In My Garden, mid-February

It's an exciting time of year for anyone who loves plants, the countryside or gardens. While most of the landscape is shades of russet, prune and dark organge, the grasses stand out as mostly glowing ochre because we've had so little rain. There have been promising showers that lasted an hour or two, but the last good downpour was in October 2006. A couple of storms rolled over in the previous August, but, apart from that, we've had nothing useful since Autumn 2005! Now, however, despite the lack of rain, the countryside is dotted with the heartlifting palest pink of almond trees in blossom. And the mimosa tree (accacia) in my garden is in full bloom.

In the middle section of the garden, wafts of delicious honeyed scent envelopes you when you least expect it. It's the smell of Spring coming.