Garden achievement - unlocked

I'm happy enough with where we are now, compared to where we were before. This area should mature nicely over the next couple of years. I am only sorry that I don't have a "completely before" photograph. When we first arrived here, there was a huge forsythia in that corner (which was finally dug out a few weeks ago, but we cut it right back the first spring we were here). It just was not very attractive (apart from the brief flowering of its blossom) and it was so dominant in the space that it precluded conceiving how we might start again, which is what we have finally managed to do.

At various times, part of this area has been a dumping ground to enable garden works elsewhere: it accommodated a tonne of sand in a bag when we started work on the back; then it was used by those who were ripping up the crazy paving and relaying the patio to stone slabs for their equipment including the cement mixer. Now, with most of the stumps removed, a wee retaining wall built, and fully dug over, it's turning into a pleasant corner, with a variety of plants, some older and some newer, including the magnolia stellata which norfolkdoc and W kindly left with us when they collected their plants. Going in and out of the front gate used to be a pretty frightful experience, especially after it had rained, when there would be a big puddle behind the gate. Now it's a pleasure. One of the projects for the next period of time will be to get the two gates replaced.

No garden work today apart from a tiny bit of weeding. I was fully occupied with other stuff at my desk, although I'll confess that included completing my tax return. Really happy to get that done before the end of the summer period. Mr A went out onto the peninsula to collect our hanging. We are contemplating where it might go. It's not wholly clear yet, but ideas will come.

In the evening, L and J came round for supper. We enjoyed a lovely lamb roast courtesy of Mr A. J is the primary local historian, running the Tain Museum, website and social media. He really is a fount of information. It was fascinating, not least as I read his recent lengthy text on Dr Elizabeth MacBean Ross. She was an amazing woman. That text - primarily compiled from primary sources - really deserves a wider audience. It was a fun evening.