Red Robin

STILL feeling ill, but definitely getting better (slowly). Managed to get out into the garden today. I had three jackets on and two pairs of gloves. Spent a good hour pruning back my dogwoods (they must be ten years old judging by the thickness of the stems). I've cut them right back to encourage young colourful shoots next winter (next winter he says .... huh ... that's assuming we have a spring, summer and autumn inbetween).

I like the Red Robin (Photinia fraseri). It is such a beautful and easy to grow shrub. Looks great next to the snow (which was melting by the time I ventured outside). We've taken lots of cuttings of this plant. A real gem.

We were invited to a Scout "film night" last night. I wanted to stay in bed. Just didn't feel up to it. Watched lots of slides of the Wisbech 3rd scouts off on their adventures over the last year. While I DO like climbing and camping and all that manly sort of stuff, I felt so sorry for them. Every slide showed them suffering in snow, howling wind or rain. "Survival training" is what they called it. Ten minutes out in my back garden pruning a dogwood would surely be a challenge for anyone in this weather!

They are off on camp next week. Poor things.