WITH the clocks going forward and nature’s calendar well ahead of schedule following one of the warmest winters on record, some floral treats are abloom a good month before time.

Yellow primroses and their close friends the jostling grape hyacinths, bluebells and snowdrops enjoy the dappled sunlight carpeting the woodland floor. What a spectacle.

The Welsh blood in me salutes the gently swaying daffodils that trumpet their appreciation as they are caressed by the warm hand of the sun.

At present all manner of buds abound and are becoming restless as they tentatively ponder whether to “go for it” and allow their inner life to emerge and so display the finery that awaits.

See the wide assortment of bulbs pushing through and flexing their dormant muscles blinking in readiness for another season of colourful growth and pleasing adornment.

The sap too is truly on the rise.

Look forward to the emergence from their hibernation of butterflies that flitter on fragile wings. Red admirals and peacocks so beautiful.

The dawn chorus is in evidence as new life begins to explode all around us. This time of year is truly one of great expectations. Nature is astir.

We will soon welcome the vulnerable beauty of the poppy mingling in the hedgerows as well as the farmers fields where the scorch of distant poppies are a delight to the eye as they rub shoulders with the posh crops.

Among the seeds being sown are beetroot, tomatoes, onions and carrots together with the enjoyable pastime of trying to keep up with our neighbour Monty Geoff.

Here in dear old Andover we are fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of idyllic olde worlde villages that are, themselves, huge baskets of beautiful spring flowers all displaying an amazing multicoloured kaleidoscope of head turning beauty.

These sights, sounds and smells are all indicators of warmer days ahead as the dull, dark, dank days of winter slowly distance themselves.

John Porter, Millway Road, Andover