Nature Blog by Jenny Bourne

It has been more than a month of seemingly relentless rainfall; this was the waterlogged scene yesterday morning near the entrance to the site. After a grey and damp start the sun actually came out to make a pleasant day on the plot.

An annual inspection and maintenance work has been carried out on our SE perimeter mixed-species native hedge, after the planting of more whips to fill gaps last autumn.

A bitterly cold ‘Arctic blast’ to herald in the New Year with -5C overnight temperatures in the London area and no luck trying to dig up parsnips for supper:

Cards written and sent, mistletoe and greenery wreath up on the front door, mince pies made, gifts wrapped…

‘The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown’…and we’re bringing in the evergreens for the festive season – holly, ivy and mistletoe as well as the firs…