Living and Gardening in Brittany

Yesterday I cut about half of the 5,000 square metres. It was really difficult because it was long and wet but it does look better. I had to stop frequently to free the blades. I foolishly did not wear gloves and now I can't get my hands clean. I have tried ajax and bleach. Nothing works. And today is open day at the library. A friend has just told me to try lemon juice.

I picked the last five apples from a tree which had no leaves but the remaining apples looked like Xmas decorations. I managed to prune the apple trees today, hopefully, correctly. It will be the first time that I have done it both at the right time and the right way. I have two old cider apple trees. I never prune them but perhaps I should because they have so much fruit that the branches break. Last year one of the branches was so loaded that the branch bent so low that it reached the ground but didn't break.

Went to the tree nursery and bought 25 hornbeams. A friend bought 3 of them and I have just finished planting the rest today. I am researching cameras so that I can take photos as I go along. If I was advising someone who was creating a new garden I would tell them to plant hedges or erect fences to make sure all plants would be protected from the wind. If only I had begun this way my garden would be so much further on now. It wouldn't matter if I was younger but the trees are planted now and I look forward to seeing them grow thick enough to shelter my flowers and shrubs from the harsh winds.

I have made good progress and dug about ten metres but changed my plan. I shall use this plot to plant shrubs and I have begun to dig another plot nearer the edge by the road to complete the line of trees along the boundary. I plan to go to the pepiniere (tree nursery) on Sat. Life here is so busy I haven't had time to go before nor to write this blog. last weekend was non stop. Sat am- committee meeting Sat pm - workshop French/English Sat even - Meal for committee at Isabella's Monique stayed the night and we had a late breakfast then a stroll around the garden. It was verrrry cold but beautiful as there was a heavy frost. Sun - Lunch at Isabella's followed by a walk  all very enjoyable. Then the week begins with:- Monday morning - conversation class in Loudeac Tuesday - daytime - library duty                  - evening - badminton Wednesday  Line dancing Thursday - meal and danc...

Monday I replanted 6 trees from the drive to the maze wood. Today I began to prepare the ground for the new hornbeam hedge. I lifted one square metre of turf.

Library meeting at 9.30 for planning the Porte Ouvert.  Then Dentists at 11.00 followed by shopping. A quick lunch then back to the library to open for the OAP's. Cancelled the meeting to plan the conversation class because I was shattered. and people ask, 'What do you do out in the country all alone.'