In which I come across a bit poetic.............

I don’t like the cold weather; I’m a lizard and only really come to life with the sun on my back. However in late January/early February you do get some of the most spectacular, breathtaking nature-related stuff.

I was driving home from my Mum’s house in Buckinghamshire today, back to Evans Towers in Bracknell, Berkshire and I found myself holding my breath as the day drew to a spectacular close. The black, skeletal outlines of trees were backlit by the most amazing apricot sky, shot through with gold, with blue/black clouds like bruises on its face.

I was listening to a fantastic Stu Cox remix of euphoric, uplifting trance which if you were dancing would make you raise your hands in the air, or at least above waist level for the less exhibitionist amongst you. This made the experience even better. For those of you who don’t love spending time rammed in a noisy club with a bunch of friendly, but sweaty strangers you probably won’t get this at all. Don’t worry whatever your favourite soundtrack would work just as well, each to their own.

Ooooh! It’s made me positively poetic.

A steamy time was had by all ........

As usual, over the Christmas break I bucked the trend by refusing to sit around watching rubbish TV and eating Quality Street – well apart from Christmas Day on which these are mandatory activities. Instead, I do what I always do (see Christmas Time is Mulching Time) and stood knee deep in my local stables’ muck heap shoveling lovely free manure into bags and ultimately dumping it out onto my allotment. Four van loads of 40 small bags are sufficient to cover my entire allotment and work off any excess food consumed during the seasonal blow out.

The cold, snowy weather made this always enjoyable activity (I know, most people think I’m slightly strange) even more pleasant – most bracing as well as deeply satisfying. The steam coming off the muck heap as we dug down into it really sorted out my blocked sinuses (a hangover from a vicious virus that was refusing to go away). This same steam also caused great amusement to passing walkers, one even stopped and asked if he could take some photos. Ever the opportunist and a shameless self-publicist I said no problem as long as he sent me a copy and whipped out a business card. So, here are a couple of shots of me and my chum Bob hock deep in muck and loving it!

I am already anticipating a bumper crop next year – can’t wait to get digging which is another of my favourite activities.

Nate Frizzell

When I was training to be a garden designer I was advised to keep my 'visual vocabulary' honed by looking at the work of artists, architects and designers in other fields. It's great advice, but I don't always get the time to visit galleries, walk around looking at gorgeous building, and read magazines, let alone go out and find new, interesting artists. Fortunately for me my partner, Spencer, is very interested in contemporary art and design and has unearthed several really interesting artists - see my previous post about Tessar Lo.

Nate Frizzell is another amazing young artist that Spencer and I really love. Have a look at the creation of this amazing painting Nest, a print of which is hanging on our wall as I write - see image below.

Also, take a look at his transformation of a recycling bin into a piece of art.

Spencer and Linsey's copy of Nest

Henley Show

Yesterday I went to Henley Show, it's one of my favourite things to do all year. I'm not a big fan of large, county-type shows where you can't move for other people bustling you out of the way and pushy sellers harassing you for business - I do empathise, but really give a girl some space! However, I love Henley show, its small, but big enough to potter around for a few hours. The weather is always gorgeous - I've been going for years now and have never got wet (OK, once, but right at the very end as we were leaving). Yesterday was no exception, it was one of the nicest days of the recent, so called summer.

I always go and talk to the Llamas, of course, see my previous post about Llama trekking. They didn't disappoint - I had a good chat with Rupert and he was happy to be stroked and generally interfered with. I love seeing all the different types of livestock - the cattle are always amazing, so gentle and some of them so huge! We also talked to the goats, ducks and chickens, although I must complain about a shortage of pigs - I love pigs. The problem is it just makes me want to sell up, buy a smallholding somewhere remote and knit my own underwear (or whatever)!

I really miss having my own horses, so I spent plenty of time watching the various horse classes and being amazed at their willingness to comply with our bidding - 'You want me to jump over that massive coloured construction? OK, then!'.

