As I am still hobbling in a pathetic old woman sort of way with an inflamed tendon (two years!!!) I seized the opportunity to persuade a nephew to take pity on me and save himself some time at the gym by helping me shift the heavy stuff in the garden as I try and get it ready for planting for next year.

We (he doing, me directing operations, my favourite part) started with the old walnut, getting it out of the lawn and up to the compost pile into a dead hedge in the hope that the many THOUSANDS of insects in it can stay in their home over the winter. And perhaps the odd other creature as well.

Now just awaiting the 240 hedging plants. Nephew has left, I’m on my own, thinking about that hedge with a certain amount of trepidation.