I almost missed the chance to photograph the garden as it looks in February:

I was waiting until I’d made worthwhile progress on the polytunnel. As of yesterday, the metal framework is finally complete although we did have to lift up all the existing beds on either side. Originally I thought I could build it round them but, as well as being awkward to work across, the didn’t work with the staging supports. In early spring, we can put wood on top and work on seedlings in trays and then, as plants grow larger, those right-angled bits of metal work will help support tomatoes and other crops.

The other thing to note about this shot is the swan coming into the frame at the top right. I deliberately don’t feed the swans (not the sort of bird you want getting too friendly either with you or with other people using the area around the canal) but I do call out a hello when they float past when I’m working down that end of the garden. It’s simply the polite thing to do!