My Garden

There is usually a point in a large project when the full gravity of the undertaking hits home. This time it’s been a bit different. Perhaps waves would be a good description; small waves of concern interspersed with larger waves of panic, all wrapped up in an extremely thin veneer of total confidence and self assurance.

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With less than a week before we arrive on site it’s a case of checking and double checking all the plans. No matter how many times I go over the build schedule I still feel there’s something I have forgotten. You try to think of everything, knowing full well that something unexpected will come along and test you at some point.

Have given several interviews recently there is one question I dread being asked; it always crops up and I hate it.

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There are some things in life that only those who have actually experienced them can truly comprehend. Amongst these I would imagine looking at the Earth from space, being the Queen, and becoming a mother, ouch! One that I don’t have to imagine is designing a garden for Chelsea. If you add to this that I am repeating the process at Hampton Court and Tatton Park there are only very few people who could possibly empathise. Help!!! I could shout, but I know there is no one out there.

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I have long held the view that a great deal can be told about people and organisations by examining their lavatorial arrangements. This is not a view I have arrived at hastily or without a great deal of research!

For example, the lavatories at my secondary school were totally in keeping with my overall experience of the establishment. However, on a recent trip in search of Cordylines, I found myself at the other end of the scale. I had never visited Europlants before so had no idea what to expect. On arrival I naturally made for the loo. A few minutes later I emerged enlightened. They would have the plants I wanted, in good condition and the staff would be both polite and helpful. They did and they were.

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