Who killed cock Robin ?

For those of you who have been following my blog, you will be well aware of the trials and tribulations associated with my recent efforts in securing new material trees for the nursery. I think this culminated in the trees with no roots saga, and the trees that were delivered but weren't delivered story, which sounds very much like a line from Peter Kay. Remember the 'Tour that didn't tour - Tour!
Well to quote my Mother bless her "Well Steve, look on the bright side, it can't get any worse".
Well on Thursday it got worse. I might as well give you the full story.

The consignment of yamadori trees that I had secured from the Pyrenees were to be delivered on Thursday, and the depot in Birmingham called me to ask if I would need a tail lift to unload the 7 tonner they were sending. My first response was to ask them if they had not read my delivery instructions that I had given them. Which specified, "your smallest vehicle that has a tail lift and a fork lift for the crate". They had already tried to deliver a consignment before at the end of last year expecting me to unload the lorry. And now they were about to deliver a second time not even having read my delivery instructions. So reiterating my delivery instructions to the guy at the Birmingham depot, i.e. "you will need a tail lift and pallet fork lift". I waited for the arrival of the consignment in a few hours time.
Well the delivery company arrived two hours later with the container. There was no tail lift or fork lift to unload the container, here we go again. So rather than send everything back and wait another day I opted to unload the container a tree at a time and then push the container of the back of the lorry or let the guy take it away.
Anyway pinch bar and hammer in hand, I jumped up onto the back of the lorry to take the lid off the huge case. I noticed straight away gaps between the lid and the sides where someone had tried to force the lid. I commented to the driver that this was the case and I foolishly suggested that it was probably Customs officers looking for illegal immigrants stashed away. However on taking the lid off the crate it was obvious that there were trees missing. There were blank spaces where trees had once been and the steel securing wires used to stop any trees moving about and getting damaged had been cut.
So yes it just got worse.
Kath and Malcolm Hughes have kindly put out a flier to everyone in their email address book just to make people aware of the theft and I also posted on FACEBOOK.

To clarify the situation, it is yamadori Scots Pines Pinus sylvestris that have been stolen. They were taken somewhere between the South of France and my home. The police are unable to assist unfortunately, but understandably I guess.
So with my Mother ill, my daughters mysterious 2 month illness, trees with no roots and now stolen trees, things occasionally feel a bit shit! I sat down the other day and thought to myself I must have killed cock Robin. But you know what, it's not all about me.
For those of you who have sent get well wishes or simply enquired how my Mom and daughter are doing or  who have expressed shock regarding the tree theft, thank you for your concern. And those of you who haven't, your silence speaks volumes! Yes I am pi..ed off at the moment.

For all you picture freaks, here are a couple of the new Sabina Junipers.

I think both of these will make very very good bonsai in the future. These are two of three I have left, the others are now all sold.









Last Sunday I was up with the Wirral guys for a workshop which was a nice distraction for me and it was nice to catch up with them. There are some serious bonsai lovers up there, who want to learn and improve and their club show is a credit to them. I think I have judged the last two annual shows for them, and it is always good to see a good level of trees from such a small club.

Here's some faces you might recognise.

Here Bill Gordon and Sean Dring are deep in concentration. Please save this picture to your desk tops as it captures that rare occasion when Sean is not talking bonsai! Or just talking for that matter.

On the right here we have Doug Mudd working on his Taxus. Doug spent quite some time with a chisel in his hand working on the deadwood on this tree. I expected him to end up with a nice table, such was his concentration.
Anyway guys, thanks again for your hospitality.
For those of you who have never been to the Wirral BS show, check out their website for the date and put it in your diary. It is not a big show, but it's lovely and the guys are friendly and welcoming.



Before I go, just a short note to all you guys who either emailed me or sent text messages about my negative comments about your trees at the Swindon show. Go back and read that particular blog again several times please and then email me or text me again to apologise as I did not mention YOU!
However if you got the impression I meant your trees, then ask yourself why you would think that. Maybe I touched a nerve or got you thinking, and if I did great. That is what I want people to do, to talk, discuss, rethink and debate.

Do any of you remember this tree?

Well if you do, this is me getting it all wrong!
There is an obvious disparity in the 'texture' of the foliage and the crown is a bit too wide for the tree just for starters. Although this tree has won awards, I exhibited it prematurely. This tree was the big turning point for me not to rush. But just so you know, I am my biggest critic!

Update
Here are two pines that were stolen on route to me.

This one here on the right is in a cut off plastic barrel which gives some idea of scale. Two people would have been needed to take this one.






Photo of Pinus pentaphyla courtesy of Willy Evenapoel, Noelanders Trophy .