The Years Tick By

 

Autumn is definitely here, because there are morning mists and brown leaves falling. Among other things, it's a good time to collect bits and pieces to make the house a little seasonal. We collected these conkers when they were still closed and green some weeks ago. Now they are dried and showing off their beautiful and lustrous fruits. A little chain of hops, found while collecting blackberries a few days ago, and some oak apples add a bit more for interest. Nature is such a provider.

 

 

Amanda now has to continue studying for her Advanced Diploma in Councelling and Psychotherapy, and this has meant that for the winter at least, I must continue with the business on my own. Her studying is intense, and demands a lot of her and her time, and so we do whatever must be done.

 

I miss her a lot already. Gardening is by nature a solitary job, but we work together so well. People used to question whether we got on each others nerves a lot, what with spending all day, every day in each others pockets. All I can say is that for whatever reason, every minute of every day holds something new with her. But now I must take on the gardens without her company, and enjoy cups of tea on my own while looking out upon Shell Bay.

 

 

 The Sandbanks peninsula is home to some of the most exclusive properties in the UK, and after my cup of tea I head to the property that we look after, just near the Haven Ferry.

 

 

The residents are very private people, and so no pictures of the gardens I am afraid, just the hedge perimeter this time.

 

I woke up yesterday feeling pretty rough and fed up. A stomach bug has taken hold, and Amanda told me that I wasn't looking my best. I think she may have been right. I felt old and tired.

 

I really didn't want to go to work, as my energy levels had plumetted, you know the feeling, but I gritted my teeth and persevered. It was to be a long drive, about an hour, to start the day at our most distant garden. Two hours later, and only two miles out, I was still stuck in a traffic jam. There had been a bad car crash way on ahead, and traffic was gridlocked throughout the whole area, and it was the morning rush hour to boot! As car by car gave up, and managed to turn in the road, I decided that this was an omen for me to call it a day, as I felt rough, and there was no way I could now get through the days work, and so did the same and headed home. There is always paperwork to do....always!

 

I think Hobie was feeling the same, but without the paperwork to do.

 

We watched a programme on the television last night, Fabulous Fashionistas, a documentary about six extraordinary women who haven't let old age get the better of them. They really are quite something. It's made me want to wear a red hat to work.

 

Today is Wednesday, and a new day. I feel a little better, if not a little younger, and so shall head out for the days work in a minute. Another cup of tea first has to be the order of the day methinks.

 

But before I go, let's all say a prayer for the UN General Assembly. Whether we agree or disagree with all or part of what Hassan Rouhani was saying, there appeared to be a new willingness to engage with the west. Maybe, if we can all accept each other, and the cultures and faiths that come with that, then is it possible that extremism will eventually lose it's grip in the world?

 

 

Late tomatoes still ripening in the garden