Oh my! I popped over to see the tree today, slightly later than usual but all in all I got quite a shock. But before we get to that take a look at the rhododendrons that have started to flower along the path - fuchsia, white and the palest of pinks...

In the past as I've approached my tree, I've worried that I can't see it but not yesterday. I was expecting to see some shoots of green, as my own garden has burst into life in the past few weeks. But I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

Just look.

Yes. It's now a stump. About a metre high.

I wasn't expecting that. Just a month ago, it looked like a tree, with branches.

Looking back at the photos it had been pollarded before, but at approximately twice the height of what it is now. I wonder why it's been cut so drastically... I guess, I'll never know.

It left me quite stumped (pun not intended) for words. Well it would, wouldn't it? I wonder now, how long it will take for it to sprout new growth. I hope it does and doesn't just give up. I expect it will though - my tree is made of sterner stuff, I'm sure...

Anyway heading off, I was struck by how pretty the view towards Blackheath was:

But it did make me smile at how these daffodils were being kept behind the railings. For their safety or for mine, I wondered...

So that wasn't quite the update I expected to write and I'm already wondering what next month's update will bring...