What a difference fresh eyes make.....

A couple of weeks ago, my dear friend Lizzie came to stay for the weekend. She is a mad keen gardener like me, and so I was picking her brain about what to do with various "problem" spots around the garden. She very quickly came up with ideas for the fence that joins to our neighbor's orchard. It has been bothering me that when I stand at the kitchen sink, this is what I see.

before

Not very inspiring! The green sheeting is to keep their goats & dogs in. Does the job, but not very pretty. With a trip to the hardware shop for some nature reed, wire & pliers we spent a couple of hours chatting, snipping & tying.  So after a window wash and a couple of warm spring days, here is the result.

after

With the blossom on the fruit trees, the fresh growth on the Japanese Honeysuckle and Lizzie's styling of the potted blueberry and cyclamen, I can't help but smile when I'm doing the dishes now!