Well, it’s that time again, the usual Christmas letter of our exploits, albeit curtailed by the restrictions due to this awful virus.
Then again, we are some of the lucky ones. We have a nice spacious home and garden, with lots of jobs to keep us occupied.
The year started well with a real treat, a world cruise on the QM2, starting in Southampton. 99 days of utter relaxation, heading through the Suez Canal and onto Australia to see Judith’s best and oldest friend, before heading back via South Africa. That was before the Corona virus put a spanner in the works.
Initially everything was amazing, especially the early morning transit of the Suez Canal.
After visiting most of the Middle Eastern ports we had to bypass another eight in the Far East, instead heading directly to Australia. A two-week trip, which took us past Malaysia & Singapore and through the straits of Malacca and the Java sea. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to see Krakatoa as we passed Indonesia for Darwin.
Nevertheless, we had a great circumnavigation of Australia, meeting up with Jill and Chris who joined us for the Sydney to Perth leg. A truly memorable get together. It was fantastic to be able to spend quality time on board with our friends.
This came to an abrupt end when we landed in Fremantle and our friends departed.
The Captain advised everyone that the cruise was being cancelled and everyone needed to vacate the ship. They obtained flights back for everyone, although some had to wait in hotels until their flights became available.
We were fortunate, as they found us an Emirates flight that day. A mixture of pills, alcohol and kind dedicated cabin crew enabled Judith to overcome her flying anxiety.
It wasn’t long before we were back in the U.K. and heading back up to Innellan. The day after getting home we were in lockdown. Not an inconvenience, we had to finish the house to obtain the completion certificate.
Prior to Christmas we had come to the decision to enclose the garden room in with insulated walls, large windows and French doors. Had to produce drawings and send them off to the planners for their agreement to amend our plans, which we did. On our return we were gobsmacked to find a letter from the planners explaining that we hadn't any planning permission for any works on the ground floor. For some reason the architect had sent in plans to building control, but not to the planners. We therefore had to produce a whole set of new drawings and re apply for retrospective planning permission for the decking, ensuite bedroom and utility room. The enclosing of the garden room was counted as a new application with the associated costs. Fortunately, after a few months worrying it was agreed and we could get on with the work.
During this time of uncertainty, we kept busy in the gardens. Or should l say we tried to turn a building site into some form of semblance of a garden. We had one thing in our favour. The weather was amazing. Dry and sunny. So, head down, mattock in hand we tried to remove wild couch grass, unwanted discarded objects, massive boulders and rock-hard clay. Once we had cleared one section, we built two raised beds, filling with a mixture of well-rotted horse manure, compost, grit and sifted clay dust. Planting out seeds for lettuce and chard along with a few other veg.
As time progressed in lockdown, we moved our thoughts between the three areas of garden making the most of the weather. Moving plants from pots into the garden and making features to distinguish each area in a marked way. Specifically, the hidden garden, which we made into a bank full of wild plants and an assortment of evergreen trees, albeit in thier dwarf form. Making steps to and from the top of the road down to the bottom of the house in various styles, dependent on materials we had available on site. Especially as all the building suppliers were closed due to the lockdown.
The wildlife garden and pond had started attracting birds, deer and a multitude of other interesting beasts. On wet days l spent time making bird and bat boxes, along with drawing up plans on plants needed once available. Saying that, neighbours came good with cuttings and plants that they no longer needed. As well as the odd plant that we came across during our walks that had been discarded. Found a massive Gunnera root, which seemed to flourish within days in our bog garden.
We made sure stayed fit by walking on a regular basis. Every day we would head out for an hour or two. Living in this part of the world with its low density of population, combined with the fact that you need to use a ferry to get over to us made us feel very safe and protected from the masses.
Once the building supplies were available, we managed to do even more work in the bottom garden, making large wooden cubes and an area sculptured into a Japanese themed garden. Great fun.
As summer came and went and the subsequent in and out of Covid close downs, many plans were cancelled. We had organised for the French walking group to visit and we had arranged a week's trip to Glasgow and Oban with many walks and side tours. Unfortunately, that had to be cancelled. After which we decided to go out to France, but once again travel restrictions stopped this. Then l had a hospital appointment, but due to a mix up with covid tests it was postponed for four weeks. In the end we decided to disappear south and visit RHS gardens around England. We had taken out the membership and it was ending in November without us visiting anything.
Had a fantastic time, considering the restrictions in place. Fortunately, we were able to see relatives and friends prior to the formal lockdown. Popped in to RHS Rose Meare in Devon, RHS Wisley which is the main and largest site, RHS Hyde Hall in Essex and finally RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate. Came away with some great ideas. Once home it was back to work on the garden room, boarding, plastering and eventually flooring out. We started putting decorations up in November, one a day. It was fun and also brought a sense of purpose, especially as we were in lockdown, albeit not the same as in England. The poisoned dwarf likes to make her mark and keep it different to England. The building control have visited and seem happy, so l am now awaiting the written confirmation, after which we can formally request completion certificate. House done our attention as turned to upcycling old furniture from the charity shop, stripping items back, amending the format, painting, over painting, rubbing down and eventually waxing. Very pleased with the results.
Anyway, l think that brings you up to speed on our year. We intend keep ourselves to ourselves this Christmas and New Year. We had hoped to have friends from France here to share in the celebrations, but once again the travel restrictions have put that on hold. Hopefully we will be able to get over to see them in Spring. Fingers crossed. So have a safe Christmas and New Year. Stay positive, it won't be long before things get back to normal.
All our love
Stay safe.
Philip and Judith
Grassy Bottom, Wyndham Road, Innellan, PA237SH. 07934 109744 email bestpep@hotmail.com
View more photos and details of the year and more at the link below http://bestpeptravels.blogspot.com
Comments
Post a Comment