The 10 darkest weeks of the year are gone now as we pass Imbolc. We still have a fair breeze and a dampness to the air but the sun has been out and so has Ben, if only briefly. The hellebores are beginning to look their best and the snowdrops are becoming proper wee clumps. When I went to look I found there were small flushes of deep blue, the wee irises are beginning to put on a show. I continue to be really pleased with this year’s new winter border - the two Christmas boxes are blooming constantly and although the cyclamen have looked rather roughed up by the weather & pigeons I think they will establish.