Three times a week, come rain (yes, honestly, I have even run in the rain) or shine, I go out for a 3.5 mile run through the fields surrounding our village. Up until now it’s been a very relaxed affair, with no pressure, just a little “me time”.

But recently I realised (with a bit of help from my quite competative husband David) that to take up to 45 minutes to run 3.5 miles is pretty pathetic. So, no more gentle jogging, no more taking time to smell the flowers - it’s serious!

I’ve been working really hard to get my time down to 35 minutes - which is a fairly acceptable 10 minute mile and today I did my best time ever - 33.36!

I love this time of the year, when there is so much springing to life, colour and shape, things seem to change and grow overnight.

I like Honeysuckle but I almost prefer the buds to the flowers. Look at the organic and sculptural shapes of these buds that are almost, but not quite open.

Have a lovely weekend!

Inspired by the tempting creations at The Cupcake Company, I thought I would give it a try for Easter……How hard can it be? (You might well ask yourself?) Harder than you think!

But one small 9 year old thinks she’s died and gone straight to heaven…

One morning, during the very short summer, Dave and I were sitting outside, basking like lizards in the sun. We noticed a pigeon, flying in and out of a bush right by our front door. She was building a nest and we both were very skeptical about the possibility of her laying her eggs in such an unsuitable place. The bush is not terribly dense and we are in and out of this particular door all the time, but she persevered and was soon sitting on her nest peering down at us peering up at her.

2 babies hatched and grew at an amazing rate and before I knew it, they were leaving the nest. I managed to get a picture of them just before they left for good.

The last clematis petals have dropped sadly. I am always amazed at these brazen blooms that burst from a spindly, scraggly tangle of stems.

I never know quite what to do with the plant. Do you prune it or leave it alone? It looks quite untidy during the winter months, dry brown stems wrapped around our pretty white trellis. But when spring comes, light green leaves arrive, and not long after we are blessed with these gorgeous flowers.

We have 2 ancient apple trees in the garden at Brush Cottage. In the winter they look like gnarled sculptures, especially when the snow lands on them.

In the spring though, the branches come to life with an abundance of blossoms and when I open my bedroom windows to this beautiful sight it feeds my soul and reminds me that warm weather is on the way.

The trees produce an abundance of fruit and I hate to waste it. This year I am after the perfect Apple Pie recipe… Do you have one for me?

Our local farmer has planted 3 huge fields of Borage around Upham. They are now in flower and are magnificent! The blue/purple flowers contrasting against the green hedgerows and blue skies are a sight to behold. I asked George’s wife – Gina what he had planted them for and she told me that they are used in the making of Starflower oil. I had a look on Google to find out more about Starflower oil. It is used as an alternative to Evening Primrose Oil and can be beneficial in the treatment of skin disorders, PMS and other hormone related disorders. I think I feel better just looking at these gorgeous fields!

Twinkleberry all happens from a studio in my cottage in Upham. To find it, you have to navigate a narrow, leafy, pathway and before you know it the foliage opens and you arrive at Brush Cottage! It’s a typical, pretty English cottage and I love that we are hidden away from the rest of the village.