Back to Winter

Anxious not to be out-done by our resident red admiral, two more of the early butterfly species have put in a first appearance today, starting with this very fine peacock and followed by....

....an equally smart tortoiseshell, both attracted by the aubretia which is bursting into flower in the front garden.

I worry for all of them. The forecast suggests that tonight's low of 4C will be followed by a day which will struggle to reach 5C and will be followed by three nights when the temperature will plunge to -3C, with wintery showers promised.

So it isn't only we foolish humans who allow a few days of fine weather to trick us into thinking that winter is behind us. We are fortunate to be able to turn the central heating back up again. I do hope that these beautiful butterflies can find a warm place to shelter through the next few days.