Nothing to do with Joe Root nor the Chicago to Santa Monica road, rather it felt like 66 visits to attempt to clear the ivy and its roots from Mr J’s back garden. I’ve had my ‘kicks’ and today was the the last of the root removal missions - there will be a final visit for tapping copper nails into the bits of ivy I didn’t remove from the apple tree as I was worried about damaging its bark, then it will be occasional weeding sessions.

It poured with rain and I don’t think that I have ever got so wet on a GG mission and the palms of my hands look jaundiced as the dye from my gardening gloves has seeped through.

Mr J was so pleased with the work.