Back to Burma

Mason and I went back in March - his fourth time and my third. Toe was our guide again and we returned to some favourite places - Bagan in particular - but also Sagaing and M, near Mandalay. The people were as charming as ever; the situation as puzzling; and adventures as prolific.

The Crowsnest survived our absence, inspected regularly by Paula and Beth, Roy and the boys, and Carl. There has been a lot of growth over late summer and autumn. We had at least an inch of rain in both January and February then a dry patch. We particularly notice how the trunks of many trees have thickened up this last year.

Now winter approaches. We intend to focus on the bush finger - increase the beech forest by perhaps 12 mountain beech; plant another 100 pioneers and more flax in the valley bottom. If we see any rare or interesting oaks, birches or cornus, we'll add those to our collection. But we will concentrate on the bush finger.