The daffs are out. There is a quant variety in the Swiss Garden, all spiky, which I am told is called Rip Van Winkle. I like it. There are quite a few varieties on show and on a little island they provide some cover for a coot’s nest. On the lake, a great crested grebe has chosen to nest close to one of the angler’s ‘piers’. That is a big egg but just the one on Sunday. I don’t know how many she is sitting on now. The first of the magnolias are bursting out and our blue peacock remains on duty at the gardener’s hut. It is a lovely time to wander the garden in the sunshine.