A clematis pole

This dead tree was here when we moved in.  It had a clematis growing over it last year, but it was so ancient and woody that it was 90% stalk and only about 10% leaves and flowers.  I tried to prune it back but I must have cut something I shouldn’t because there is no sign of it coming back this year.  So today I cut it away, together with all the old tree branches, just leaving some stumps jutting out.

This is going to be a climbing pole for two new clematis which we will put in next week – I thought a pink one and a white one.

J worked very hard today.  He has finished the garage door and the one leading to the lane at the back and is now working on the garage window sills.  After all his exertions he sat down on the garden bench for a brief rest – and within moments Saphy was on his knee.

I collected all the branches up from pruning – from just one tree there are two large green bags – more than enough to fill my little car Gertie and take to the tip.  At least there seems to be petrol back in stock in Tesco’s – the last couple of weeks it had been like war breaking out there.