Mapping the Garden: Week 2

Yes, we’re still at it. Or rather Peder is. He digs and digs, and then does his back in, and I fix him coffee, fetch him aspirin and heat packs, and he continues to buy plants and dig holes … because he’s a Dane, and Danes are as tough as weather. So, one day my…

Home Improvement: Garden Renovation

The garden renovation is nearly complete. Thanks heaven for small mercies. The brick retaining wall is finished, the sandstone slabs are set into warm grey grout, new drains were buried below the patio so that we’ll no long have little puddly lakes when it rains, all the pointing is finished on the steps … and…

Home Improvements: Garden Renovation

30 May: Yes, I’m a bit behind the mark. I’ve been busy. Making coffee. Making tea. Making iced sun-tea. Making mint tea. Making ice cubes in my new fridge. Calming Molly who’s now afraid of the new refrigerator and the noise that the icemaker makes. Have you ever seen a dog barking “warning-warning-alert” at a…

Home Improvements: Where’s the Grass

June 6: Sunny and hot. Well hot for England. We hit 22C today. That’s about the point where we all pant and gasp and beg for water with crushed ice from my new fridge. Molly is still barking at it, too. She doesn’t like the noise of the icemaker. Oh dear. That’s Andy on his…

Home Improvement: Garden Plans

Monday, 27 May: Here’s one of the problems with our garden and the position of the greenhouse. The lime trees behind the house have grown significantly over the past +20-years, and the sunlight is blocked until mid-afternoon. There isn’t enough sun reaching the greenhouse for the plants to grow properly. Here are a few photos taken…