I am on a weeks leave from my stressful job and much to the amusement of colleagues I am as usual spending as much time as possible in the garden and not going on a ‘proper holiday’. Last Wednesday (14.3.07) it was a lovely sunny day I was in the greenhouse pricking out bedding plants the air was filled with bird song , two mallards were swimming about in my wildlife pond, frogs were croaking, bees were buzzing the only reason to stop what I was doing was to help a butterfly find it’s way out of the greenhouse . The peace was shattered by an aeroplane flying overhead taking all those people on a ‘proper holiday‘, worrying if they have packed everything, setting of early to avoid the traffic, sitting in a busy airport for a few hours hoping the flight is not delayed. Once on the flight worrying their baggage might not make it and the hotel might not be nice etc. I thought to myself I know where I would rather be, stress free in my garden doing what I enjoy best. I wondered if any other readers enjoy spending their holidays in the same way as myself.

Trudi Wynn
Hi
Too right.Last year my sister went to Cuba.The stress was crazy. Have I put the tickets where I can find them? What clothes do I need? Do I have to get an injection? How much money should I take and so on and so on.Me I put out the table and chairs on the patio and put the umberela up.If thats what a holiday does to you then you can keep it.Every time a plane went over I would wave at it and say have a nice time sis.
There is always so much to do in the garden like drink cold beer and get a bit of a tan.Any work can be done at your own pace and at the end of it, when you see the difference you have made it just gives a great feeling. Yea keep your holidays give me the garden everytime.
Bazza

Hi trudi

Absolutely, I know exactly what you are saying I'm of the same opinion as you a few hours in the greenhouse is a perfect de-stress and in May/June when the fruits of our labours are put out in the garden for all to see - well it makes all those hours pricking out and potting up all worth while. Another of my hobbies is fly-fishing again sheer bliss, peace, quiet just the babbling brook to interupt my thoughts and I always put the fish back so i can sleep at night!!
So yes I agree with you 'stuff the Costas' and let's enjoy the gifts on our doorstep.

Speak to you soon

Rgds

David

lol - I truly am at your dismissal of holidays in exotic locations in favour of pottering about the garden and greenhouse - and especially at the image of Bazza glugging cold beer and getting a 'bit of a tan'.

Well, let's face it, it's a lot cheaper staying at home and you don't have to spend half the night in an airport. I understand the lure of a garden, but I've got to get myself to a good beach every so often. If only I had one on the doorstep....

hi trudi
got to say love me hollies
went to the virgin isles last year well worth all the packing stress .then home .fire into the garden .have bbq a few beers and guess what you would never think you had been away

Sarah B
Hi
Ok so you are in your bikini streched out on a deckchair or something similar, soaking up the sun.I bet though your every other thought would be about how your daisy or aliums or marigolds are coping back home without you, right.
All you got to do is get a couple of bags of sand from the local garden centre and spread it out on your patio.Get the washing up bowl out of the sink and soak your feet. Put one of those spanish music tapes on and then just pretend.Same effect as going away without all the worry lol,and the money you save means you can get more things for the garden.
Bazza

Well, Bazza, last night I had a discussion with Brian on the idea of not flying off to the sun, but spending more time in the garden and using all that money we'll save on 'portable greenhouses' and other bits and bobs we'd like to get.

Problem is, we're both divers and we need to get an underwater fix every so often. I suppose there is the local Lakes down the road. Love the idea of a sandpit though.

Well, we solved the problem by moving to Spain to live so definately no holidays required now!! Actually I'm very lucky as my husband is older than me and retired so I'm not having to work at the moment so my whole life is one long holiday.

However am busying myself with growing veggies etc and as you all say wandering around either early morning or early evening (with a glass of wine in my hand) and looking at the produce of our labours is really satisfying.

Fingers crossed the UK weather improves soon and you will need the umbrellas to shade you from the sun not the rain.

Hi all
I take back all I said in my above post. Can't do with this weather anymore rain rain rain. I think Lynda's got it right.Been to Spain a few times loved it. Wonder if she's got a spare room.??
Bazza

Hi Bazza

Does this mean you might actually go on holiday OVERSEAS! Bit of a heatwave in southern Europe at the moment. Kent is still quite pleasant right now, but if I lived in Oxfordshire I might be looking to jump on a plane and escape the rain.

(web editor)