Mourning the loss

We've had storms like never before recently and it prompted us to take a close look at some of the big trees in the garden. Most of them were here when we moved in over 25 years ago. They've become old friends - sentinels that we imagined would be there long after we're gone. The enormously tall beech have had a bit of a haircut but were declared sound.

Sadly the diagnosis wasn't so great for everything - we were told that three of our ancient cherry trees had to go. They were unsafe and should be cut down before they fell down. We shall miss the blossom come spring.

This is all that's left of one of them after a brutal few hours with a chainsaw. There's more to go so the garden will look worse before it gets better. On the positive side, the log store will soon be full again!

They say wood keeps you warm twice - once when you log it and again when you burn it. These fellows looked warm enough with all the exertion!

You can see why they had to go - the centre of the trunk was like sponge.

Of course, beautiful as the blossom is it's the fruit that we will miss the most.

Look good enough to eat don't they? Some years, if we could beat the squirrels and blackbirds to it,  we'd have so much fruit I'd make jam.

Of course they also turned up in my sketchbook on many occasions. So it's sad to see them go but it's opened up the view and made such a lot of space. Things have to change in a garden and often for the better! The tree surgeon is coming again in a day or two to make a start in the orchard. I'm assured scabby old apple and pear trees can be rejuvenated so with luck they may live to fight another day.

Meanwhile, back in the studio I'm busy getting pieces finished for various exhibitions and shows that will be upon us before we can blink. You know how it is, you book things sometimes years in advance but the day inevitably dawns when you need to be ready. It's important to prioritise to avoid sleepless nights and general panic! The first event on the radar is Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch at the National Exhibition Centre in March. It's a lovely show - one of our favourites because the exhibitions and stands are so varied.

This is one end of our stand last year. We had to battle deep snow and ice to get there each day - fingers crossed this year will be mild and springlike! We'll be demonstrating a variety of techniques and will have the embroidery machine set up and doing its brilliantly creative thing so if you can get to Birmingham please come and see what we're up to or just to say hello. 

Thanks for dropping by - Linda