Our blackcurrant bushes certainly seem to have set the ladybirds going . . .

They're at it everywhere . . .

Fortunately, we don't take a 'not in my back yard' approach . . . . . . as we hope it'll work up their appetite for eating aphids.

Meanwhile, a bee decided to ignore these goings-on by drinking . . . 

. . . from the apple blossom . . .

. . . while a robin landed on the fence looking very pleased with itself . . .

He'd got a takeaway in his beak . . .

It looked like an insect, but I couldn't tell exactly . . .

It was certainly eat, drink and be merry in our garden this lunchtime.

In the garden, our two apple trees change daily . . . 

This morning the apple blossom opened up . . .

I hope the number of flowers means we will get lots of fruit this year!

It's that time of the year when you have to look now or you'll miss something.

The blossom on apple trees . . .

. . . and in the park . . .

The new shoots on a rather sorry-looking holly cutting . . .

I could say I haven't got time to stop for this, but what I would really be saying is I haven't got time to live.

It's the best time of year.

Events conspired to keep me out of the garden for much of 2010, although early preparation did lead to a bumper crop of tomatoes, runner beans, apples and blackcurrants.

A review of the garden after the snow and ice reminds me there's a lot to be done.

I am also surprised at how advanced the hydrangeas are already; their buds are quite big and I hope they don't think that because the December snow and ice have gone that spring is just round the corner.

The camellias do not seem to have so many buds, but it's early yet.

One of the apple trees should have been pruned back in the autumn and, while I've given it a quick trim, I think I'll wait until later in the year as there is a lot of winter left to get through.

So the main focus for 2011 in our garden is to get back on track.