Knackered!

When we first bought our house, two of the boundaries were lined with huge, light-absorbing conifers.  We dug the ones behind the flower border out some years ago and recently, after getting our neighbour's permission - they're actually on her side - we entered the final phase of the conifer-eradication programme.  Alastair and John cut them down to stumps back in February, and today we decided we could no longer pretend they weren't there.  War was declared.

I started at one end.

Alastair started at the other.

And after a couple of hours of sawing, digging, sweating and panting we still had four to go.

At this point a tea-break was called, and then it was back to work until they were all dug out.

It's back again tomorrow to do something about the fact that Yvonne's garden now looks like the Somme!

Meanwhile in the front garden, clematis montana is flourishing, and my tulips are all red and lovely.