For the first time, I looked into the well. It is deep.
The walls are beautifully put together in local stone, with footholds all the way down. M lowered the bucket and collected some water, but not much because the level is rather low (although there has been a lot of rain). I think the road surface prevents the water from soaking in: when the rain is heavy the lane becomes a small river which debouches in the field down in the valley, and sometimes floods it. M sent a camera down on the bucket-chain, and video'd the descent - a slow spin of pale stones and a splash into the water. The soundtrack is lovely; a recording of inside the well would be excellent for editing into music.
Looking round the garden, you can see the effects of the early winter followed by a slight warming-up: the trees and shrubs are in bud. The trees are in dire need of pruning (both cherry trees are much too tall, and at risk from the winds), and it should be done before they wake in the spring and start budding; usually December-January is a good time for pruning, but now it seems the chance has been missed. Besides, there is still winter to come, and it will kill the buds. Last spring the nectarine lost all its fruit in a late frost, and I was so much hoping that it would be alright for next year.
