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…
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.
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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…
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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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It will be vvery different when it is done. Rather sleek and modern… I prefer a little wildness myself where gardens are concerned, but I am really looking forward to planting this to soften the edges 😉
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That sounds like a better job than wrestling with the fish filter!
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This new filter is much easier to clean too 🙂
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That sounds like a blessing…
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Oh, it really is 🙂
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Yes!!! 😀
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🙂
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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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I’ll just settle for some effective antibiotics at the moment 😉 xx
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Oh! Sue are you still unwell. I was hoping you would be better by now.💜💜
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Well, hopefully, todays batch of pills from the doc will get me sorted. 😉 xx
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I really do hope so 💜💜💜
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❤
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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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I’m just glad the house isnow paused for a bit… the garden is bad enough, and I’m down with a really nasty chest infection too at the moment.
My timing is wonderful 😉 x
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Oh I’m so sorry, Sue. That’s rotten luck. I hope you’re feeling much better soon. I blame these weird constantly changeable temperatures. A sign of climate change, probably. At least if the work is temporarily on hold it’ll give you a bit of recovery time. Please take care. ❤ 🙂
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I hope so too, Alli. I need to catch up with everything at my place too… x
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It never rains…, does it? Take it easy. One thing at a time, and little steps. 💜
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Not much choice there 😉 x
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Just look after you – especially in the heat of the coming days. I always think of you when we get a heatwave. ❤ 🙂
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Oh not more heat… Think I’ll more into the freezer aisle at the supermarket… 😉 ❤
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That’s a cool idea (sorry!). I’m going to hide in Savernake Forest on Saturday. It’s always cooler in the woods. At least we’re not in the south of France or Spain – 45C – eeek!
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Heaven forfend! I will be longing for a return to the islands…
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I can understand that, I would be too… None of us like the heat – my daughter is even threatening to sit in the fridge this weekend… 🙂
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I don’t blame her at all, having looked at the forecast!
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It’s a shame we haven’t got a bigger fridge – I might well have joined her! 🙂
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Big enough and you’d have been making room for three 😉
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Then we definitely need a new fridge… 🙂
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Mead’s nice chilled too 😉
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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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The fish are fabulous, Michael… and the garden will be when it is done 🙂
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A lot of work. In our smaller garden my only work is meowing the grass with a skythe. The skythe is for the pleasure of our neighbour. Lol
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I’ll just be glad when it is done 🙂
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🙂
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Sorry, have to correct: Where a lot of your inspiration is coming from. Lol My grammar is horrible.
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Usually, your grammar is excellent, Michael… and better than mine 😉
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You are so kind Sue! Thank you. 😉
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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…
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I’m glad I can just supervise and make tea for the moment…though the pond is my domain.
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I’m glad the garden is taking shape, and the fish are doing well.
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So am I, Tori…but will be happier when it is done!
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Can’t wait to see the finished look.
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Me neither 🙂
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👌😊
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Sue’s latest news on her son’s garden taking shape.
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Looking forward to seeing the finished garden. It’ll be beautiful, I’m sure. Well worth all the hard work.
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If all goes well, it should be an amazing place for my son. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger.
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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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Rather wish it would bugger off, the chest… especially as the doc says ‘rest’ and gives me steroids that keep me wide awake all night 😉
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Making excellent progress! One day at a time Sue ❤
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I’m just looking forward to going down there one morning and seeing finished bits 😉 xx
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I can well imagine! 🙂 xx
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🙂 x
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Pingback: Seven Links 6/29/19 Traci Kenworth – Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger
Thanks Traci 🙂
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This seems to be much nicer, Sue.
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I think it will look spectacular when it is done 🙂
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