@AnnaJCowen and I are continuing to experience the hidden surprises that come with inheriting a mature, well-kept Wivenhoe garden. The well-kept part of this conundrum may be slipping slightly, but as the girl will no doubt testify - maturity wins every time when it comes to keeping up appearances on a weather beaten patch.

We didn’t dare venture outside during those dark, gloomy estuary winter months. The garden looked like the ice age had been transported to Stig of the Dump. A particularly impressive manhood of an icicle put me to shame.

Now I’m finding something slightly phallic about the throbbing red tulip that has been proudly revealing all with some boastful morning glory all week.

One by one, the garden is awash with the birds and the bees. For this we have to thank the fine family who walked these lawns and attended these borders before us. Artistic flair ran through the generations. @AnnaJCowen and I have so far planted some daffs.

I wonder what further surprises the spring and summer months will uncover in our Wivenhoe garden of delights? I’m holding out for a great big stonking amorphophallus