We have had the drought months, which have ravaged my once floriferous cottage garden. Now the autumn rains are stimulating rapid growth of every not so welcome plant that has any energy left.

The ivy is growing at pace, as if it’s in a race with Usain Bolt. Can I and my sequiturs keep cutting it back faster than it’s growing? It will be a close run thing. It’s into the gutters. It’s up the walls. It’s almost into the roof.

Then there are the climbing roses. They lull you into a false sense of security with their brief, but beautiful blooms. But, next comes the 100 miles an hour growth firing out at all angles. Over the upstairs windows. Over the front porch, thorns waiting for an unsuspecting delivery person. Ouch! Over the next door neighbours garden wall, out of reach before I can catch it.

Next comes the Holly. Self-seeded, uninvited and devilishly prickly. I might as well become a blood doner.

Finally the blackberry brambles offering a gift of juicy fruits in exchange for lots scratches on your reaching out arms and a few more drops of blood if the thorns get you.

Gardening can be a dangerous business !