April 25th

Dear Heidi,

We have finally got Spring! The first daffodil is out in the garden, I have hung my laundry out on the line! Today Pappa and I have spent the day working in the garden, tidying and cleaning up in the greenhouse. Yes, it took all day! Pappa found a gigantic frog in the far depth of the back corner, which he popped into the pond. The bees are humming and the birds are busy in their nest boxes. Next doors cat Phillipa is expecting kittens again soon.

In the henhouse, the eight new white hens are finally getting the confidence to spend more time outside, but so far only one seems to be laying. I sincerely hope we haven’t been given 7 roosters!
Nevertheless, one newlylaid egg is very welcome every day.

D is working in Oslo, trimming the trees in Spikkersuppe, in Karl Johannesgate, where the ice skating rink is. His trip to Bergen is put off. He is a little disappointed, but I am glad to have him home still. One good thing about it, for him, is that he has met some other newly qualified Arborists that have also applied to do the course at the school in Hardangerfjord in the autumn.

Well, tomorrow I am meeting A in Bjørkelangen, to have coffee and visit the greenhouse at the VGS, to buy geraniums. I must also start some seeds off, now that the greenhouse is ready! The usual selection: runner beans, courgettes, sweet corn, kale and chard, salad stuffs, carrots and parsnips....
And quite a few other things too.

So another busy day ahead. I sincerely hope that you are getting ahead with all your revision, and that now you have Miss Kendall to teach history and geography you are enjoying those lessons again! I have still not heard anything about those exams, but keep studying. It will all come in somehow!

I send you all our love, in great anticipation of seeing you in just a few weeks now!
Your own Mamma.