Trees: A two-fold story. First it's about an elderly father asking his young son to plant some trees. Then it becomes clear this is very closely related to the first story of the collection and we get some closure for Binny. A decent story in itself and very clever to interconnect the stories.

Joyce chooses to write about ordinary and forgotten people, but sometimes her vision of chavvy types doesn’t quite ring true, and when she isn’t being melancholy she’s twee. “Christmas Day at the Airport” was so contrived it made me groan. While I don’t think any of her books are truly great, they’re pleasant, relatable and easy to read.What I also loved is how clever they were all connected. Some of the characters who had their own story, would even for just briefly appear in the next one, entwining these stories into one beautiful and unique fictional world. I also loved the mysterious girl in red coat which appears in every story, either on a commercial, or a banner or in the garden.

Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers as they encourage plants to make lots of sappy leafy growth that is particularly susceptible to damage, especially early and late in the year. They may seem fragile but snowdrops are remarkably resilient and can survive the extremes of winter. Credit: ITV West CountryPrevention is far better than cure, so try to minimise the damaging effects of cold on your plants: Yes, I admit it, I do find that first fall of snow a magical event. I love waking to the quietness, the stillness of a snow covered winter morning.

This was how it was, she thought. People would find one another, and sometimes it would last moments and sometimes it would last years.”

Trees: As if Christmas wasn't wearing enough, now his elderly parent is asking for a hole in the ground … Father and son break old habits and plant a tree to mark the start of the new year. Viburnums are another broad species that has a number of varieties that flower in winter. One example is the Viburnum Tinus ‘Trevor Eve’. Around Christmas, pink buds appear, and then white flowers appear early in the new year. Viburnum care guide. Ii is lovely to see the sun shining on frost covered flowers, turning the garden into a spectacle of sparkling diamond jewels. I wander through, the fresh snow crunching satisfactorily under my feet. The stories are short yet amazingly complex and each one of them brings a huge message about life, family and love. And of course, all happen during Christmas and you can absolutely feel the Christmas spirit and that Christmas magic. The stories are full of clever symbolism, speaking about big life truths and making you think about your own life and the choices you make. I especially loved the first story, ‘A Faraway Smell of Lemon’ which got me crying big ugly tears. I found the story so emotional and heart breaking, I had tears rolling down my face while I imagined poor Binny and everything she’s going through.

I have to start this review with a humiliating admission - I have not read any of Rachel Joyce's other work. I know this is awful. I have a copy of The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry sat in my TBR pile and for some reason I just have not got round to reading it yet. I intend to rectify this very soon, having read A Snow Garden & Other Stories.Christmas at the Airport: There's a technical problem at the airport and everything is stranded and a baby is born. It's a modern version of the Christmas story with an added dose of Joyce cosiness. Children can now learn to snowboard in Soldeu and El Tarter from age six years and up! Will especially trained instructors, and plenty of fun activities, this is a great way to introduce children to snowboarding. Make sure tender specimens are planted in a sheltered spot, under large trees and shrubs or against walls, give them some heat and protection during the winter.