Sunny

It has made a big difference that neighbouring landowner cut this stand of Douglas Fir back this winter. Although wood lorry coming at 6.30 yesterday morning to load up was too early.

‘Palude’ transposed in Tuscan to ‘padule’ means marsh, stagnant water etc. May also be root of ‘pallid’ as in an unlively complexion, still, stagnant etc.

Neighbour Vittoria passes as I’m cutting back rampant track verges. ‘Better if instead of this wilderness that money grew in our pockets,’ she says ruefully.