A whole year gone and another "GOLD" at the New Forest Show.  What a year it has been!  With 15 commercial projects and input to the gardens of 18 residential clients, I have been, as one friend commented, "beyond busy!"
We've had a week off in St Ives and 3 weeks preparing for/at/taking down the display at the show, but all worth it in the end.  I'm already working on ideas for three more displays...
Now back to work with several private clients, from both near and far afield.  It is good to have a little more time to do other than work all the time and I'm hoping to clear the decks, then get out in our own garden.  Cooking with George, hopefully getting out in the Forest with the boys, swimming and, with good weather, some sailing in my SCOW, "Peppermint".  A hot summer so far, with lots of sun, but too much work.  Now with luck, the weather will stay fine and the winds will be fair.  If only...

Well, 2012 was an amazing year...  and so far 2013 is pretty good too.
The weather is so mild that I've actually started Spring-cleaning - having been so mad-busy with work all Autumn, our house definitely needs it!  Progress is, at last, being made again on the lean-to behind our house, where I am trying to create a home office and a space to store all the wonderful books I have collected over the many years of my life so far.

The lean-to has single-brick walls;  last year French windows and a small window were fitted;  it now needs insulation, plasterboard, floor and ceiling, wiring, etc.   Then I can decorate it, keeping it simple, clean and light.  My dear sis-in-law has given me fabric for curtains, a friend has given me a large piece of beautiful blue carpet and I have Peter's old desk, kindly given by Jenny.  I'm planning full width shelves...

Now, I just need the builder to come and quote for the construction work  :)