February 25th – I love daffodils – harbingers of spring, I eagerly await their appearance to herald the light and sun every year.

By now, I know where the earliest local ones appear – the miniature ones (possibly actually narcissus) in Kings Hill Park are usually competing to be first with this patch on the Chester Road near Stonnall, at the Wood Lane junction.

I know they’re both unnaturally early. But a man can dream of spring, after all.

They are a delight to welcome back every year, and on this dull, wet and blustery ride up the Chester Road, they gladdened my heart.