Finally...

... the fallen trunk of the pine which Storm Eunice brought down on our roof in March has been cut up into large logs which we can split and use; the portion which was still upright has been cut down, and the huge pile of smaller branches has been shredded into a heap of wood chippings which we can use in the garden. It's been a long wait, but the tree surgeon and his assistant were very efficient and it's a relief that it is now in a state where we can deal with it, and that we no longer have a large pile of kindling just outside our timber framed house. There is still a lot to do, to move, store and use the wood and chippings, and to sort out the mess it has made of the garden, but it's now in our hands. I'd love to rethink the area, remove the self-seeded hawthorns, beeches and sycamores before they get too big, clear and replant borders; but the reality is that I rarely manage to get beyond growing and looking after the vegetable plants and picking and using the produce. Growing more food was the principal reason for wanting the large, south-facing garden for which we are now responsible, so it's reasonable to prioritise that, and I'm happy to have some wild areas too, but I wish I could somehow find more time for flower borders. I'm happy, though, that we can cross one big job off the long list; and also that I picked a big tub of large and beautiful redcurrants and enough raspberries for our dessert.