Back to the future? …

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Sue Vincent

When I left for the north, my son’s garden was already being stripped back to basics. I was curious to see what might have been done by the time I got back. It had all looked fine before the work started… but beneath the surface of the decking, the garden was rotting and had to be ripped out and replaced.

It was a catalogue of errors that was revealed as the process of stripping the old garden back had begun. Possibly the worst ‘oversight’ was the bridge… with none of its supporting posts even touching the ground, let alone being sensibly concreted into place. We had been going to leave it in… but seeing how little was supporting it changed the plans.

The fish, though, seem to like their new ‘open plan’ pond. There is a lot of speeding around and jumping out to see what is going on… or perhaps catch the odd fly…

…and as some of the fish are a good three feet long and more, being pondside now that the garden has been dropped to water level, means that their curiosity can get you awfully wet. Even the sturgeon keep coming over to be part of the action and Nick has been able to stroke their sandpapery backs for the first time; the deck raised him too far away from the water before.

But work goes on.  The next stage of repairing the damage to the kitchen and bathroom from the leak in the loft has now been put on hold until the garden is done. New gateposts and a sturdier fence have gone in, and the gates re-hung so they will actually close again. The base is down for the new shed that will let Nick get his wheelchair and trike safely under cover and painting is underway.

The roses and a few other plants and shrubs have been preserved and protected, ready to be moved to their new homes once the new raised beds have gone in.

In spite of the fact that everything is covered in sticky clay and mud and that the whole place is a complete shambles… a new garden is starting to emerge from the ruins.

There is a still a long way to go, and even when it is done, there will be growing time needed… but the future is starting to take shape and each day brings the new garden closer. I don’t think it will be long before the baby koi can stop looking worried… even though I know that as soon as this one is finished, work will begin inside in earnest…and then we’ll really have problems…

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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61 Responses to Back to the future? …

  1. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    June 27, 2019 at 06:46

    I’m glad the fish are doing well and the garden is taking shape. I look at your mess and wonder what’s going on in the rotting area near my back door. Actually, I’m trying to be optimistic about it. Owen is going to stuff it with bondo (car repair goop) and hope it’ll hold for another year. I don’t really WANT to change the back door. It’s a dutch door and we can’t get another one. They simply don’t make them anymore so even though it’s falling apart, I really like it. Taking care of a house and garden is the ultimate endless task, isn’t it? You are never finished and when you do finish one tast, there’s always a waiting list. Oh well. There are worse things than having a house to care for … like NOT having a house.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Sue Vincent says:
      June 27, 2019 at 07:30

      Another couple of weeks, I would think, and the worst will be done…outside, anyway. Inside is yet to happen. I can understand not wanting to part with a door you love…they make such a difference to the feel of a place.
      I’ll just be glad when the dust settles here…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. jenanita01 says:
    June 27, 2019 at 09:46

    My father’s voice echoes in my ear as I read your post, Sue. His favourite response to most things was always “Be wonderful when it’s finished…” and I am sure it will be…

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  3. willowdot21 says:
    June 27, 2019 at 10:22

    It’s all looking good , I hope all can go to plan now and that everything stays on track..
    A little devine intervention never went amiss and I believe you and Nick deffinately deserve some now 💜💜

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  4. Alli Templeton says:
    June 27, 2019 at 11:12

    From chaos to order – its often the way. What starts as pure devastation and a wish that we’d never started turns into something beautiful and worthwhile. It’s happening with Nick’s garden. One step at a time, each one a little nearer the reward. I’m thinking of you through it all, especially with the house. ❤ 🙂

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  5. OIKOS™-Publishing says:
    June 27, 2019 at 11:55

    What a wonderful garden Now i think i know where a lot of you inspiration are coming from. And the fishes unique beautiful too. Michael

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  6. tidalscribe says:
    June 27, 2019 at 12:05

    I love seeing new gardens being created, especially if I don’t have to do the work. At a previous house we inherited a small pond with six big coy carp so Cyberspouse dug a six foot deep new pond – digging the hole was the easy part…

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Victoria Zigler (@VictoriaZigler) says:
    June 27, 2019 at 13:04

    I’m glad the garden is taking shape, and the fish are doing well.

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  8. Sadje says:
    June 27, 2019 at 13:32

    Can’t wait to see the finished look.

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  9. patriciaruthsusan says:
    June 27, 2019 at 14:13

    Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
    Sue’s latest news on her son’s garden taking shape.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. V.M.Sang says:
    June 27, 2019 at 15:11

    Looking forward to seeing the finished garden. It’ll be beautiful, I’m sure. Well worth all the hard work.

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  12. Widdershins says:
    June 28, 2019 at 03:18

    You have been in the wars with your health, of late … may this chest-y bout get itself gone poste haste.
    Nice to see the fishies getting their ten cent’s worth in. 😀

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  13. dgkaye says:
    June 28, 2019 at 04:38

    Making excellent progress! One day at a time Sue ❤

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  15. robbiesinspiration says:
    July 5, 2019 at 16:43

    This seems to be much nicer, Sue.

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