A season of mist and fruitful springiness

Such a long absence, I do feel apologetic; however, it has been filled with a birthday and Mother's day (UK) and a posh night away and parental visitings and so much else, that I don't feel too bad about it.
A couple of major things have happened in the garden in the intervening days. My lovely husband finished the rustic retaining log 'fencing' along the back boundary, and now all we have to do is fill in a couple of gaps and get rid of the piles of junk the work created. Here is the finished product:

 Don't ask about the white barrels, I have no idea. I think they must have had some bizarre idea that they would keep the posts from rotting, but really they're just as open to the elements. Think they may have to go...

Been having a few discussions about what to grow up against this huge fence. Bamboo? Clematis? Ivy? It has to love shade and not pull the fence down. Hmmm...

In other news, I planted two more trees in my orchard, (sorry, no pics) taking us up to 8. We have 3 standards - one conference pear, one Braeburn apple and one James Grieve apple. The other 5 are dwarf trees - another 2 Conference pears, a James Grieve crossed with something else, a black cherry (I can dream), and a Cox's orange pippin apple.

If you're looking at growing fruit trees, it's a good idea to get some advice on what grows best in your area from friends, neighbours and local suppliers. If you live near Sheffield, you can't go wrong speaking to Julian Brandram, and he sells all manner of marvellous, well-loved varieties. Here in Sheffield, it can get a bit breezy and a bit frosty. Now, I was told by a seller (not Julian) that conference pears wouldn't cope, but friends nearby have managed fine, so I've taken the risk - experience versus professional advice, and we'll see who wins. The black cherry is a long shot, and no-one I know has one, but I thought I'd be a rebel and give it a go. And I think Braeburns prefer more sunshine and warmth, but I will mollycoddle it.

My mother has supplied the standards - thanks, Mum! I bought and planted the others early last year because once upon a time, before we bought the house, I was working with some children in my Wildlife Watch group, and I asked them to draw their green wishes for the new year. This was mine:

Wish fulfilled! It will help us keep our fruit monster kids satisfied, as well - they cost us a bomb in fruit. 

I have two new projects: a rockery and a new flower bed, which I hope to get on with this weekend. Photos to follow. And the least beautiful but most happiness-bringing thing I've done to the garden over the last week? Provided the kids with a huge(ly unattractive) trampoline, to add bounciness to the springiness. Now that is all I see when I look out the kitchen window - but, hey, their faces make it all worth while, and this is a family garden, after all.