Worth the wait

Just over the last week I have had a real sense that winter has finally past.  This feeling has been a long time coming as winter 2016/17 seems to have been particularly long and dark. 

The first indicator is that it is light by 6.30 in the morning, and so it is much easier to get up to take the dogs out.  No more blundering around in the pitch black.  

Also, apart from some extremely strong winds, we have had a fair bit of sunshine over the last week, and these photos show what I have been waiting for!  Hooray!