that's what my brain and later the leaf ID app told me! Not sure about the catkins though, but there are loads in the park where I walk.....I'll see if I can find out any more....!

very chillly this morning! I got caught in a thunder/lightning/hail storm yesterday whilst out walking!

sideways rain here too this morning. I hope my outdoor seed trays are still where I left them. I've run out of greenhouse space, so the hardier ones are now outside.

I really hope so, it was bitterly cold cycling to work this morning.

Agreed OH, it has got very chilly today. I second the second jumper! Wet & windy here too, I can't even get in the greenhouse any more, so much stuffed in there! I hope the teeny lettuce & cabbage seedlings don't mind being outside.

OH, I just can’t deal with the classic fm jingle constantly playing!

Frustrating, weather isn’t it? I spent a good couple of hours in my wee greenhouse yesterday sowing seeds and potting on aubergine, chilli and cucumber seedlings. With radio 3 on, it was a pleasant afternoon.

I have lots of plans, and also 3 extra days off next week. I've seent he forecast....rain every day

gosh, those names are a blast from the past! Remember sprout wine?

I always enjoyed the re-runs, it is back on one of the freeview channels I think.

I've heard some unusual (for the burbs of west London) birdsong recently in the park. I always forget to take the monocular, so I have little chance of identifying them!

a mask is a must when dealing with ivy, all the dust & pollen collected and stored causes havoc withg your respiratory system. I'm sorry I don't have any stump killing ideas, I'd try to dig it out if possible, but right up against a wall, it's probably not. Good luck!

We had everything thrown at us at the craft market today. Glad I took my big coat. Looking forward to thawing out in the bath later.

I would definitely lift the crown up, as you describe, my parents had a similar tree, cutting out a lot of light, and it made a huge difference. You could maybe remove some branches to thin out the remaining top section and a lighter prune this year, and then take it back a bit more next year?

I've sowed aubergine, peppers, cabbage, lettuce, carrots & cucumbers (the wrong ones, so I'll have to re-do them!) this week, and tomatoes next week if I have time. The first aubergine sowing from last month are up and strong - I've popped them under a grow light in the dining room, so they have...