We have spent the last few days working on what is left of the leaves and tiding the composting area not to mention starting work on the hedges on the western boundary, but due to a technical hitch the hedge trimmer is back in the repair shop so we are left with loppers and the chain saw.  It is our intention to take this hedge down by some two to two and a half feet and this means cutting into some large stems along the way.  This will of course bring in more light in the summer especially in the kitchen garden.  The wood does take some processing but it is all good exercise especially as now for the next few days little will be done in the garden. I did that trick in counting the number of hedging species in any 100 paces to date the age of the hedge and it came up with 300 years which is about right for the age of the cottage, and after the week we have just put in on the garden it is about the age of the owners!  To anyone reading this may we wish you a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.