A promise of good things to come

Each of these blossoms could be a juicy apricot in July. About six weeks ago, I carefully pruned this old tree, cutting back the branches with only leaf buds and leaving the fatter fruit buds alone. It's also important to gently remove all of last year's dead leaves, or they will cause the young fruit to rot. It's a delicate job because the fruit buds are easily damaged, but it's one I always like doing. I'm thinking of that day in early July, when I go into the greenhouse, tug gently at a ripe looking apricot and put it into my mouth, still warm. Believe me, nothing like the ones you buy in a shop and well worth all the effort.