The unprecedently-mild and sunny weather we luxuriated in a week ago enabled us to proceed with outdoor fall work we don't normally tackle with that kind of enthusiasm brought on by the enjoyment of being outdoors in such unanticipated conditions.

It's time to put the gardens to sleep. Cutting back the perennials so they're in good shape to face the coming cold snow-covered months of interrupted activity.

It seems sad to do that when things still look fairly good, but better when it's done at such a time than when the really frigid weather has set in, when frost has made mush of the annuals, making it difficult to dig them out and dispose of them cleanly.

So the initial job of tidying up and making everything presentable was begun. By no means completed, but a start was made, and in so doing, a sense of satisfaction was accomplished. It's a beginning, there's plenty more yet to be done, but all in good time.

Now that we're back into cold, blustery and very wet weather it's a matter of awaiting those windows of opportunity. Which seem frustratingly few, truth be told.