a day in the orchard...

It was such a beautiful and day at BCB today, clear blue skies, no wind at all, but quite cold (barely 4c). So we decided to spend the day working outside.  Gorgous views to the Beacons !

Called into Dolau Hirion Fruit tree nursery, Capel Issac on the way, and bought 6 new Apple trees.
2 Discovery (MM106 rootstock)
2 Sunset (MM100)
1 Tom Putt (M111) , a Cider apple
1 Kingston Black (MM106)
A great place with a massive selection of fruit trees, and the owner was so very helpful and with deep knowledge. We will have to take our apples to him next Autumn to get them identified.

Ive been meaning to go there for a while, as we have a few "under-performing" apple trees that needed to be replaced. So dug out two sad creatures, replaced with 6 ...+4 for the orchard !

Also planted the potted Chrstmas tree, which is now Owen's official tree !

Our(4) children have a tree each, which somehow represents them.

• Tom's was the first to be planted, a Copper Beech, growing well, and over 8ft now
• Lloyd's Monkey puzzle tree was planted last year, and is just getting established.
• Alys has adopted a beautiful existing Sequoia at the bottom of the orchard, but the adoption ceremony has yet to be officially made !. So there may be a swap to a specific Alys planting at some point.
• Today we planted Owen's Christmas tree...he will come down with us soon to see that it is planted in the right place. 

We spent the rest of the time clearing brambles, tree suckers, and cutting back the two huge overgrown Budlliea near the front of the house. I got to use my new machete (Brazilian Tramontina) in anger...a fabulous tool, definately my new best friend !

PS...Unfortunately gashed my hand...no idea how ! (it wasnt the Tramontina in case your worrying)
This will also become a theme !!