My love for winter goes back many seasons. Most people think winter is a cold, dark, miserable time but for me I see it very differently.

Winter is a time when Mother Nature recharges her batteries after a long summer. Bulbs, trees, plants all hibernate to refresh themselves after a busy summer.

Winter puts to sleep all those nasty things we all dislike - flies, wasps, dragonflies and slugs. 'Good riddance!' I say.

Winter - a time to give your body a rest from smothering it in suntan oil, a time to cease our relentless worship of the sun. A time to stop cooking ourselves from a delicate shade of pink until we are toasted golden brown.

Snow, I love snow. I love the way it covers everything. It makes everything look so peaceful and virginal, like a bride on her wedding day.

I love Christmas, it is a time for giving - a time for remembering all the things you love the most - a time for celebration. Christmas truly is a magical time.

Winter, a time to cuddle up to the one you love. When outside the wind is howling and the snow is dancing in the wind. It is a time to relax, doing your favourite things around a roaring fire.

I love late winter when things start to warm up and you know Spring is on its way. Mother Nature is beginning to stir. Daffodils are bursting from the ground, snowdrops so delicate, yet so brave.