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Both parks have looked amazingly beautiful this spring. Tulips, especially, had the Wow! factor. Perhaps it was the incessant teeming rain in the late autumn and early winter (very bad luck for Winter Wonderland) followed by strong sun, meant we had memorable displays.

Blossom round the Albert Memorial, and in the recently planted area in memory of Theresa Short, rivalled Japan’s blossom season. Little ceremonies took place under trees with proud families gathering for photographs, with wonderful costumes and frocks on display. With my useless camera I could only smile and congratulate. Luckily, our “proper” photographers were busy.

I’m so sorry to tell you all that despite vigorous campaigning the decision has now been made to close the dedicated police force in our Royal Parks.

February slides into March. Christina Rossetti said it…
‘But for fattening rain
We should have no flowers.
Never a bud or leaf again
But for soaking showers.’

Janus’s month, like the Roman god, looks both ways. Back to the old year and a chance to review and process some of the things which happened, and forwards to the new year perhaps with some resolutions?

The parks have looked strikingly different from one day to the next during the month so far. Our headline shot of an early (8am) grey view across the Serpentine shows mist rising from water full of broken ice, to slightly warmer air above. Below you’ll see the same walk, on another day, to work with a low sun through the trees emphasising the frosty grass.