The bark-blanketed garden from the kitchen window.

That looks so neat and tidy :o)

That's so nice with the pale winter light, Karen :)

so wonderful - your grass certainly picked up a lot!! It could be early spring looking at this

Very tidy - as usual!!

That will keep the border snug for the winter.

I am so glad I did the bark this year. Haven't put a mulch on for the last five years, and some of that lot is still there, but it makes so much of a difference to the look of the garden in winter and yes, it keeps the frost off the plants too! I've still about a quarter of it to do...hope the bark comes tomorrow. I put up the Christmas tree today, and tomorrow I'm going to the Click-Sergeant Carol Concert in the Caird Hall in Dundee....so that's Christmas started now. Still time to get that bark down though! :)) Terrible black ice on the roads and pavements this morning. :(

I do like the use of bark, we have put three bags down, could do with a ton it has barely covered the bed.

Christmas has started here too...all the waitresses at the boat club are sporting red furry cowboy hats trimmed with white swansdown...and they've hung up icicle lights - very surreal...

Yes DD, I noticed your bark. I've had a tonne bag, a 2/3 tonne bag, and now I'm waiting for another 2/3 tonne bag! Blooming expensive, but it will last another five years, if I don't dig it up too much planting more plants!! :))

Karen, that sounds really weird...do you feel as though you are living in another dimension?! Will you be able to visit France at all, or will you just stay put in Africa all year around?

The bark has given it a really good finished look Karen...I have, I must admit planted a couple of Roses, but carefully removed the bark onto a compost bag, dug the holes, planted, and put the bark back, and it looks just as good...

I must admit that I'm finding it hard to get the Christmas spirit! Going back just after New Year to France and Scotland...and then again for most of the rainy season here...summer there - best of both worlds!

Ah, good - sounds like a plan Karen! :)

Thanks Crissue....er...I wonder if the bark is still in the garden, or if the wind has blown it all down to my neighbour's garden! :O

Saw it on the news...how bad is it, Karen?

I could see flying Crab apples earlier and I'm down south compared to you!

Its bad Karen and Annie. I am praying for my Fatshedera! No trees down yet in the garden, and my car is still on it's wheels on the drive. Hopefully soon it will start to ease a little. I find strong winds very scary tbh...rather have thunder and lightening any day. :(

I just watched the news hun...thinking of you x

Me too x

It's calmed down a lot now ladies, and it never was as bad as it was in Edinburgh and Glasgow. OH said he couldn't even feel the car being rocked by the wind...he thinks it was 'a bit gusty'....honestly, what are blokes like?

Am watching the early morning news here Karen...and the strong winds have done a lot of damage in parts of Scotland...Can you put your Car in the garage, for safety...tho I just saw a row of garages, with their roofs ripped off...but not house attached tho...We haven't experienced any bad weather at all, just Rain...keep warm keep safe...

Thanks Crissue...it's all died down now thank goodness. I wish we could get the car in the garage, but it is choc full of assorted 'stuff' aka rubbish that OH won't let me chuck away! lol ...we're all fine, no real damage done, just furniture and leaves and rubbish all over my garden! :)) 13,000 people in Argyll are without power today! eeek!