I know it’s November. I feel it in my bones and when I went down the M4 yesterday I couldn’t see the wind turbine close to Reading for all the mist and fog. But even in the dark, tucked up warmly in my bed, I can tell it’s definitely November because the mistle thrushes have started to squabble in the holly bush behind my cottage. Their voices, like grating metal, carry in the moisture-laden fug and it happens every year.

These over large thrushes are vying for the berries , putting in their advance order. In the two or three weeks before Christmas they will gorge on the red bounty. But only if they win the fight with the other pretenders. Robins go through the same process with spindle trees, marking out their territory to lay claim on the fruit so that’s it available when they most need it. Robins apparently fight to the death.

The holly tree behind me might well be self-sown. It’s in no-man’s-land between cottages, and birds spread the seed with their droppings.

The branches of this one turn upwards and the deep-green leaves are margined in pale-gold. It’s one of the sharp-leaved hollies, Ilex aquifolium, and this is not a plant for the mixed border unless you have masochistic tendencies.

Evergreen holly looks wonderful in winter especially in the nothing months between November and January. The tree is slow-growing and the wood is pale, almost-white. Often used in chess pieces along with dark ebony, it is also used for tool handles.

The wood has fire-resistant qualities and a holly tree was often planted close to a house so that if lightning stuck it would hit the tree and not cause a fire. Holly was the great protector of buildings.

Many of us will be hanging up a Christmas wreath on the door and this tradition goes back to Pagan times.

This year Waterperry Gardens have a Christmas event on November 28 and 29 where the art of wreath making will be demonstrated (pictured) using material collected from the garden.

The rings are filled with moss and then individual pieces of evergreen are wired into the metal ring. Waterperry has its own wreath-making machine and at one time must have taken hundreds to the Covered Market in the city centre.

Affordable gifts will be on sale and Santa will be on hand for the children. Most importantly the Pear Tree Teashop will be dishing up festive fayre. The Best Beloved will do anything for a mince pie! Call 01844 339254 for further details.