It is Shrove Tuesday today. While you flip those pancakes I hope you are thinking of what sacrifices to make during the holy season of Lent which begins tomorrow. Call me a gloomy old coot, but this is my favourite time of year. I love to watch during Lent the gradual awakening of the natural world from winter to spring. The liturgy of the Church reflects this profoundly as it slowly starts with the winter severity of Ash Wednesday and finally reaches the bloom and glory of Easter Day.

Picture is from V & A Museum leaflet from 1975, illustrated by Eric Ravilious.