Mark Murphy's future plans after last BBC Radio Suffolk show

There are signs of spring everywhere with daffodils and lambs being born but we haven’t yet had a day when the mercury rises enough to think about getting a pair of shorts on, that is unless you’re a postal worker who seem to wear them all year round.

I always look forward to that first really warm day of spring which finally signals the end of another long winter.  

Mark says spring is good for the soul

I love this time of the year. It feels a bit like we’re coming out of hibernation with so much to look forward to. We can nearly touch those lazy warm summer days ahead.    

Things always seem a bit more optimistic at this time of year. 

It hasn’t been a particularly harsh winter, but we have had strikes and the cost of living has impacted on many families' living standards, so I think we could all do with a bit of a reset.  

Attractions are starting to open up for the Easter holidays.

I paid a wonderful visit the other day to the Ipswich Transport Museum. They’ve been working hard over the winter to spruce everything up for their forthcoming visitors.  

Likewise, the Leiston Long Shop Museum opened up for the new season last weekend with some of their attractions in full steam.   

Mark says Suffolk has some great places to visit this spring including the Leiston Long Shop museum (Image: Archant)  

It’s also the time of year things start bursting into life in our gardens and I’m itching to get out in mine but at the moment it’s been too wet. It’s certainly been too wet to mow the lawn and it’s at this time of the year I wish I’d serviced the mower before putting it away. Will it work, or won’t it? It’s a bit like getting the Christmas lights down from the loft! 

I’m hoping now I’m leaving the BBC tomorrow I’ll be able to have a little bit more time to spend in the garden.

I’ve got a small veg patch in the back garden at home and over the years it’s always been therapeutic getting my hands dirty.

I’m already harvesting rhubarb and I’m hoping to get some seeds in soon.

Do you remember when we went into lockdown for the first time? The weather was gorgeous and we all started gardening but the garden centres were closed? You couldn’t get compost for love nor money!

Gardening and walking are real treats, he says (Image: Archant)

It was amazing how connecting with the natural world helped us through that very tough time. Walks in the country became popular too and at this time of the year there’s nothing better than getting some fresh air in your lungs. After a pretty grey few months, these things really lift my mood and make you feel much positive. 

The other thing to feel optimistic about is my beloved Ipswich Town who are still in contention for automatic promotion. Teams around them have stuttered a bit in the last couple of weeks and fingers crossed for all three points against Derby County today.

I’m certainly renewing my ITFC season ticket.  

Mark is looking forward to the rest of the season (Image: Archant)

So, if you are feeling a bit low at the moment, take a deep breath and head out to the garden or woodland and reconnect with Mother Nature. I’m sure it will help. It does for me.  

I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been in touch about me leaving the BBC. My last show is this Sunday.

I hope you can tune in, I think it’s going to be an emotional ride!