Another bright cold morning found the six young cockerels AWOL as usual, crowing away in a neighbour's garden. So now there are five, and the others will soon follow. What use a wayward cock?

Spring is certainly in the air now, all be it sub-zero much of the time. Actually it is frustrating having such beautiful weather yet being able to do little. I am finding a window of opportunity for digging over the new vegetable patch (initially cleared by last year's pigs) between 3 and 6pm, though yesterday the ground remained stubbornly frozen all day. I will order the polytunnel tomorrow, and we will then have to finish the digging and removal of couch grass roots before it arrives. There is an impressive pile of these roots which I understand will make a nutritious and mildly licorice flavoured flour, and a rather rough bread. Perhaps with Hannah's breadmaking expertise we will create some tasty loaves. It's worth a go anyway.

With Gabriel the wwoofer we have been cutting, splitting and stacking firewood from the two ash trees I felled just before the winter solistice. Gabriel enjoyed swinging that axe more and more, and developed great strength and accuracy. My tennis elbow seems finally to be disappearing, so I am able now to pull my weight a little more, especially aided by a renovated chainsaw which makes quick work of even the thickest logs. It is such wonderful wood - I have left several longer lengths where the grain looks straight for later building and bodging projects. Ash is strong and flexible, and though it burns very well some say it is a shame to do so.

Now I will go and test the ground. Polly is off to play on the swing I put up yesterday - it has a nice chunky lime seat, and sits in view of the kitchen in the garage doorway. I expect to have a couple of hours to plant peas and greens before the digging begins...