Prayer to St Catherine

Here in France there is a saying (which doesn't translate too well, "à la Sainte Catherine, tout bois prend racine") about planting trees on St Catherine's Day 25th November.

So, OK we've missed it by a few days, but today we planted the Himalayan Birch in the "Japanese Courtyard"!

We want the tree to be in a raised stoney mound which is why it looks like I've made a mini-volcano.

I have to continue building up the 'mound' before we order a lorry-load of stones (castine) and I am aware that the Head-gardener has a slightly different idea to mine, of how this project will finish, so I am sure that there will be a few 'discussions' on the subject before it is finished.

You vill be kept informed!!!!