There are days when I could think of quite a few things to keep me in the house. There are times in the garden when the graftiest of graft can give pretty lean results. There are moments of quiet satisfaction even when its mundane jobs that have been tacked and done.

And there are days when the magic happens, the plan comes together, a changing landscape emerges and the thought that was in your head comes to fruition right in front of your eyes.
And it’s so worth it!

You’ve seen glimpses of it, right at the back by the shed. This time last year it was knee-deep in overgrowth, out-of-control raspberries, ‘Rhu’ the rhubarb fighting for air with various rampant rogues as well as half the estates’ brambles. And now you get to see the transformation.

First I cleared it last summer, moving Rhu and raspberries to new homes and de-weeding in girly style with my trowel.

Then I got serious and unearthed years of broken glass and other debris and let it settle down over the winter covered in weed control fabric. With spring came break through weeds, and where the wind had blown or rips had appeared, out popped the crop of undesirables that you wish had a place at our menu as they grow so easily.

Then with steady thought, plenty of coffee, a new saw, a change of plan, a delivery of wood, came a frame. More weed control, a shake of gravel, some double checking with the spirit level, a bit of screwing and hey ho, I have my unique decking- Amazing!

I went for scaffolding boards in the end for ease and because if we need the wheelchair up that end I thought they would be nice and strong although I have no doubt decking would do the job just as well. I’m liking the effect- A lot. In fact, so much do I like the effect that it galvanised me into action last weekend and a couple of nights after work to clear the last really untackled bit in the back corner, even getting behind the fence and cutting back massive branches that have wanted to be tackled for years. Yes, it created a bit of a logistical problem, two scrawny arms and enough cuttings to bury the garden, but never mind, I’ll cut it up an bag it up over the next couple of weeks. The brambles are in the incinerator waiting for a dry evening. Some of the roots were huge but the whole back fence is clear of them and with the roots out I am hoping life will be scratch free from now on.

With sunshine on the way I’m looking forward to a gentle weekend of contemplation when I can admire progress so far (because there is always more isn’t there) and think about whether it’s a pond, a water feature, a geometric paved feature or a very yummy jammy, sticky cream cake that I need to be getting my teeth into next. I wonder what will win?!

Mrs P