likes to comment on things also told me how to prune a buddleia and when I should do it, and gave me a lecture on bird baths. Luckily he only stayed for the afternoon… I haven’t been out to check but there are no flowers at all in the garden except for some bedraggled looking viburnums and rain sodden rose buds. I realise that one crucial thing for me, at this time of year especially, is what I can see through my windows.

I may have something of a fair-weather tendency when it comes to hard work in the garden but I do like to make sure that I have something to look at.

The front of the house is all fine with lovely views out of all of the windows.

One bedroom looks out over hills and the other the same but through a cherry tree which somehow gives it an old fashioned feel.

I always have a picture in my mind of this being a writer’s house with well brought up delicate girls writing their diaries whilst looking mournfully out of the window for inspiration.

Please don’t think I am showing off. I cannot help it. I must say I feel that I am living the dream.

If I could have chosen any house for me to grow old in it would be this one – I intend to stay here. I am very lucky.

My Kitchen doors look out onto a nice little patio which is half enclosed by walls and planting onto a raised garden; a perfect place to have breakfast in the summer.

There is not much to look at but the structure, with its moss covered walls is always attractive.

I have three or four ferns placed on the central table and on the walls which give some interest and greenery at all times.

Beyond this – as I have shown you before - is the bird bath where the slightly better weather of the last few days has encouraged the blackbirds to start washing again.

Maybe they are on a January detox too.I remember how I used to be irritated by my parents constant fascination for what was going on in the bird bath – we become our parents it seems.

The living room window has a flower bed just beneath it and although there is no point in giving it much attention yet there are roses whose stray winter flowers can still be seen.

I did plant an old favourite of mine; schisostylis coccinea major, whose exotic red and waxy flowers – just tall enough to be seen through the window - were still in bloom until a few days ago.

Right now there is not much more to be done but at least – as has been pointed out to me – there are spring bulbs coming up, and whilst they are sure to be crushed under diggers in a few weeks’ time, it does give me something to focus on. You can write to me care of the S.N.J. or email me at theinteractivegardener@gmail.com