I am sitting in the under gardener's study and I cannot believe the difference in the garden that I can see from the window.  The Beech hedge which did not have anything but brown leaves on it a week ago is now a wonderful shade of green.  All the Alliums are standing tall and I spent a good deal of time yesterday staking things to make sure that they do not topple over.  I am rather pleased with myself for doing this as each year I leave it just a little too late and something flops onto something else and I could kick myself, but not this year.  I got some rough cut steaks from a local supplier and painted them all the same shade of blue/green so that they look good as they protrude above the plants ( not my idea, got it from Gardener's World! ). Better go and finish the job.  See you!