Graham and Eve

Blasted garden...

But it is looking better thanks to Graham and his ever ready loppers. I will need to buy an incinerator he said to make ash out of the fallen branches which will in turn go under the conifers...Which will then in turn be mixed into the soil to make a richer growing medium for my fruit and veg...WHAT! Just chop the blasted trees!

Blimey I thought as I stepped off the ladders if this is what gardening means then you can shove it. But seriously, he has done a decent job, and for little cost, well little to him maybe, but a fortune to poor old me. He has a property in Cyprus apparently, probably paid for by a host of ladies like me who would rather pull a muscle than pull a weed.

After decimating the trees we discussed my needs and wants...

He will work for four hours but only get paid for two, the deal being I help out as his sidekick. "I don't do carrying" I said. "Ok" he laughed. "You just bin stuff."
We sealed the deal over chocolate cake and tea.

I also bagged the cut price deal by going up his ladder. "First time a client has done that" he said

He talked interminably about his love of gardening how easy it is if you're keen...Planting times and seasons and tools were discussed, I of course know very little, so all I did was oooh and aaahh when he rattled on about his onions.

But credit where credit is due...

He not only trimmed the conifers with precision cutting but overloaded me with his knowledge about shrubs, vegetable gardens and apple trees. He is a keen gardener to say the very least, has had an allotment for a hundred years, that sort of thing, grows enough cabbage to feed a million rabbits and freezes a lot of sweetcorn...But....As soon as he mentioned fruit trees he had my undivided attention. I have a romantic view of fruit trees, apple in particular, I see myself walking barefooted into the garden to pick ample wet fruits, then, as if touched by Eve herself, turn them into plump sweet pies. Yes, definitely want to get my hands on a Bramley.

I also want a pear tree, Graham suggested having it out front, but I want it out back. And out back it will be. He showed me 'designs' he'd drawn, they were more like scribbles, but his heart is in the right place. "The roses could grow here" he pointed and I was lost in the glory and pain of it all....
I told him I wanted a cherry blossom tree on my frontage, he said he'd advise me on that nearer the planting time. Money came up again and I told him I can't spend more a few quid a week so I'd be eternally grateful if he could buy stuff plant stuff and manage my garden for £5 a week.
He looked stunned:)

But first things first, before the glorious planting of roses and herbs and fruits I need to buy an Incinerator.
I would therefore be mightily grateful if someone would buy me one. Lunch/dinner would be your reward and possibly a peck on the cheek.

Cooking tonight:
Shepherd's Pie
Spicy Beans
Chocolate cake and ice cream