In her classic beautifully illustrated 'Country diary of an Edwardian lady', written over a hundred years ago, Edith Holden proclaims that 'if winter be wet, then spring will follow in similar manner'.

We certainly hope not but little seems to have changed in a century because as we progress towards springtime there is no let up in our extreme weather pattern as rain falls relentlessly.

With many areas of the country under water a fleet of Noah's arks might be welcome especially on the Somerset levels to rescue inundated animals,birds and insects.

Then, when the waters finally recede, fish, which may have ventured out over the flooded fields could well become stranded.

The phrase 'lovely weather for ducks' comes to mind as water birds such as the mallard illustrated and flocks of gulls may be the only creatures to benefit from flooded farmland.

Folklore names this month 'February fill-dyke' and so far this has proved pretty accurate. But, somewhere over the rainbows of which there must have been many lately, spring waits in the wings.

We can enjoy the gradual greening of bankside willows; listen for the dual notes of chiff-chaffs winging in from Africa, usually the first migrant birds to arrive and hopefully hear the first skylarks rising to sing in soggy Richmond and Bushy parks.

In an effort to defy the elements I always fill the house with vases of daffodils after Christmas while outside, celandine, coltsfoot, wood anemones, pussy willow and primroses are worth searching for as we dodge the showers courtesy of the capricious jetstream.