Good morning Mick and all GN's on a grey still morning with possible rain coming.
Drat and double drat!! I had written quite a bit and was just finishing off and for some reason , dont know what it all disappeared off so now I dont think you will get it but if you find tw o posts from me read whatever bits seem worthwhile from each!!!
So try again! The weather seems to be actually following the forecast and so have been vindicated in my playing hookey and going off on friday. Yesterday I was certainly paying for my pleasure and not much better today. So a bit frustrating as there were plenty of things I wanted to do but could only do bits at a time and then sit down for a while. Took the folding chair outside and sat in the sunshine to read. There was hardly anyone about and it was lovely to see the daffodils and the leaves coming on the silver birch, birds singing and just my radio 3 playing quietly. Definitely more peaceful than the town was. I went early to get a couple of things and my Yorkshire post so although I am somewhat shocked that it now costs £3.50, I do get my worth from it, not only national and local news but whats on and crosswords etc etc and unless it is rugby or sailing not into the sports page, and usually give it to a neighbour or a gentleman I sometimes see in Cafe Nero who enjoys it. Whilst I think of it, if any GN is a keen gardener who likes to visit gardeners the May edition of Gardeners world has the 2 for 1 offer . If you dont get it regularly , it goes fast so might be worth getting one.
I get that but also have my NGS yellow book every year, and enjoy visiting gardens both locally and further afield. When my back is not good I enjoy looking through and planning trips and reading about special gardens. Have been doing this for over 30 years so recognise many gardens I have visited before. It is good going back to see the changes. Sometimes I remember the changes more than the owners! If you use the book do look at the "by appointment only" sections and dont be put off by them.
There are usually 2 reasons for them. 1. the garden is somewhere that you could not have a large amount of people visiting or lots of traffic. So I have been to a lovely garden up a mountain in wales where there was only 2 parking places , 1 for the owners and one for a visitor. There have been some lovely gardens in small cul de sacs that could not cope with a large influx too.
2. The owners cannot commit to a specific date (as they have to do this quite a long time in advance. So if y ou are having an operation, or expecting a grandchild or whatever you cannot set a date so this allows you to still be part of it). It is lovely for the visitor, as of course , you do not have to go on a sunday but I tend to ring about 3 days before I would like to go and see if it is convenient. Usually it is fine, if not can often arrange another time. Then you have the pleasure of being taken round personally by the owner and they will often be very knowledgeable . I have also made quite a few gardening friends by this method and have returned to visit them over the years. I have seen some spectacular gardens, met Carol Klein and many other interesting people and have been given some lovely plants and in return have been able to donate a special snowdrop or two from my own place. That makes sure that if your own plant disappears you do have someone to ask for one back from too so keeping rare plants going.
I have also chanced it when it was a last minute situation. So travelling to sing in a concert, out comes the book and if I am anywhere near will ring. Of course this is less likely to work as it is such short notice. But I have visited places like this and then also arranged to go at another time, It still supports the charity, and also for the host , they know you do not expect anything other than to look at the garden, weeds and all and so less stress for them, and actually a lot enjoy talking to another gardening addict and swapping ideas. I have also invited various people to visit my garden when they were in my area, so it was a two way thing.
grandMattie Was that a Freudian slip or have you got camera vision of my ironing basket waiting for some attention!!
karmalady. I enjoy reading your posts and you seem to have the energy I used to have, doing lots of things. I am afraid I still think I can do everything and about a third through what I planned I have run out of energy which is most frustrating, so enjoying by proxy all your gardening things.Thankyou for your comments re my trips.
Ladylfl Hope the honey sales went well for you. Enough profit for a cruise??!! Maybe a coffee and a cake might be more the level!
Well by now I am sure everyone will be off doing whatever for the day and I really must start on the much delayed sorting out. Hurray for radio 3 and coffee to cheer the day. Hope you all get this now and have a good day everyone
