We had a big weeding morning today, having started the battle with the long borders. These stretch the entire width of the house and they flank a 40m sunken path that runs along the eastern side of the property. The beds are filled with a complete mish-mash of shrubs, trees and flowers. It makes no sense at all but I love it.

I had some help in the shape of Ali & Scout. Weeding these beds is my most dreaded task, so it’s a great relief to have a co-weeder for this job. Neither of us can kneel so we adopt our favourite positions. Ali sits on a low seat and I bend over with straight legs. We have a friend who says you have to stretch your kidneys at the beginning of the vine-pruning season and this is much the same. I’m not sure that’s an accurate medical phenomenon, but you know what she means. As a result we weed in 90 minute chunks each day. With a bit of luck it won’t take us more than about ten days. I finished one bed today and topped up the pine bark mulch, so that’s looking good.

Our ride-on mower is on the blink again. I’ve already replaced the starter solenoid and the starter motor, after which it worked a treat for about a month. Now it’s exhibiting the same flaw again. It won’t start. So I’ll take it to the mower-mending boys in Herepian. I don’t want the grass to get out of hand so I spent the afternoon strimming.

I finished moments before a huge rainstorm. I knew it was on the way when I saw this vertical cloud heading for us.

This evening I have soaked some red sweetcorn seeds ready for sowing into modules tomorrow. It’s good to see that the broad beans are coming on well. Only a couple of weeks or so before we can start harvesting them