The last 10 days have been ferociously cold, with snow and ice thrown in for good measure. I’ve been doing my best to keep the birds well fed, and have also had a new feline visitor, though I’ve only actually seen him that one time.

The cold weather has always played havoc with the end of my right thumb, the skin dries and splits at right angles to the nail and simply refuses to heal until temperatures rise. I’ve tried various things to combat this over the years, but nothing seems to work.

How can something that looks so small and insignificant be so painful? Opposable thumbs may be a wonder of evolution, but every time I try to grip or grasp something with any force, the split just opens up again. I can hear you wincing at the notion as I write!

However, I digress. I’ve now bought my seed potatoes, onion sets and shallots, I couldn’t wait any longer. I’m not planting as many this year, so just got 1 bag of each. I also bought a few packets of seeds (Gardeners Delight, Broad Beans, Sweetcorn) and a Blueberry plant.

The Blueberry wasn’t exactly a whim, I’ve been intending to get one for some time. I read the packet carefully, I took my glasses into the shop specially. It wasn’t until I got home and looked in a book (yes a book) that I realised it needed lime free soil, which we don’t have, so it looks like it will have to go in a pot. I wish it had said that in the instructions, I could have saved myself a few quid.

I’ve been to see my new dentist, a charming Indian man who looked about 12 years old. He was lovely, and to think he wasn’t even born when I had my first set of braces fitted.  It’s funny how silly things like that suddenly make you feel very, very old.

Finally, I’ve recently been accepted as a volunteer for the charity Cinnamon Trust. I’m now waiting for my first assignment, so watch this space.