The Sweet Air of Spring........

'With a hop and a skip and a jump we go, with a hop and a skip and a jump we go, tum tum tiddly pom, tum tum tiddly pom with a hop and a skip and a jump we go!' Hortensia was singing one of her favourite songs for the first time in what felt like ages. Things were becoming a little easier at Fir Tree Cottage now that Hortensia could hop about a bit, her toe was mending fast, and though both Archibold and Hortensia were grateful for the miraculous healing benefits of Aunt Mildred's foot balm - as Archibold kept on saying - 'I can't wait for that terrible smell to go away!'

In fact just today Hortensia had been up early and was gently pottering about in what she called her garden. 'Just seeing how things are Dear' she smiled at Archibold's worried face 'I'm feeling much better now I know that some of the primroses are on their way!'

Gnomes adore Spring time and Hortensia longed for the brave cheerfulness of the first snowdrops and the creamy yellow of the gentle primroses. 'The frost and ice hasn't done any damage Darling, such good leaf cover that they are all safe and ready.' Hortensia sat down in her rocking chair by the front door, Archibold had very kindly brought it out so that she could sit in the morning sunshine. 'What do you think about a trip my Dear? It's been ages since we have been to see Eleanora, or even perhaps to see the sea?' Archibold smiled, there is nothing that stirs the heart of a gnome more than the thought of an adventure, 'My Dear Darling - simply a splendid idea!'

'SNOW DROPS, SNOW DROPS and VIOLETS.' Poor Stephanotis was quite red in the face what with the effort of shouting his good news as he passed every gnome dwelling and running at a fast trot at the same time. 'Snow drops AND Violets, you have to come and see....you must come.'

Well that was that, Hortensia stood up and firmly announced that, with the help of her walking stick and Archibold's arm, today was the day for her first walk since she had broken her toe! Archibold rushed to get their hats and a scarf and gloves for each of them, and arm in arm they set of to view the new arrivals.

After a little while, Hortensia felt a bit tired and so as she sat resting on a convenient hummock, she suddenly lifted her head with an incredulous smile. 'Oooh Archie, I can smell them....the scent of Spring, Darling we must go at once!' And with that they were off again and soon indeed they were joining other gnomes - all standing gazing up at the beauty of the white and green snowdrops and breathing in the sweet air of Spring!