part of our front grassed area with the soft fruit on the bank in the middle of the picture			Gardening Keeping on top of our plot is a mammoth task and sometimes daunting. However getting out into the open when the days start to lengthen after winter is quite invigorating, especially when cutting back last year's dead growth and brambles to reveal nature's cycle beginning again. We have not yet delved into the bedding plants area because the majority of our gardening is not really the 'domestic' type and being surrounded by fields means that it is practically impossible to keep a flower bed which is free from grass and thistles. Keeping the boundary secure and in good order is more important and this involves a lot of hedge laying and maintenance. We have sought a happy compromise - until the availability of more time gives us more options - and that is to make use of flowering shrubs to bring colour to our gardens. Having stopped using the area at the front of the house for vegetables, we now have a central grassed area with a fire pit and we also have two flat lawned areas at the back since the paddock has been terraced. A garden is never finished. Having established the main areas of our garden, a development of over 20 years in the making, we can now afford to just think about where we want the colour and at what time of year, yet the shape and form of our small oasis in the desert of pastureland changes year in and year out since we are not avid pruners and tidiers. Gardening is good for the soul, although these days perhaps not so good for the back. When you are out there doing things in it the problems of the world dwindle into insignificance and when you sit back and admire it, it is a very peaceful feeling indeed.