Life is not going forward in the ways I’d thought it would a few months ago! I’m still job hunting and less sure of what I want to do if that makes sense? I worked as a Covid Marshal but it was truly almost awful. But that was as much to do with my health and my own expectations as changing workplace practices and the current state of the nation (a big old mess?). Frustrations are easily dug out in the garden but let’s face one big thing: I’m not wedded to constant weeding or watering, both of which my garden needs. I’m not an avid fan of beasties – slugs or snails or anything like that – and my desired plants get eaten by those!

If I got a decent job I would definitely consider employing a gardener. My six months gardening for other people definitely inspired my passion for beautiful spaces but also made me realise how much time I wasn’t putting into my garden. But I’ve also lost my favourite Woolworths replacement for my constant supply of bulbs etc and I’m going to have to be canny about my garden spends.

Children and dog also take a lot of my time, usually as a taxi service, but as a walker! Rescue dogs come with the perceptions of the rescue place but R our rescue has confounded us at every turn. She is a sneaky food thief! No food left unobserved! She has put on weight while here which is half because she steals what she can and half because she’s getting more food (fruit diet no more).

And it’s stopped me from gardening and there is lots to do! I could do with stripping out lots of the things that appear (unwanted/not planted) but I’m less fit than I was and need to stop returning to sugary treats to make myself feel better – they don’t – and don’t give me any energy! Just need to get rid of brambles and unwanted plants like privet and laurel which have regrown much to my dismay.