Gnomes in disarray!
I am brave. I am tough. I am woman gardener, ready to go outside into my damp, cold garden. It's mid-summer (well, it's supposed to be), the second day of 2026, and I'm already a day behind schedule, hee hee. But am I prepared for a gnome surprise?
The path is clear...
Two hours later, two barrow loads of wet mess removed, just like that, and I've cleared the garden path behind the pond. Trimmed the shrubs and Phormiums. Stopped when I got too cold and my shorts (and bottom) got too wet.
Laurie the Reading Gnome
Feeling garden-positive...
Often when I'm finishing one task, I immediately see the next task that needs doing. When I'm feeling garden-positive (which should be most of the time?) this is a wonderful thing. Today I noticed the gnomes by the pond. Oh dear me. They are somewhat in disarray.
Book Club thrown into turmoil!
The Reading Stump is disintegrating, throwing the Gnomes' Book Club into turmoil. Several readers have face-planted into the Rock Lilies below.
At the water's edge near the water lilies the Fishing Club gnomes are submerged up to their waists in mud - one indeed may have 'taken the plunge'.
In the wee raised garden Gnomes with wheelbarrows and lawnmowers are lying down on the job. Their New Year's celebrations must have got out of hand?
I have a duty of care. I'll go back outside this afternoon and sort all the chaps out.
Gnomes on the Reading Stump
Late afternoon...
Oh Boy! Success! The gnomes provided great gardening company, if a little static. My tame brown blackbird arrived and scratched at the soil near me. She never flies away, even if I'm slicing weeds with the spade - such a brave bird. We had a very dynamic conversation about worms and bugs.
All is well with the gnomes...
I decided to leave the fishing gnomes where they were. Realised that in the real world they'd be wearing waders. All other gnomes are upright and stabilised, the mess around them removed (three barrow loads).
Blackbird on the New Pond Path Route
New and exciting...
And there's something new and exciting for the garden. Part of the path behind the pond doesn't fit waterside any more, due to excessive shrub growth. It's OK for dogs and cats, but not for humans.
So I've rerouted it up and around one of the big trees. At the moment it stops in the middle of nowhere - haven't quite decided how to join the two ends together. That's another three barrow loads of mess taken out and dumped.
Two complete sets of muddy gardening clothes are soaking in the laundry tub. The gnomes by the pond are grateful - no-one enjoys living in a complete mess, even a gnome. Mind you, a gardener's house is often messier than her garden...
It may seem a bit silly, but I love working with (and talking to) my hoppy brown blackbird. Much more subtle than a dog, much more interested than a cat. If you look carefully at this photograph you'll see her in the middle of the new path.