And that's the line I'm sticking to

Apparently, spring is coming, but I have my doubts. As far as I can see, it’s all a case of very wishful thinking.

The crocuses and snowdrops might be opening, but aren’t they only as aspirational as we are? And the birds might be singing a little more than they were when we had all that snow, but – again – isn’t this part and parcel of just willing things along? What really nails it for me, though, is that I’m still wearing all manner of wool and fleece and Gore-Tex. And while admittedly I’m the sort of person who still wears a scarf well into May, right now I need a lot more than just a scarf.

And what does wishful thinking do for us anyway? Far better to immerse onself in the pleasures of a cold environment. A newish electric blanket (dual control, extra foot warmth, and automatic switch-off so that I’m not responsible for my own safety) might have something to do with this very conservative stance on my part, as might a rather pleasing woodburning stove, and the fact that I recently spent a good three weeks along with the sun on the other side of the world. Oh, and the fact that Southern are keeping its trains nice and toasty right now.

But, whatever my ulterior motives for embracing the status quo, spring is really not just around the corner. I’m going to hunker down for a while longer and then emerge, perhaps without winter coat but still with scarf, only once everyone else is considering the transition to shorts and sandals (a stage of development that I’ve never quite reached). Until then, the hatches are very much battened down, it’s not yet spring, and that’s the line I’m sticking to.