Before now I always wondered why people spent so much time clearing up fallen leaves, after all they rot don’t they. However, I noticed the depth and impenetrability of the leaves under the horse chestnut tree and realised that if I didn’t clear them up then the grass would suffer. So I spent an hour moving about a dozen barrow loads to a leaf pile. The leaves were extremely robust and almost waterproof and I realised two things; 1) this garden is going to make me very healthy and slim if I keep up this hard work- better by far than a gym, 2) the amazing cycle of nature- these leaves much have taken so much energy and resource to be made by the tree in Spring only to be shed in autumn so I won’t waste them.