With the manic laughter of green woodpeckers ringing all around me, I hand cut the overgrown grass this morning around the vines that we planted a few months ago. I uncovered the deep pink David Austen roses that we set at the end of each row and now I hope that I will be able to enjoy the blooms as they open. There are thistles to dig out but, having waged war in the orchard on Sunday with over a hundred thistles, these few monsters don’t stand a chance!

At the other side of The Gables Chris is painting the back gate and having a well earned coffee break.