Happi Doze

What a sweet day it's been. The temperature has lifted by several degrees, and there was nowhere for the sun to hide. We set off for Happi Days in plenty of time, but I was in Sweffling before I realised I'd made mistake number one (at that stage I didn't know there would be others so it didn't have a number). So I had to drive all the way to Sax, and then all the way (big sigh) through Stratford St Andrew and Little Glemham and Marlesford before I got to where I should have been in the first place. And then I went to Melford. Happi Days is in Rendlesham. I ended up in Woodbridge Air Base where I used to go for Italian classes, instead of Bentwater WW2 air base. They are a long way apart. And so we were 30 minutes late for the start of Hugo's trial period, and he only had an hour and a half to run riot with the pack. When I collected him after a dash into Woodbridge to deposit my wad of £50s and grab a coffee they told me he had hurled himself into the action, and was welcome to come again time if he brings £15 with him. As he rushed at me and danced around my legs wagging his tail with zeal he cried and cried. It reminded me of dropping little children off at nursery, though I think it was me who wept then.

It was too nice to stay indoors so I power hosed the car and then set to in the front garden clearing the dead growth away. There is so much budding it seems astonishing that the plants have shrugged off the intense cold and come to life again. The desire to survive is very strong. Hugo followed me around but didn't really settle, so I shouldn't have been surprised to find him in his bed in the kitchen. I thought he'd love being in the sun, but he wasn't impressed. I carried on until I remembered not to go mad the first time I had a rake and a trowel in my hands, so I forced myself inside.

There is much to look forward to now the days are perceptably lengthening and the weather has softened. It's not spring - that could still be months away - but it's a reminder of what's to come. On our walk around the fields in the sunshine this evening I couldn't resist letting Hugo off his lead for brief spells. I scanned the ground for any movement, and called him back every few hundred yards or so to be safe. He came willingly and happily every time, the dear little boy, and each time I unclipped the lead again he was like a greyhound out of the traps. We'll find a suitable compromise eventually I'm sure. There has to be a way.

Photo of Californian poppies in their native setting, my absolute favourites