Despite the fog, the wind, the rain and the cold, the winter has been pretty good in Shingle Street. We have had many beautiful days – perfect for bracing walks by the beach – but more importantly the signs of spring are fast appearing – the snowdrops are typically defiant, daffodils and tete-a-tetes showing their leaves, bergenia flowering pink and our large viburnum bushes ready to burst into flower for the second time.