The green shoots of recovery

Nope, not an article about the economy, sadly.  However following a second harsh winter in a row, it never ceases to amaze me how nature bounces back with her trademark optimism: spring flowers and green shoots.

Here are some photographs of the garden taken yesterday, in the soft evening light unique to the early spring.  Note the winter housing still covering much of the statuary.  They don't like the cold much.  And as for the bald patches in the borders (it's only March after all), I love seeing the signs of potential as the bedding plants unravel, reaching up to the sun, stretching for the warmth of the months to come.  Lovely.