Most of this afternoon (into early evening) has been taken up with some tree surgery in a friend’s back garden. She had a Syringa (lilac) that had gradually got too large, casting shade and with the sweet-smelling blossoms out of reach. With the help of my trusty chainsaw, I brought it down to size (probably an hour or so’s work) and then I’ve been tidying up the pile of pieces.

All the “mess” is now at home – wood for burning, leaves for the compost and small branches to be chipped up for pathways. Hard work but I’m hoping that next year the plant will bounce back (it already has plenty of green shoots lower down, which I preserved) and be abundant.