Saturday 21 June 2014

Gardening Karma

We set off on Wednesday morning to Montacute House in Wiltshire. The van engine had been making some odd siren like noises, the sort of noises that meant that an engine should blow up, but all was running smoothly, and there were no system warning lights coming on, and so we did what we do best, and ignored it for the time being. The van was booked into the garage for Friday anyway to fix the problem, and we always had the AA if we broke down. Half way there and a grinding noise added to the problem, and so we thought it best to turn around and try to drop it off at the garage early. By the time we got there, we were turning heads with the melee coming from the engine, but we just made it, with a final screeching as we pulled into the forecourt. A gentle and kind smile from the garage owner met us, with the immediate news that the turbo charger had blown up. We resigned ourselves with the thought of being without a vehicle for most of the rest of our holiday, and with yet another huge garage bill to face. It was huge, in fact £839.00, and the van would be out of action until Friday evening, which all in all wasn't too bad.
 
“Cleansing your environment is a ritual means of also cleansing your mind” Dalai Lama
 
A statement that has always held true for me when things get stressful and difficult. We had adventures planned for the holiday, but now we were housebound for a short while, and so time to immerse ourselves in a little tidying of the house and garden, something that usually takes a back seat. Amanda disappeared among the shrubs in the garden, secateurs and bin in hand, whilst I headed to a long overdue clear up of one of the tool sheds.
 
 
I started by clearing some of the floor of one of the tool sheds, and the plan was to make enough space to house loads of wine making gear, dozens of empty bottles, and the spare demi-johns.

Outside, and the tomatoes are doing well under the kitchen window.

 
The Nisparo are actually ripening in the sunshine and heat that we are getting.

 
We cleared the end of the garden. It's our cool and shady spot on hot days, and there was so much 'stuff' just dumped there over the last few months, that it was getting quite depressing. We had to leave a little room for the plant hospital, but hopefully whatever has survived so far will now recover with a little more TLC.


The tool shed ended a little more ordered, if not completely sorted. That will come when I tackle the other shed, but at the moment the bulk of that is taken up with my Triumph Trophy.

 
The Aloe is loving the sun and the heat.
 
 
The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~Hanna Rion
 
As are the Salvias generally.
 

 
Eventually, Amanda started to appear, as order was brought to the garden.
 

 
Even our little Phoenecian sailor seemed happier.
 

 
Gardening always restores the mind and soul when negative things are taking over the mind. There aren't many life problems that I haven't had to face at some point or another, and it has always been working with plants that has kept me sane, and focussed my thoughts more positively and constructively.
 


 
Two days later and all was done. Heck, we had even painted the gutter down pipes on the house.
It was a warm Thursday evening, and the table was set for a picnic in our newly restored cool area.
 
 
Hobie joined us as usual, and was treated to a little of Amandas trout terrine. Judging by the frantic cleaning he then set to, I think he enjoyed it.

 
We were relaxed, and feeling ok about the fact that the cost of the van was going to set us back in other areas. We just sat in quiet comfort, tired from the work we had immersed ourselves in, and stared up through the Acacia tree as we talked.

 
Hobie? Well, it was just all too much for him!

 To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves. ~Mahatma Gandhi





22 comments:

  1. At least it should be sorted now. It has been an expensive van this year.
    Let us hope that is the end of it. The expense not the van.

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    Replies
    1. Adrian, I do so hope that you are right. The MOT is due next month, and so if it fails, then I am seriously considering driving it off a cliff.

      Delete
  2. Wow, that's some car bill, let's hope it doesn't need any more work for a bit. I hate clearing sheds, I usually yank it all out and then seem to put it all back again as I don't like to throw anything out. lol
    Briony
    x

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    Replies
    1. Hello Briony,
      We had a bill for £2500 earlier in the year, when the cam chain broke, and so not a good start financially for us.. I must admit that I love a good shed tidy, and especially when there is lots to sort. Sad eh?

      Delete
  3. I am sorry about your van woes, but glad you and Amanda didn't let that get you down. You made forward progress in your garage and in your gardens and had a lovely dinner in the gardens along with Hobie.

    Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lorraine,
      Although it can be hard at times, and especially when multiple things become problematic, we do try so hard to prioritise what is important in life. The garden always comes out on top of the list.

      Delete
  4. Hello Gary:

    Such very depressing news about the van and such a huge amount of money to replace something we have never even heard of. But you are so right to be philosophical although, as we know ourselves, it is not always easy to be so.

    At least your time has been profitably spent and you do now have your own garden in good shape.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jane and Lance,
      I can't deny that my shoulders slumped at hearing the news about the van, and especially after it cost us so much earlier in the year, but life has so much to off by way of distraction don't you think?

      Delete
  5. Sorry about the van. You are philosophical about it - that is the right attitude.
    The garden looks very inviting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alain,
      We do try to stay focussed on what really matters at times like this, even though it can be difficult at times. If you are ever over here, then as you think the garden looks inviting, you are cordially invited to share a glass of vino in it with us.

      Delete
  6. Car and computers the reason we all get frustrated over repairs.
    But I so agree with the working in the garden, it just makes everything better. Plus when it gets cleaned up you get to sit and enjoy it.
    Love the garden photos. Outstanding !

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. Good morning Gayle,
      Thanks for the nice compliment. I am sure they are both things designed to bring down the human race. Gardens are there to counter any difficulty in my book.

      Delete
  7. I am going to have to clean my sheds too just to make room for what needs to be in the sheds. Good luck with your car.

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    Replies
    1. Good day to you Red,
      Haha...how true that is. We find that to put something else in a shed usually requires tidying the attic and kitchen cupboards. How do we end up with so much stuff eh? The van is once again working....for now anyway.

      Delete
  8. I have a basement and a garden shed that needs that kind of attention. My goal is be able to walk around on the floor in the garden shed. I work on it each year but my fall dumping of things loads the floor up all over again.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Larry,
      I totally agree with the dumping stuff on the floor, and am guilty of that too. There is a kind of karma in simply clearing the floor, if nothing else.

      Delete
  9. At least you were together. Hope the van troubles end and glad the garden is in order for future enjoyment.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sherlock,
      A trouble shared and all that. The van is now working once again, and we are off to a big car boot sale in the New Forest to test drive it.

      Delete
  10. I guessed as soon as you mentioned the siren noise what your problem was, I am an expert as it was the death knell of the old SAAB Convertible (I am missing her in this beautiful weather!!!!) My commiserations on yet another expensive vehicular experience.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Pete,
      Sorry to hear you have had the same problem. Does that mean your lovely car is totally shot, or is she affordably fixable? As for the van, if she fails the MOT next month on anything other than a windscreen wiper, then a ceremonial torching will be in order!

      Delete
  11. Gary,
    Internal combustion, both a salvation and scourge! But the alternative holiday activities look (as always) strikingly beautiful. Your garden (as always) is a most wondrous place and I always enjoy the post when you offer us highlights from it. Hoping all is soon back to normal and you guys are once again on the road to some more fabulous places. - gary

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    Replies
    1. Hello Gary,
      It's nice to see you back in the land of blog. The van did indeed get fixed, and I was given the good news whilst laying on some grass (my next post)

      Delete