Did you miss me?

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Thanks to a computer upgrade I lost my old e-mail address and access to this site, so I have re-registered and am now back in business.

Life has been very hectic up ’till now but I am now recovering from non-emergency surgery so thought it was high time I got back on here.

You may remember me as the proud grandmother of little Thomas, born with spina bifida but showing great interest in gardening with his Daddy. Thomas is doing well and they have moved to a lovely new house in the New Forest. Alas their efforts to garden last summer were promptly eaten by their new puppy. Poppy the puppy eats absolutely everything and had to have her stomach pumped out after eating mystery toadstools whilst out on a walk. Daddy and Tommy still love to garden, but this year the plan is for Tommy to join me in my garden. Although only 2 1/2 years old he has plans to grow lots of vedgies in my garden, sadly I think some of my flower beds are going to have to go.

Last summer I decided that it was time I replaced the greenhouse I left behind when we moved and was astounded at the price of a 8×10 greenhouse. So what is the next best thing? E-BAY. Within a week I was the proud owner of a 6×8 greenhouse for the princely sum of £60.

Within a month I was rapidly running out of room, but Tommy loved the cucumbers and tomatoes and has already decided that we should grow grapes this year. My other daughter Sarah has a new partner who is Bolivian, so they have added peppers to the list. Pablo, who naturally is an expert on chilli peppers will be quality control! mmm. maybe I should consider a home for a second greenhouse.

Years ago hubby and I used to grow lots of geraniums, pelargoniums and fuchsias so have got to make room for them too. My pride and joy is a hardy fuchsia Hawkshead which started life as a little cutting. This has great sentimental value because of where it came from. In Autumn 2009 hubby and I randomly took off to Devon for a day to trace my ancestral roots. We knew that my gt gt grandfather lived and died in a village called Luppitt, in the black hills. Our first call of the day was to the church-yard, but alas could not find his grave. On the way out I noticed this lovely fuchsia bush and, yes I did! I took a few cuttings. Throughout the winter I nurtured these cuttings indoors and come spring I had five little plants. Then orders for this sentimental plant came flooding in. Three went to family members, one into the garden and one in the greenhouse. To be safe I took more cuttings in the autumn in case of really cold weather and yes I have five more growing steadily on the kitchen windowsill. The two I kept grew to about 1m high before the frosts took them. Now I have to wait to see if there is life after the snow.

Finally before I finish this blog I would like to add that life for little Tommy couldn’t be sweeter. After countless stays in hospital his health is getting stronger. His disablity does not impair his development and his outlook on life is great. After Mummy’s divorce finally came through they celebrated Xmas by Mummy and Daddy getting married. All Tommy wanted for Xmas was a brother or sister and fingers crossed Santa will be delivering his wish, (a little late) in July.

• 10 Jan, 2011
• 6 likes

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