I'm leading you up the garden path.......

Brilliant Ob I have caught up and read all your blogs they are brilliant as is all the work you have got through it looks fantastic, especially when you decide to release Han Solo from the gravel :o)) well done.

Well thanks Bob, that means a lot. I'm trying to work my way through everyone's myself so will be starting from scratch with yours tomorrow.

It has been hard work and back in late March, we didn't think we would even get the GH up this year as every time we were off together, it was chucking it down but as soon as that went up....whoosh, but most of it has been don these past few weeks. Although I'm aching like hell now, it's been immensely pleasurable and especially seeing what you can achieve with some imagination and effort.

Most of the 'hard' stuff is done now so looking forward to digging the border so I can add the colour!!

As for Han Solo, if I do dig him up, he will be coming over to the dark side......80)-

Great blog, OB. I trust you have informed the Coroner about finding that Roman body. Also the police will need informing as most Romans seemed to be murdered (if I remember my history lessons). Your pathway looks brilliant, mind you don't trip over the Roman nose when you walk down it :)

Thanks Gee. You have seriously lost the plot girl - very funny tho! lol!

I was thinking of speaking to Trevor Eve on Waking the Dead as they seem very good at cold cases on that programme....

i love this blog had me lol,your path looks great,hard work moving garden rubbish and then shoveling gravel.such a relief when its done.i love the face,great quirky touch.

Fantastic!! You have worked so hard OB on your "holiday"....but just think, you could have spent it lazing away on a beach somewhere, with nothing to show for it!!
Your garden will give you years and years of pleasure...it's coming on a treat, and I'm well proud of you! "Carry on Gardening"....you won't regret it!
Love to you and Ali....you are so enthusiastic, your garden can't fail to be brilliant!
Di x

One of my favourite programmes, OB, although I remember Trevor Eve as Gumshoe!!

Thanks Suey. It has been a hard slog but one which has brought great pleasure as each little bit is completed. Then, when the accessories/plants are added into the mix, it starts to all fall into place. We still have a lot to do but half of the garden is done. We bought the face in Tenby a few months ago knowing we had the gravel on the veg patch. We do like the 'quirky' items like the face, meerkats, snail, frogs etc. We like to laugh and we feel that it would be nice to reflect that in our outside haven.

Thanks to you also, CD. To think, lazy, hazy days on a beach......ice cold beer, relaxing, no painful joints, no aching limbs, no whinging off Ali....oops, sorry Ali!!

In the short fortnight or so I've been on this site, I have drawn so much inspiration from the many helpful and generous folk. I have seen gardens that 6 months ago, not only would I have not had any interest in them but I certainly wouldn't have wanted my garden like any of them.

But, something happened and Ali's enthusiasm for the veggies spilled over and before you could plant a lily bulb, bang.....I was smitten. In the past couple of months, I have been wondered and amazed by the colours that nature throws at us and have taken on a newfound respect for people like all of you GoYers on here. I can appreciate exactly where each of you are coming from with your gardens and as each day passes and each of our ideas change in some way, I am happy to share, learn and above all, enjoy what I get out of you guys and the bug that is....gardening!

We're even looking at getting up to the Chelsea Flower Show next year!! Now that would be something.

Thanks CD for you exceptional comments and I hope that you will continue to share our journey with us over the coming years. THANK YOU

On a Sunday night ....Shoestring?

Used to love that programme!

We've been buying all the WTD DVD's offa Ebay to catch up with them all. Missed the first few series but really good chemistry between the actors.

Great blog and the photo`s compliment it,I`ve followed your progress from the start and enjoyed reading all about your sojourn into the gardening world and yep you are hooked but lets face it you are enjoying it,now sit back and relax for a while,apart from the pottering bit,lol,it never ends........

I know Lincslass and thanks for following our progress.

Ali smiles each night now as I don a trowel and old plastic pot to go on a slug hunt or if I do my deadheading around the decking in my pots! lol!

Always something to do LL and I will be immensely happy and chuffed if I can get the border dug out, worked over with fish bone and top soil, ready to plant next spring.

I look forward to sharing your journey OB :)
Mine started many years ago, with a trip to Chelsea...and I've never looked back....here's hoping the same peace, contentment, and absolute joy, follows you both in your gardening years together x

Thanks CD.

Your comments are truly appreciated and I look forward to learning from you and the many like you as I enrich my experience with you guys knowledge & inspiration.

Thanks again.

I've just discovered your blogs and have spent a very enjoyable half hour reading my way through them. Progress on your garden is great and I love the little animal photos/comments. Looking forward to more updates.

PS. Our summers are as brief as yours!

Thanks KM. Appreciate your comments.

For a newbie on the garrden front, I'm doing okay, I think!

Between us, Ali and I have an understanding that we don't have anything we don't both agree on but as we have very similar tastes, it generally works out well.

The wildlife came first when we moved in followed by the veggies for Ali. I then introduced the planting on the decking etc and I've been hooked since. Then the photography started and now I've got 3 great subjects to enjoy.

Thanks again for your comments and hope to post frequent blogs, if not always updates but just wildlife pics.

PS. Summer - what's that? :0)

It's looking great OB :))

I haven't read all your "journey blogs"...yet...have just dipped in from time to time. I admire your tenacity to get the job done and have enjoyed your "humour" too....the best of luck to you and Ali on the wonderful journey of discovery you have started.:))

Brill stuff Oddbillie when collect the slugs and snails on to the bird table in time for tea !!
Garden looks really smart
You could get CSI to look into the roman.
Unfortunately CSI Norwich doesn't quite sound the same as CSI Miami LOL

Lovely blog made me smile. The photos are lovely as well

What a great achievement,really enjoyed your blog it was inspiring, funny and the visuals were good. Hope you get up a good head of steam for your next holiday.

