Obviously, she was the principal violinist. I subsequently made the conductor to make gestures at her from another part of the garden, but he never got put out for reasons which will eventually come clear.
This view was only a week or two on from sowing some of the crops, so it still looks relatively unimpressive. In the centre circle, the patches of annual flowers can be seen just popping thorough the surface where they had been sown. A closer view of the scarecrow backed up by the tomatoes and cucumbers probably reveals more of her construction than is prudent, but what else would you have me do with those prunings?
I reckon she worked quite well side on too, and in the next photo she is seen with another bird-scaring windmill behind her, and some of the paraphernalia associated with harvesting and planting on the grass path.
Pigeons were the problem here. As for harvesting, I think the staff got all excited when I told them at a staff meeting that I would be reinstating the vegetable garden. They all remembered the glory days when the gardener would grow stuff just so they could take it home free of charge, and they thought I was going to demonstrate a similar amount of appropriate subservience. No chance! I was nobody's servant. The long faces were a sight to behold when I announced that they could indeed take home vegetables, but that they would have to pay the price that I set for them, and the proceeds would be donated to a local charity. This was a wise move, suggested by my partner, who was a sight cleverer than would be suggested by her getting tied up with me. It would benefit the Foundation, enhancing its reputation thereabouts, and would help a locally respected beneficiary. The money would go to the local Lifeboat Service. I also struck up a deal with the town Deli, which bought my produce at a price they had negotiated with other local chemical-free growers. In the end we were able to give a donation of over £400, and were invited for a guided tour of the Station, which was fascinating for all. It took a lot of work harvesting and delivering all the produce which I had to ferry into town most days, and to be honest, I found it quite a distraction from the progress I wanted to be making in other areas, but I persevered, as it seemed an important thing to do.
Other pictures taken on the same day show the borders round the croquet lawn as they looked in early summer, on 8th June, displaying the superb lichen-encrusted random brick wall behind -
I didn't take too many pictures of the narrow space behind the library, but I actually situated a few choice plants there in the shelter of its enclosure. This area, too, was beginning to look good -
Only five days later and the change in growth was evident. Another angle on the kitchen garden showing the onion beds demonstrates the fullness that was developing rapidly, with a sturdy crop of potatoes behind -
And finally, a broader view, showing how quickly the annual flowers in the centre had shot up, and proving that all the beds were now being fully utilised -
I can't begin to describe how pleased I was with this achievement. The whole thing created from rough grass in a month and a half to this stage, and all by my own labours, alongside the constant daily maintenance and development of the other five acres. I felt at the peak of my abilities. I would never feel so young again.
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