First day of spring

Today marks the start of spring in the Japanese calendar. I'm told it's often the coldest day of the year but not this year - with blue skies and temperatures of 14 degrees it definitely feels like a spring day! I'm told there are still cold days ahead but it would appear the Kobe winter is pretty mild after all. Bring on blossom season ;)

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
Percy Bysshe Shelley