I was determined to turn over a new leaf this year and make sure I am better organised. It’s almost March as I write, and there is no sign of this working yet. Life seems as hectic as ever.
I will never complain about being busy and I love that fact that my book, Following a thread, is whizzing out of the door and that I had stupendous four days taking part in Mrs Parkman’s Needlework Academy last autumn… but I must admit to being exhausted. I know that 75 is only a number but perhaps I need to either take more water with it or manage my time a little better this year.
One of my plans is to rearrange the garden and make it a little more low-maintenance. I love my garden but goodness me, it has been crushing not being able to keep up with it. I took it as a sign that it was time to make new plans when high winds and the drought last summer claimed the laburnum tree planted the year we moved into Pinks Barn. It just keeled over. A self-seeded cherry tree overhanging the greenhouse had also had its day.
Enter the wonderful Lewis Dalton-Filsell (Arboreal Tree Care) and his team of tree surgeons who have changed my life. The ancient apple tree, the laburnum, most of the cherry tree and baby sycamore are now no more and are stacked as logs, the perfect size for our wood burners. The garden is so light and airy and I have quite different views from the house.
Next came help from a local professional gardener to create a very different look. I now have a new wildlife pond just outside the door and, with luck and a following breeze, I will be able to add the plants and border greenery fairly shortly. I am told that March is the time to start, so fingers crossed.
