After the weather reversion to inclemency of the day before yesterday we were treated to a little bit of everything; tantalizing morning sun, cold in retreat, much friendlier winds and no hint of rain anywhere on the near horizon. Perhaps we should have embarked on our morning walk when the temperature hit 18C, and the sun was still out, but duty calls.

Mondays are my house-cleaning day, so unless something really urgent arises, that's where I set my sights. Dusting, mopping, vacuuming, floor-washing. The restoration of order and a semblance of cleanliness. It wouldn't much matter if I skipped one week, since small-clean-ups are done throughout the week, and there's only two adults and two small dogs to clean up after. But those are rare occasions.

In any event, it was well after mid-afternoon before we made off for our ravine walk. Few preparations needed, since our little dogs needed only their collars and light harnesses, while we were fine with light jackets. Or so we thought. For the sun had gone in, and dark scudding clouds had taken the place of that lovely clear sky.

So the further we got along our route on the forest trails, the cooler it seemed to get. Happily, the sun did come out for a few warming occasions. In lock-step, unfortunately, with falling temperatures and resurgent wind. Little matter, we all enjoyed the freedom of moving our limbs and enjoying the atmosphere with scarcely a hint of ice left on the trails, and the snow quite efficiently having retreated off the forest floor.

All manner of woodland plants are now emerging, anxious to take advantage of their spring opportunity to present themselves once again, and we're delighted to see them. The showy colonies of foamflower have joined the woodland violets and the trout lilies in greeting spring above the fertile soil of the forest. They are such delightful plants, not just for the delicate sprays of white flowers that will eventually be in evidence, but for the shape, texture and colour of the foliage. Wild heucheras is what they are, dear to any gardener's heart.

We came across one other ravine rambler with her Portuguese Water Dog, and for a brief period while we stopped and chatted as old friends, Jackie and Jillie had another companion to snuffle about with.