I loved every minute. It made me forget about work, which has been manic all year and shows no sign of abating (not that I'm complaining, you understand), and just simply relax and enjoy myself doing nothing in particular. It's a very necessary thing to do if, like me, you're a bit of a worrier and find it impossible to switch off.

Here are some photos that I took on my way round:-

Rupert Llama



Who'd have thought there were so many different types of chicken??



Judging the poultry



Friendly cows



Vintage cars



Pygmy goat



Gorgeous Suffolk Punch



Produce tent - yummy!

Client's with a sense of humour - whatever next!

I've just secured a fab new client with an acre of garden to design in Winkfield Row - lovely! When I first meet a new client my main aim is to try and understand how they want to use their garden, what style they're looking for, how they want to garden to feel. I ask them loads of questions and one I always ask is what would you absolutely hate to see in your garden. This client gave me the best answer to the question I've ever received - 'my ex-wife'!

I think we're going to get on very well .......

George Pelecanos

I first read a George Pelecanos novel on holiday in Italy in 2000. It was the second book in the 'Washington Quartet' series and I absolutely loved it. I have since read everything he's written. Each year I save up his most recently published novel and read it on holiday.

So, I've been a Pelecanos devotee for almost a decade and am rather peeved that everyone else seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. Geoerge Pelecanos has suddenly become part of the zeitgeist. He was a co-writer and producer of several episodes of cult TV show The Wire - which I also loved and watched from its first screening. Now, even President Obama's getting in the act.

Read the Washington Quartet which starts with The Big Blowdown and continues with King Suckerman, The Sweet Forever and Shame the Devil. They're amazing. You'll be totally hooked.

Gardening Courses at Barnsdale

Want to learn a bit more about gardening? Always wanted to know how to build a wall or lay a patio? Check out the gardening courses being held at Geoff Hamilton's famous garden at Barnsdale.

Future Gardens

Need some inspiration, or just want a day out? Visit the Future Gardens display at Butterfly World in St Albans.

Don't visit Sissinghurst?

This is quite interesting Sissinghurst

Some really sweet Goslings in Wokingham

On my way to the pet shop to buy some straw for underneath my strawberries – stops the fruit rotting and bruising on the ground as it ripens, I’m guessing everyone knows that’s why they’re called strawberries – encountered Mr & Mrs Goose having a stroll with their babies. All traffic at a standstill whilst they took the time to amble across the road looking as though they owned it! I took one picture as they hit the verge, then on my way back snapped some more of them just grazing on the verge. How cute are they!?

Andy Goldsworthy

I love the work of British artist/sculptor Andy Goldsworthy - his work harnesses and celebrates nature and is beautiful and inspirational. Take a look at this Web link http://www.morning-earth.org/ARTISTNATURALISTS/AN_Goldsworthy.html and if you're not familiar with his work I guarantee you'll be a convert.

Loseley Park Spring Garden Show 2009

If you fancy getting out into the fresh air this weekend why not come and have a chat with me on my stand at the Loseley Park Spring Garden Show? Its a lovely show with lots of great ideas for your garden and its going to be a gorgeous sunny weekend.

Loseley Park is a beautiful stateley home near Guildford in Surrey, and holds a Spring and Summer garden show every year. This year there will also be one in the Autumn. The shows are smaller than other garden shows, but you will find everything you'd expect at a larger show, but one a smaller scale making it a less exhausting and expensive day out.

Click here for information about Loseley Park and directions on how to get there.

The show runs from Friday to Sunday, opening times are 10am to 5pm and its only £2.50 to get in.

See you there.

Linsey

Front garden paving legislation

If you're considering paving over your front garden to create car parking space, check out this article to see whether you will require planning permission to do so.

New rules designed to help prevent flooding have been introduced by the Government. This means you may need planning permission before you pave over your front garden. So, a phone call to your local authority planners before you start work is always a good idea.

Pink Expertise

Check out my entry on Lynette Allen's excellent site Pink Expertise

If you are an expert in your field go and tell Lynette about yourself.