Monday, March 16, 2015
Mark and Gaz
It was a long, hard working week and with the weekend looming I was looking forward to our downtime which includes doing some gardening. Spring is just around the corner and increasingly there are things that needs doing in the garden and last weekend would have been a perfect opportunity to get some of them done.
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| I wonder what's the story behind this bird feeder? |
Then Gaz drops a surprise...we have agreed to spend the weekend sorting out 'other people's garden' instead. That didn't go down well to say the least.
But it was one of those situations that no matter how much I moaned (I'm allowed to be grumpy on our blog once in a while) there was no other choice but to do it, whether I liked it or not.
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| Flimsy, not so sturdy kit arbour. I bet this wasn't cheap. |
Sigh! So tired from the working week and now a weekend working in somebody else's place, great! Oh well...better get stuck in... (BTW, it's a unique situation and no one will be offended with my expression of annoyance. If it was to help someone in need within reason I would have been more than happy to help even if I'm tired).
It's very rare for me to do any gardening in other places apart from ours. This will be a sort of a new experience and viewing it that way has taken the edge off my initial hesitations. No point being annoyed, the task won't go away so best accept it and play with the situation.
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| Overgrown ivy as usual |
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| Brambles... |
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| Protecting junk within its thorny arms |
Seeing the task on hand, which was mainly clearing out rubbish and cutting back overgrown plants I had instant thoughts on how it must feel and be like to do this for a living to, clear out and sort somebody else's garden. Hmmm....
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| How not to treat a leather sofa |
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| Or is this a whimsical planter? |
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| I wonder what was here before, a shed perhaps? |
It wasn't too bad in the end and to be honest I've seen gardens in worst state, like having rusting cars and old washing machines in it. And most of the garden was in a reasonable state and not overgrown. Indoors, the houseplants have fared better, well maintained even considering the fate of some of the outdoor plants in pots. Looking around there were traces that at some point in the past it was a loved garden that was used for relaxing and spending time in.
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| At least the houseplants fared better |
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| Traces that it was a relatively well maintained garden, approximately mid noughties |
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| Bye bye sofa! |
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| Timberrrr!!! |
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| Ribbit! |
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| The mini house had to go, the rest stayed |
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| Other back gardens are tidy and maintained, and a nice quiet area with a mix of 1930's, 1990's, and new build houses. It'll be interesting to see how well those modern houses age. |
Boy did we work hard last weekend (not just in the garden, the house too) and so glad that most of the tasks have been ticked off. Not sure about doing it for a living though, happy to remain a clinician for now.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Hi Mark, I can totally understand your hesitation to work in someone else's garden rather than in yours after a long week of hard work in your job. I wouldn't looking forward to that either, especially because I hardly can maintain my own garden time-wise.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it is still fun to see ANY kind of garden for me and as you said it would be interesting to know what is the story behind the one that you guys have been working in.
Still wishing you that next weekend you get to dig in your own lovely tropical paradise :-).
Warm regards,
Christina
Thanks Christina and so looking forward to next weekend already. No surprises hopefully :))
DeleteWas this some sort of volunteer work for a charity? The outdoor couch is quite a mystery. Sorry you didn't get to work in your own garden but someone will certainly benefit from your work on theirs.
ReplyDeleteThe couch is a mini mystery Peter. Not a charity work, just something nice to do for somebody else :)
DeleteThat's more like manual labour rather than gardening but I can imagine your satisfaction after it was all cleaned up, and think of the calories that you burnt.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly felt like heavy labour especially on Saturday morning but glad it's all done now :)
DeleteI suppose it was an interesting experience...although a very different garden compared to yours...no variety of plants.
ReplyDeleteIt was a unique experience Lisa, not rushing to do it again though :)
DeleteThat's quite a challenge to add another garden project with both your work schedules and maintenance on your own garden beckoning. At least you have the messy bits done.
ReplyDeleteThe days are getting longer so you will have more time out in your own garden soon.
Thankfully it's only for that weekend Shirley, whew!
DeleteVolunteers get good Karma. But oh my, that place needs a lot of work !
ReplyDeleteHope so Kathy ;)
DeleteI agree with Kathy - you racked up lots of good karma! (The more unpleasant the scene you start with, the more karmic points you get.)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris, hopefully it's on its way :))
DeleteWould it be wrong for me to say I kind of enjoyed hearing you be grumpy? You are such a positive fellow usually. Good karma indeed, generous of you both.
ReplyDeleteThanks Loree :) it was quite fun being grumpy for a change. Can say that now the works all done
DeleteWhat a fun read and I can understand why you felt grumpy! But it was a job done and I'm sure it was appreciated by others... and by Gaz.
ReplyDeleteSo what's your surprise for him next weekend?
Your question made me laugh Celia! I shall think about it.....:))
DeleteCan I book you guys for next weekend? I have quite a bit to do, but there's no rubbish clearing involved. Let me know what time your flight arrives... ;)
ReplyDeleteAhh if only distance is not an issue Alan, we would be delighted :)
DeleteHow funny- we were doing the exact same thing- working in a relative's garden. However, it's his pride and joy and totally immaculate, so we tip toed around, following instructions and trying not to offend. It's harden than you think, working in someone else's garden .xx
ReplyDeleteIt is Karen, especially in a garden that is of a similar situation to yours wherein the owner is a gardener that is meticulous and has exacting standards. Fortunately this one was just a clear out job :)
DeleteThat looks like a job that requires a fair amount of Radox in the bath afterwards. Nothing like a bit of hard work to make you appreciate what other people have to do, though, is there?
ReplyDeleteIndeed Helen, couldn't agree more :)
DeleteYou guys did a good thing. And sometimes that's enough.
ReplyDeleteYou know how once you give money to some charity, they won't leave you alone, asking for more? I hope your good deed doesn't breed similar requests from all over. Be strong!
ReplyDeleteNot a charity work at all Ricki but I fully understand what you mean as the scenarios exactly the same here...
DeleteWell I suppose you have just about hit the age when you have acquired a Social conscience. Good on you both. I suppose you got tea/buns and a hand-out from the poor elderly recipient of your good deeds. :-) x2 Good on you
ReplyDeleteSocial conscience is there Don but this job wasn't a charity work. Read between the lines ;))
DeleteDid this person know you would be featuring the garden on you blog?! Certainly, this garden was in need of your care, but I would think one weekend would not be enough.
ReplyDeleteThey're fully aware Debs, they've read it too ;)
Delete