Lovely mission. Not far from where I live, I wasn't sure how much there could be to do in a small back garden, but that was before we saw the problem with the shed. How long has that elder been growing there, making it impossible to get into the shed? Would we dare to open it? Did we feel a cold sweat? Well, no, because it was really warm, and the sweat was mainly down to that.

Having some experience of getting our stumps, I headed back home to pick up some more tools, while Sam, Monica and Frances got on with cutting the grass and tidying up, while I lifted the paving slab in front, and got down to the roots. A stake down the back of the stump started to move it, then one root was exposed with some trowel work, and it was snipped with the loppers. Then on to the next root, and so on, until the last, and it was ready to lift. The paving slab was put back, and Mrs L found the key for the shed. To the sound of an ominous creaking were revealed ... some old tellies, and old gas fire, a strimmer (that would have come in handy), but sadly no cuddly toy. And no skeletons either.

At which point Mrs L came out with some lollies - should have been tutti frutti, but you can't have it all - and we had our photos taken. I'd also brought some rosemary cuttings as well as the tools, so I planted that as well