The week before Beth's holiday with Clive the weather was very pleasant for the Autumn - quite warm and sunny - so we took advantage and gave the holly hedge a severe trim and now our garden is at least 5 feet wider than it was. Frank did the heavy work and I supervised. In a couple of years the hedge should be compact and provide a good home for the local bird life as long as I remember to feed and water the hedge regularly next Spring and Summer.
We came across several blackbird nests - its incredible to think that they are able to build the structure when they only have a beak to manoeuvre the materials.
Last year a neighbour wanted to get rid of a clump of Pampas grass so she burnt it to a stubble and then dug out clumps of root. She presented us with one such clump so I planted it in a large stoneware pot and this year for the first time it has produced its iconic plumes - except they are about a quarter of the size they will be when the plant matures. It's a wise move to keep this plant confined or it takes over the garden!
Now I am back home for a few days I will be busy catching up with my OU work - having met the deadlines for the first two pieces of work (they have to sent by computer so you can't blame the postal service for late delivery)I want to make sure that I continue this good habit.
