Well, of course it’s not the actual Last Apple Tree, thank goodness, although there’s a fable lurking in that title somewhere. No, yesterday I went out walking with Father and Eldest daughter, late afternoon, and out of the grey, in the old orchard, there shone out one tree, bare of leaf, but with apples hanging on – they looked like baubles on a frosty bit of twig, as if decorated for Christmas, half unreal, half magical. I hadn’t got my camera with me, but vowed to head off out this morning early, while the frost was still around to photograph this tree…
…and so I did. Which was all a bit of a palaver, because I had to rush out as the kids were eating breakfast, with the frost still thick on the ground (cats waterbowl frozen over). My little car wouldn’t start first time (gasp). And a friendly neighbour offered me some warm water to help de-ice the thing. And now I know why people don’t recommend using warm water to defrost cold cars. Because the ice melts, then forms again, but this time as a thick shiny sheet. Which you have to pick off with your fingernails. It was like driving through a magic landscape, though, and when I got to the woods they looked beautiful. And when I excitedly reached the old orchard – well, as is the way of these things, the treasure had diminished somewhat. The light was different? The day was different? I don’t know, but although I do quite like some of the images I came home with, I was slightly disappointed by the tree ones. There is always photoshop to reckon with, though. If time, space allows, I’ll see if I can catch it again. I tried slightly today, but I’m never sure whether these things work or not. See below and make up your own mind.
Was it worth my fingers hurting from the cold? I think so. There’s always other treasure, if not the ones you initially expect. 
And the feeling of coming home to an enamel coffeepot on the stove, with proper coffee, in a warm kitchen. That was gorgeous.
