Signs of Spring

It may be too early to call, but my walk down the lane today showed signs that spring is on the way: the sun is higher and, under blue sky and cotton wool clouds, the clear view revealed the recent snow had gone from the tops of the distant Cleveland Hills; also gone were the gales of yesterday with today’s breeze just enough to turn the far off wind turbines; the trees and hedges though still bare have lumps and bumps visible along their branches as buds begin to form; and behind the hedges are furrows of freshly turned earth, each ploughed field a precursor to the coming summer’s green and gold patchwork.