Hi Ob yes it is very addictive, before I retired I only pulled weeds every now and again and only cut the grass when I could'nt see the back fence, since I retired I have transformed my garden, and when you sit back and just survey all you have done and see all the plants growing that is the most satisfying part of it for me. And as for you both agreeing well gadening has to be a partnership if you both don't agree then it don't get done is my motto. I have four subjects I will be enjoying, the three you have mentioned andthe fourth (when I decide to start itjust in planning stage) project and that is a garden railway, I am what they call an anorak and I have a fair collection of model locomotives both steam and diesel, so in the near future I will be putting a track in amongst the plants.

Thanks Grindle.

AA: Nice comments and the tenacity comes from not having much time when I return to work!! It has been great so far thoogh, thanks.

MB: I don't know about the CSI Norwich....perhaps Grisham would like a transfer from America!!

DH: Glad you're smiling and that you liked the photos.

Stroller: Thanks very much and it's funny because I have drawn so much inspiration from so many folk on GoY since joining a short while ago. Don't know about a good head of steam but more importantly, a good bucket of cash to pay for the next phase!!

Thanks all so much for the kind remarks and I look forward to updating you all as time goes by. :0)-

Can't say I'll be replicating that one Bob but I have seen it done on a programme a few years ago, although that was a small 'sit-on' one. and it looked impressive!

I am intrigued to see the end result though, as I'm sure it will look great and give you immense satisfaction when completed.

Go for it Bob:0)-

More congratulations from me OB, looking really good now. Back to work for a rest then, eh? :o)

Thank you PG. I will miss working out there though - obviously there's still the pottering each night - but will look forward to saving some more cash to commence with phase 3! Oh Joy!!

I won't know what to do when I return to work!! :0(

You've done a fantastic job so far OB, don't let the fact that you have to return to work stop you in your tracks...lol
I look forward to seeing more fantastic blogs, and updates of your progress, and of course - the photos.

I always enjoy your blogs OB, and I think you're a very very very hard worker! When you've finished you can come round mine, I've got a path needs replacing ... maybe on that day off that Ali gives you in October?

Silverbelle: thank you kindly and work....pah, I'll be home at 8.30 at night and straight out taking up the patio slabs next to the decking!!lol

Jan65: I think you've told me a secret you shouldn't have there...a WHOLE day off? I was expecting just a half day - WOO HOO!!

Well done you ..always a shame when work interferes with erm more work .

You ve achieved a lot in a short space of time and ponds and paths need bedding in a period of time to allow them to settle .. ladies dont seem to get this concept .

As we sit and ponder it looks like laziness but its in fact serious planning often only properly achieved with a cool one .

Jane often comes to interrupt me and i completely lose my train of thought meaning I have to open another and gather my thoughts again ..

Thank you Ray. At last someone singing from the same hymnbook!

I feel that many a cool one will be quaffed in the coming weeks as I sit, perplexed over my next move....

Thanks for the understanding sir!!

I agree there Bb you have got to sit back and take stock now and again and a cool one helps to stimulate the brain cells (or in my case cell) so that the planning stages can thrive and prosper, any interruption will always make those plans take a step backwards and yes another cool one is needed to re-gather the train again, or in my case once again, I would have to put the train back on the tracks!!

Just as well I brew my own now make Janes wine too ..think she coming round ( in the morning ! ) to my way of thinking lol

Yet another great blog Dan! (Dunno how I missed this one!!). Well done you, path finished at last!
Not too keen on the slug pics tho! Eeeeeeew!

I'll second that Hatter, it looks like a get together at the houses of parliment :~))

well done OB a great blog and a lovely pathway to gate, loving the buried head to lol, its come a long way and looks so lovely from the house and deck area, isnt it worth all the pain, i think so, you will have many happy times in your new garden and i cant wait for october when next part begins,, well done you! :o)))

Yep! It does, Digger! Lol!

The slugs aren't as slimy though, eh digs?!!

Thanks SB. It is worth the pain...now my body is starting to recover!! Can't wait for the border to be ready so I can mix it with decent soil before Winter and then 'watch out Spring!'.

:~))))))))

i love the spring and all the lovely spring bulbs, it makes you feel great after winter to see them flower OB :o))

We bought a whack of bulbs the other day, with the last of the garden money, and are looking to pop em in the woodland border under the conifers ready. We got daffs, tulips, crocus and other colourful wonders. Also, planted some small Iris bulbs in a big half-barrel tub for the Autumn so looking forward to seeing them!!

sounds great OB, lots of colour, im going to get more bulbs to this year, it will look so bare in winter so will be ready for some colour by springtime

Autumn coloursorted then! Good stuff! You're so organised! You make me sick! With envy!
Lol ;~D

Not me MP. SB maybe, but not me!

We just happened to pass the bulbs at the GC!

lol OB, im not at all organised, i see something i buy it, i never plan but always thinking, im the same in the house,i look and think i better clean that, or i better tidy today, i wish everything was tidy all the time, but seems i dont have enough hours in a day

I keep thinking about procrastinating but...........

you just did with that word mari lol

but what does it mean????????

Putting things off til later!

How ya doing Digger?

My fingers hurt.......

Your fingers???????

Hey Dan! I havent seen the meerkats around lately, & you promised to introduce me to them!

Yes, my fingers hurt..................

WHY????????????

Typing to much! ! ! !

Ah! Now I understand! You're a big soft s**t yourself!
Mmmmwwwwaaah! xxx