Going trekking...
Today's trekking circuit in the garden. I clear paths in the Hump, tip the soft weeds under the hedge, pick up the nearby non-compostable mess, wheel it over to my bonfire, then return to the path via the mulch pile.
These Boots are Made for Weeding?
The wheelbarrow goes round and round my garden - empty, full, empty, full, empty. I get plenty of good exercise. The dogs get lots of walking, and the two Fred cats can follow along behind, should they choose to. There's nothing too mentally demanding. Beautiful spring shrubs and blossom trees to enjoy. Nothing too physically scary or intrepid - just lots of gentle plodding. Elevation fairly constant at 100 meters above sea level. Easy peasy!
To get in the mood, I'm starting another trek in the Indian Himalayas with my new Youtube man friend. I will slurp my second cup of tea, breathe deeply, and contemplate the Himalayan foothill paths stretching out. And then I will launch myself into my real garden.
Visualisation is over-rated!
Alas - I'm already visualising a pristine, well-organised, weed-free Hump Garden, dotted with semi-shade loving shrubs and mulched paths. Such a trap, this - visualising success is sooooooo over-rated! How about this? I can also visualise a line of under-gardeners, busily carrying loads of mess out, and barrowing in beautiful large grade shrubs straight from the nursery. Like the porters on my Himalayan trek? Well, I only have one of me, and so far only one shrub to plant (a seedling red Camellia from a friend), and that's that.
Camellia By The House
Lunchtime...
Hmm. So each circuit takes me almost an hour. I've only completed three so far, and my hands are already a bit achy. I have to play piano in a Joni Mitchell tribute concert this weekend. I'm sure my singer would prefer fluid, expressive, creative piano accompaniment, not my stuttering, over-used, under-strength gardener's fingers. Weeding is very finger-intensive - well, the way I weed is.
Progress?
An amendment to my plans - the wind is whooshing around, so I'm tipping my burnables on the fence-line near the mulch. But I am making progress. Yes? During every trip I stop to pull out some parachute weeds - just a few.
Just think - I might even get this garden finished and planted by sundown. Back outside I go. Dear reader, apologies in advance, for there will probably be a couple more updates before the day is over - me revving myself up.
Two hours later...
Hopeless. Only two hours, and I'm back inside. But I do have an excuse - Winnie the dog has been 'popping over' to visit the neighbour. This is not allowed, so she is under house arrest. And when I looked up from weeding in the Hump, she was not visible. But here she is, a lazybones dog, snoozing on the dog couch.
Naughty Winnie Dog!
So I'm going to have a snack (an organic orange), then return to my work. I have to do this. There are still three hours of gardening day left. I can do this. I can finish something.
Two more hours later...
I did my best. But by 4:30 both dogs were totally bored and I'd run out of puff. Mind you, I had stopped a lot to pull out parachute weeds. And nearly seven hours of garden work is not to be sniffed at. Now which sounds better?
- I didn't finish all of the Hump Garden.
- I finished a part of the Hump Garden.
I prefer the latter, hee hee.
Mulched Paths in The Hump
Now a hot shower, and then perhaps I'll rejoin my Youtube trekking group. We are plodding over some beautiful alpine meadows to the Kuari Pass. A lovely thing to do after a big day in the garden.