Winter

I t's been almost a year, son, and I wish I was there to see the seasons change. If I was still with you, I would have watched you grow and learn over the past months, become the great man I always knew you could be. You'll have a busy season, we always do.

Keep an eye on the bark beetles, and especially near the saplings. The top field will be bushing out now, obscuring the view towards the lake. Shame, but in a few years' time, you'll have that view back for summer. The water glittering in the distance…if I sit up a bit, I can just see the edge of the treeline. It was always my favourite view, sitting in the kitchen window in the morning, watching the trees in the distance.

Anyway. Bark beetles and pests. Hopefully, you'll have some heavy frosts to kill the worst of them, but with this global warming, well, things don't always go to plan. Think about your pesticide schedule. Control your drainage.

Get the heating engineer in to check the radiators. I was never any good at that, and you know me and technology. Just get Roland in—he knows what he's doing.

You'll be fine. I know it. We always are up here. Nothing to protect us from that harsh winter wind, and the ground will freeze over even if we don't get much snow .

I always liked the snow. You and I always loved Christmas. I wanted to get you a gift, but the carers never have time for me to explain what I want. If I don't get around to it, I'm sorry, but you have my love, always.

Dad.

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