Traffic lights

Dull grey and chilly but the foliage in this garden is amazing. These vibrant leaves are to be found in the extensive gardens of the 'big' house in the village, now owned by Graham Norton. Before he bought it, the house had been empty for 5 years and the gardens had run riot. Originally they must have been spectacular for they sweep down to the sea, have a river running through them and include some impressive trees. Graham has done up the house but I don't think he's a gardener!!! It's all a bit wild but very beautiful because of it and is full of interesting specimens - acacia, magnolia, tree ferns, enormous beeches, exotic winter flowering rhodedendron and lots of maples. You can see another view of it here complete with rampant tree ferns.

No rats today thank goodness, but the one that was brought in alive has not surfaced in any shape or form which is a bit worrying. The cats are looking insouciant.

Tonight's arthouse movie is Incendie - a Canadian film about a family with complex secrets and past. Apparently it punches ' a devasting emotional impact'. Phew.