Taking a breather from the posts about annuals, I found some photos of the last garden, soon after I had remodelled the front garden. Looking back at it, there were lots of mistakes. The paths were too narrow and I tried to pack in too much. But then I always try to grow too much.

The odd building at the end of the pond was built with twenty or so thin irrigation tubes built in above the glass blocks and with a red light behind it, was quite showy while it worked. Of course the red glow road may have confused people from the road. This was the before LEDs – it would be easier to do now. Unfortunately the whole thing looked a bit like a public convenience but the trachycarpus, peeping out of the top, settled in very well and soon swamped it so the effect was soon softer.

The back garden did have a lawn for a while but that soon got dug up to make more room for plants. And the mirrored door on the garage, while very effective, soon rotted and fell to bits.

It was at about this time that I was the gardening person on Saga digital radio. My little interview went out every week but I recorded several at a time so every month or so I would get on the train to visit the studio near Buckingham Palace in London. The whole thing was a delight which is just as well as I did not get paid and it cost me money! It was more expensive than it needed be because in addition to the fare to Kings Cross and the tube, after the walk through Green Park to the studio, the return trip always included a walk to Fortnum and Mason to buy a box of chocolates.

The host of the show was Jenny Hanley and we had great fun. I would bring plants in to chat about despite the fact that she was often allergic to them! The whole thing was irreverent and chaotic in the best possible way. Jenny is possibly best known as being a presenter on Magpie – Blue Peter for Council Estate kids.

One of the highlights, which Jenny reminded me of by sending me an image this month, was when we did a live Christmas broadcast day at Denbies vineyard near Dorking, Surrey. I know the place very well since it was not far from where I grew up and next to Box Hill, the biker meet in the south of England. It was all going to be jolly and festive with the guest of honour being Hayley Westenra. As it turns out, Hayley was not able to attend, from memory, stuck in traffic. We had to improvise and do more gardening questions than intended. But it also meant more time for wine buying. Good times 🙂

I confess I don’t remember who the other person was (me on the right and Jenny Hanley in the centre!) so I apologise for that.

Whatever you are doing this Christmas I hope you are safe and well.

Here’s to next year.

Obviously I didn’t take the photo so hope I am not infringing any copyright by publishing this. And thank you Jenny for sending it 🙂