The test

It seems strange to sit here with no sounds of stonecutters, drills, hammers, men’s voices, cement mixers. The garden is complete. Maybe not quite so as someone will have to return later with the daffodil & narcissi bulbs for under the silver birches – it’s too early for the bulbs to be on the market yet.

On Saturday we sat outside, popped some champagne to celebrate the completion. We had a good explore. There’s still a few extras we would like – some extra tables & chairs, some nice pots. We put the bird table in its new home & the birds have quickly found it. Life is getting back to normal.

We were told to water the lawn every day for the next week to give it chance to establish. We duly set the sprinkler off on Saturday.

We didn’t bother yesterday. The tail of Hurricane Bertha blew across with a downpour of water. (Even now I’m feeling a little on edge due to noises from outside, only now they’re the winds whistling around.) I’m pleased to say for all the water that arrived there isn’t a single puddle, let alone lake, in the garden. All that drainage must have worked.

The winds, however, have taken their toll. The magnolia is almost devoid of leaves. At the other end of the garden the ground beneath the silver birches is covered with leaves. There’s some flattened delphiniums in one bed and a snow of rose petals in another. I’m telling myself not to worry. The main thing is that the roots are still in the ground, presumably settling into their new home. New leaves & flowers will appear some time, even if it’s next year now. Either way I’m sure if there’s any damage it will be rectified when the company comes back with the bulbs & a stone seat for under one of the pergolas.

On the whole we are pleased with the result, just a bit impatient for everything to bush out & blossom, but that will take a year or two. The bees & the butterflies seem to be liking it too.