A place of our own

We acquired an allotment last winter on which we erected a shed. Neither of us had ever had one before, so we were excited. We completely agree with Alan’s philosophy (Tales from Titchmarsh, November issue) that a shed should be a special place. Ours contains garden tools, an old bench with cushions, a pine cupboard, plus shelving all around, on which are tins of biscuity treats for us (and the dog). We love sitting in our cosy shed, drinking coffee and admiring all our efforts!

Alison Kent, Derby

I read with pure, happy nostalgia, as Alan told us about his garden shed. My dear old dad was a lovely but troubled soul after years serving in the Second World War. His happy place was his shed. He’d spend hours in there, honing pieces of wood with his lovingly cared for tools, all hanging neatly above his workbench. I loved the warm fragrance of planed wood and oily rags when I sidled in for a cup of tea and a chat.

Lyn Wylie-Hill, Cambridge

CHRISTMAS PUZZLES ANSWERS

Enjoy our festive brain-teasers on page 130.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES

1 Top of small tree

2 Left tip of bench

3 Pot of cyclamen on left

4 Bench strut

5 Fleece under jacket

6 Colour of right-hand pot

WORD WHEEL

Suggested words include: haslet, hasten, hustle, lathes, salute, sleuth, sultan, sunhat, unseat. All the letters: hazelnuts

MUDDLED PLANT LABELS

Erica carnea, Daphne bholua, Coronilla valentina, Nandina domestica

STEP BY STEP

There are several possible solutions, including: pear, peat, feat, feet, fret, free, tree

FESTIVE CODE-BREAKER

Thyme, Parsnip, Cinnamon, Brazil, Quince, Cranberry

CONFUSED CONIFERS

Blue spruce, Korean fir, Serbian spruce, Douglas fir, Norway spruce