The worst of the recent wave of storms has passed, but it's still winter, and I am still in the Hebrides, so there is no point getting all spring feverish just yet.

That said, there are bulb shoots poking up all over the place - snowdrops nodding away in every nook and cranny, and the first of the early crocus flashing a bit of welcome colour.

The first tray of leeks have germinated, and have been replaced in the propagator by another - Musselburgh this time.

I bought the seed potatoes this morning, when I was in town. I went for my favourites - Charlotte and King Edward, as usual, but I decided to give Sharpe's Express a whirl as my choice for first early this year. I’m seriously thinking about adding some Maris Piper too - talk about living on the edge…

Anyway, I set them out in trays, propped up in saved egg boxes, while they chit, and I think about where they could be planted. In front of the potting shed, maybe?

Traditionally, potatoes are planted on Good Friday in Scotland. I don't think there's any special significance in this, other than the fact it is the first public holiday in Spring, so, people had the day off and could catch up with garden work. This was obviously back in the day when annual leave arrangements were not quite as flexible as now. I think Easter is early this year, so we are potentially just over 6 weeks away. I highly doubt I'll be ready by then.

Otherwise, it was a normal Tuesday - gym, shopping, takeaway coffee, home, housework, laundry etc. Sorted the potatoes, sowed the leeks and looked out root-trainers for the sweet peas and broadbeans.

The winter crops haven't done very well this year at all. The chard is just beginning to put on some growth, and I'm still picking leaves from one of last year's dwarf kale, which appears to be indestructible. I have two purple sprouting broccoli plants that look like they might sprout any day, but the ordinary broccoli and autumn sown kale have been eaten, and not by us - possibly slug damage. Its very disappointing.

Not much else to report since last week. The weather has been bad, so we've mostly just stayed indoors, or around the croft.

Dinner was steak, bacon, chips and kimchi, with a blood orange for dessert. I bought marmalade oranges today, so might give that a go in the next few days. Stay tuned for that excitement …