Sunny.

It's been sunny again today with a very cold north wind blowing the clouds briskly across the sky.

I've spent a lot of time out in the garden. Initially I intended just to move the acers back up on to the decking but it was a good opportunity to have a thorough tidy. Well wrapped up with padded knee protectors I worked my way around all the corners picking up the soggy leaves that had accumulated over the winter. I also combed through the ornamental grass with my fingers to remove the dead stalks and any overhanging ivy stems were cut back too. I finished off by squeezing into the gap down by the side of the conservatory to clear the leaves there. That was not too bad until the handle of the mini yard broom broke off where the wood had rotted away. 

I know that people don't consciously look to see how tidy your garden is but I hope it works on a subconscious level making it easier to imagine using the garden as an outdoor living space. 

Having planned our new front door I wasn't completely convinced. The choices seemed too traditional or should I say old fashioned. Today I went back to the sites and tried out some more contemporary designs even adding colour. I like the grey but cheery red isn't bad either and would tone with the roof tiles. Peter prefers these ones as well and as we don't have to decide for a little while we can mull them over before choosing.