'Mon the birds! (To paraphrase Chewin' the Fat). That female pheasant is a smart wee burd, she recognises my car, and yesterday stalked ME from the car park to the bothy to get her breakfast. She was soon joined by breakfast-club regulars: Mr & Mrs Wylie - the crows, a couple of speculative jackdaws from the neighbouring walnut tree, and a cheeky wee blue tit. The small birds are also enjoying a cage of fat balls hanging from Bruce's walnut tree. These are all accompanied by the recently returned chiffchaffs....they are the sweet, chirpy heralds of spring and NEVER shut up. Speaking of things that chatter ceaselessly: our Mary (or 'Iain' as we almost never call him) was quite exercised about the presence of a pair of geese - one Canada and one possible Greylag. Their offence? The deposition of copious poo on HIS grass, making it tricky to mow. "We need to do something about them," he cried plaitively, "look at the mess." "Right, David Attenborough, whit dae ye suggest - drain Duddingston Loch?!". In the end, Mary took his usual recourse and coping strategy: he named them - Donald and Elon.....

Happy Vernal Equinox! Spring has sprung here: living willow screen construction, Lucy wearing her Watercolourist Queen tiara, Andrew launching thr herb garden kerbs, 1st early tatties in, garlic:garlicking, James watering geraniums at the Welsh hill and sunrise (from the House of the Binns, not actually here, but it was pretty). Phew.

We're all very proud of our Lucy Gogoliuk, one of our volunteers, who is this year's winner of the Young Artist at the Royal Watercolour Society. The exhibition is on at the Bankside Gallery in London until 23rd March. Lucy hosted an exhibition of her student's and friend's work in the Gairden last year. So chuffed for you!

Signs of Spring in the Gairden: our big tree is about to burst bud, as are the pear trees down the avenue - so exciting. A layer or two less clothing (our Ian is already in his short sleeves as he makes Shrove Tuesday pancakes in Jock's Kitchen). Polytunnel repairs are coming along good style, with Adam and the mighty Shamie spannering away at the big meccano set. Martyn and Johnny get their volunteering certificates - congratulations you two. Quote of the week from our shortest volunteer, Struan (blonde and charming grandson of our Sue), "The plants* are hatching!" * first salad germinating in the non-knackered polytunnel. Thanks, wee man, you've changed our horticultural terminology for good 😁. These are just a few examples of the graft that's been done so far this season by the best and most splendid bunch of volunteers ...so good that they even rock up when the weather is at its most rubbish. Chuffed.