Thursday 20th November

Great excitement today as the trees were being delivered to the allotment at 8.15 am.My gardening friend Di said she'd meet me down there and give me a hand. Good job as Peter wasn't feeling too good today - he's not a morning person anyway. It was so peaceful at that time and the sun was shining again - quite special really. We put the mulberry tree in first, positioned it towards the hedge and hammered in an 8 foot stake. Have you ever seen two girls with a mallet and a very wobbly stool? Di showed me how to fasten the band to hold the tree firmly to the stake. The plum tree and the golden gage were next. These are on dwarf root stock, so only needed a 6 foot stake. The peach tree is an espalier, so came with it's own support. Di had brought along some 'muck', so we added that around the base of each tree after planting. Apparently the wires will have to go in soon - I have to go back to the nursery in January for further instructions. After Di had gone I put in three small hazel bushes - two at the front and one at the back. I gave each tree some muck and some compost before watering them in well with water from the river. The gooseberry and the currants will keep for another day as they are all in pots.