The next stage of the Guy’s Hospital project begins. Yesterday I collected the cut and shaped pieces of stainless steel from Kent WaterJet Cutters to start work on painting the petals and attaching them to the 100 small steel frames that will create the illusion of the cherry tree in blossom.

The waterjet process is fascinating. Computer controlled, an ultra high pressure jet of water cuts through the sheet of steel creating whatever shapes have been designed and fed into the computer. The precision is amazing and many thanks to Chris and his team.

I have now heard that Alan Titchmarsh (an old colleague from BBC Radio days in the 1980s) has agreed to unveil the work and Rowan Williams has kindly said that he will bless and dedicate it at a formal ceremony being arranged for the Saturday before Easter. So no pressure to get it finished!

Although I am having to pace myself. Just before new year I had 5 days in hospital following a heart attack and then two days at St Thomas’ hospital in London for 3 stents to be put in the blood vessels feeding the heart. All went well.

In 2 and a half weeks it is off to Cardiff to install two works at Llandaff Cathedral and then back to Unst before coming south again for the task of putting up the Guy’s work. I am hoping for good weather in Unst, at least for March 20^th as a 98% solar eclipse is due.