February

Carnival time. Everywhere is full of people disguised in bright costumes — even tiny blue werewolf and pink bear babies in prams. The energy is wonderful and so are the sugar-dusted cenci piled up everywhere.

The fields, less dressed, have given little. We rely on the richer months, when abundance was beautifully preserved — and on the simplicity of the rosemary and sage bushes which never leave us without. And there still are the orange and citrus colours which brighten up things a bit, and some winter vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, that last throughout the season.