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Tuesday 26 April 2016

Making a creative space in my Scottish garden.

I am a creative person and I love to have a space which is conducive to creating. You all know we've moved recently and I have a new garden.
Well, I have this...


It's the ultimate in low maintenance gardens - and whilst it would suit some, it doesn't do anything for me. So I am going to change it. I thought too, that I would blog all the changes, so if you want, you can watch as I make a creative space. Like a very slow motion Ground Force, for those of you who remember the programme!

When we moved in, the removal men put a lot of Paul's wood store in that shed. That shed is rotten. I wanted it gone. The first thing therefore, was to make a new store for all Paul's woodturning pieces.
We decided it would have less impact up against the garage at the other end of the garden, especially if we painted it green.
The transformation of our 30x30 plot begins!
Wait! I hear you cry. 30 by 30 foot? Pat, that's tiny, compared to your old garden. That's true, it is. I'll let you in to a not-so-secret. I am getting older with every day. I have moved to a beautiful country. I don't want to be like so many of my older reflexology clients, who were tied to garden work all day because they still had their large gardens. I don't mind some garden work, but not at the expense of seeing this wonderful new country, Scotland. Its magnificence will be my wider garden - and no mowing involved. Why not keep the ultra low maintenance garden then? Because I still love to see plants and flowers and all gravel with no green doesn't do it for me. Are you ready now? Shall we begin?

The woodstore starts...




 The woodstore completed, inside all shelved out and containing Paul's wood.















Have you ever seen any of his turning? Here's a small example... my very own wand and wand stand...





























 
We'll go back to the garden. What does every garden need but a plan?
So, here is the plan, worked out on graph paper, so that everything will go in its place.

Plants have been ordered through J Parkers HERE
Some specimen pieces and rockery plants will come from Bridgend Garden Centre HERE
and if I happen to be in the supermarket and can't resist a special offer, I may pick up the odd piece too.
Mostly though, I am guided with my ordering and specimen plants as to what will grow in Scotland - and it is this book, Garden Plants for Scotland HERE, given to me as a present from my friend Lynne, that is invaluable in making good choices.

This is a long post, the next ones in this journey will be more pictorial. Will you join me for the transformation?




Wednesday 6 April 2016

Equilibrium, Coffee and Kilts.

Hello friends,
here I am, making online visits at six a.m. I am still trying to find an equilibrium in this new life in Scotland.
Outdoors here is so beautiful, as you can see in the pictures below, that at every possible opportunity, I want to be outside.


Plus, we found a little cafe in Cupar, called "Coffee and Kilts" where they allow you to bring your dog!
So after a walk in the countryside, all three of us can pop in for refreshment. In one of the photos, you'll see two bowls behind Paddy, one with water - and one with biscuits!
The human food is pretty delicious too. 




Because my outdoor life has been so enjoyable, it seems to be that I've neglected my internet life. I don't mean to, but there's so much here to do! I've also joined a new art club, which allows me to go along five days a week, should I so choose.
I will find a balance, because I've no wish to lose the online friends I've made; plus I've a book to finish, which is written online. Maybe I should take the netbook to the coffee shop. An internet cafe writer I would be ;-)