Spring Shoots

The snow hasn't even nearly cleared in the gardens and already we are seeing life stirring. Even coming up through the snow where it is at its thinnest.
Where snow has been sliding off the roof and into the garden we still have the best part of metre high mounds. Could be ages before they melt. They are so frozen that we can easily walk across them without sinking.
To add to all of that, I have developed a rotten cold. The first one I have had since I can't remember when. If you don't hear from me for the rest of the night you will understand why !!