There was no fall that year - there was nothing left to fall. In spring the garden was crawling with millions (?billions) of the newly emerged shiny, metallic blue predators. The trees did not bud; I thought they were dead. After about a month the beetles either died off or flew away to better pasture. Then, very slowly, the Alder buds started to unfurl, much later than usual. Just a few at first - testing the environment - then a sudden rush when they realised it was 'safe'. Clever, huh? 😊

@Moocher You've done better than me then 🤣 #birdsite #junkie

@johnfranklinwalker It's a fascinating subject, Bob. I've probably forgotten most of what I ever learned (and I've done many unrelated jobs) but 'Geologist' is what's going on my death certificate 🤣 Chris x

@kirsty Good luck with your studies, Kirsty, geology is God's own subject! Of course, it's changed an awful lot since I graduated - plate tectonics was a revolutionary new theory then 🤣 I envy you with it all still before you. Chris x

@[email protected], I thought so too!