When winter is here and the wind is howling, when there’s snow in the air and we’re slipping over on the ice, when the wind is cutting and stinging our eyes and when we’re sheltering from storms as we wait for the train… that’s when I want to remember this scene.

Ten minutes later we found ourselves knee deep in nettles.

I knew we shouldn’t have worn our shorts.

What a fantastic sunny weekend. The cat has spent his time sniffing around the borders and the chickens have been sun-bathing. We took the tarpaulin off the top of their compound and they’ve been enjoying the warmth, laying down in the chippings and spreading out the wings and legs to soak up the sun.

We’ve been out on our bikes. We rode up to Springfield and into town through Chelmer Village. The sun was so warm, and it’s lovely to be cycling under empty skies with not even an airline trail to spoil them. With all air traffic over the UK and much of the rest of Europe grounded by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland I’m enjoying our silent, deserted skies.

I know it inconveniences those who want to travel, but as far as I’m concerned, the longer it continues the better.