In the earliest part of this year I wrote a list: some wishes, dreams and necessities for my garden. As ever life got in the way and the garden was neglected… in lots of different ways!

So September started with a few stumbles and missteps but I’ve got the arborist coming tomorrow. The sycamore is taller than a house. It needs pollarded to give our neighbours back some light.

The plum trees needing a good chop, as does the buddleia and privet things along the fence. There are things needing pruned but don’t tell anyone, there are things needing ‘deader’.

Brambles are growing like crazy. I thought I had killed them in March but seems I gave them renewed attention and they grew back stronger.

So that list hasn’t achieved much but I have made a few phone calls today. A step in the right direction. I will rethink the garden after I talk to some experts. As I am not one, an amateur enthusiast perhaps.