The garden is lush! Tidier than it’s been for several years. Still lots to do if I have the energy. And more will be done this month.

Tree surgeon is still booked in but even their job is easier with access ways cleared.

But sitting down eating a sandwich in the garden today is absolutely charming. If I block out all the traffic noises – trains, cars and beeping – I can hear bees and birds and gentle human chattering. Flapping of birds and chirrups all round. Idyllic.

I am doing some bits slowly as I know my limitations. No point overdoing it and taking days to recover.

I’ve pulled out more brambles from the overgrown herb garden and been engulfed by scents of rosemary.

There are also several fairly large apples I could investigate: have they escaped being pecked into by starlings? The ones that fall to the ground have largely been eaten by something so I’m not sure whether getting the apple catcher stick out is going to be worth it.