Happily Ever After

Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running

Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.

A Horticultural Mishap

by admin - 21:02 on 11 July 2011

For the next two weeks I'll be chained to my desk in GNoME HQ for four days each, which is why I was absent when Mr Gardener arrived at The Rural Retreat this morning to begin the work of transforming the more abandoned parts of our estate into colourful, wildlife-friendly habitat.

In hindsight, this was a mistake.

Much strimming and raking took place, all supervised by Matchgirl (and Bess in the willow tree) apart from when she slacked off to spend some time in the shower. That was when Master Marten's photogenic clump was strimmed out of existence.

Mr Gardener, who'd been given precise instructions about what to leave untouched, realised his mistake a moment after he'd made it. He was most apologetic.

Lumpy (I think) behind the photogenic clump last week

I forgive him, for he was suffering from an affliction with which I empathise strongly: his efforts had brought on such bad hayfever that he had to return to Garden HQ for medication. He blamed the hogweed.

The clump will regenerate, and there's a similarly buttercup-filled patch not far away, although that makes little difference if our martens continue to be awkward. I've not seen one since early yesterday morning.

Tomorrow's horticultural schedule includes some more strimming and raking, some tree trimming, and the lighting of a bonfire (thoroughly checked to ensure that Speedy isn't lurking there). When that's done, Matchgirl and I will take a look at the blank canvas and decide what we want to do next.

Mr Gardener is full of ideas and most excited by the "project". A pond has been mentioned. Matchgirl wants a purple summerhouse with Swiss chalet-style eaves. This may be a big mistake...

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