Regeneration

When we left Surrey in 2016 this familiar dog walking haunt was decimated (to me) when a huge stand of trees was harvested. My beloved walks suddenly became a moonscape and it was rather heartbreaking to visit it.

Well, look at it now! The birch has gone bonkers and there were at least three pine species plus other deciduous trees (oak, beech, rowan to name three) in the mix. Nature is ready and waiting to bring life and hope whenever it's given a fighting chance. And we were delighted that it's a mixture, not a stand of conifers.

We caught up with my two uncles and one's wife for coffee and then walked here. A very late lunch at 3:00, a whizz round some familiar shops (extra) and then to a friend's place for a long catch up with wine and food. Berry was so good and has an invitation to stay, even!

We've anticipated being Ciara-bound tomorrow and have bought a charity shop jigsaw for entertainment. Orcadians wouldn't think much of a 50mph blow, I'm sure, but the ground here is sodden and there are plenty available trees to come down!

Now back at the rented place, a bit tired (4hrs sleep max last night as B was a bit unsettled). I'm hoping for an undisturbed night tonight.

Extras: patchwork panel I made 20+ years ago for LD's teacher (she had a wonderful acronym for all her girls: Pretty Intelligent Girls. Probably all politically wrong these days but the girls loved it); Tanya in her 'dacha' (ie brilliant cosy garden shed) with Berry who just loved her; Oxted High St.