Now that the geese have moved to the pond and Goose Island, I can turn my attention to the uncut grass and thistles that have plagued that triangular piece of land.  In the spring I dug out hundreds of tall thistles,with a spade and now I am cutting the grass and remaining weeds to tame the ground.  But on Monday, at the furthest, roughest patch I was viciously stung on my calf and “it really hurt!”  I even went to the chemist for some cream which helped to reduce the inflammation.  Today I set off to cut the orchard again and this time I was stung on both arms and on my back.  I screamed out loud, called for Jeremy ( who was indoors on the telephone) and ran in and found the antihistamine cream.  They are hurting but I am determined to cut that grass so, just now, I went back again and cut the top two thirds of the orchard and at the same time noted that the Victoria plums are ripening ……changing from green to blush pink and even plum red.

I lifted my hand to pluck a succulent plum from the tree and……..my enemy was waiting, hiding inside the fruit. So it’s war on the ground and above the ground and we shall see who wins!