Despite being completely surrounded by the things, Mike and I just hate cutting down trees - especially this one in Colin's garden.  When we arrived in Carradale Colin had this little cottage (both parts) and every year he brought his Chrismas tree in from the garden, then put it back out again.  And when he died it just grew and grew..........until it got just too tall.  So with each winter gale we got more concerned - as did the Insurance Company - and we felt it had to go.  Fortunately Euan, our neighbour, is a total tree expert and as you can see he did the job impeccably.  I had envisaged chopping it down with a large axe and hoping it fell the right way!  Clearly not the way it's done nowadays.

So, a bit more sun for the cottage, and we're  going to the Tree Shop to chose a special replacement which will still be known as 'Colin's Christmas Tree'