Bills Garden

We have had a a busy few days. We wanted something unusual for a little pathway through the newly laid out garden- we found just the thing in the form of these slabs with ammonites detail on them, they fit in the colour scheme beautifully.

Now that the plants have started going in ,its really taking shape.

We have got a new patio set to go on the stone circle-cant wait for it to be finished and sit out there with a glass of wine or two!

We saw the giant fish ornament yesterday when we went searching the various garden centres and just had to go back for it today. Its going to live next to the fish pond.

The top of the garden , the patio area next to the house is looking a bit tatty and neglected after the transformation on the other 2 levels of the garden-its going to be the last bit to be finished by the look of things-Bill has got his tomatoes and beans in containers and grow bags on the patio and also some of the plants waiting to go in down the bottom end.The project is nearing the end--its been a lot of work but so worth it.

It will be a minimum amount of work to keep it looking good because of the special membrane that was put down under the gravel.

The summer house is almost ready for the first BBQ to celebrate the new look garden--most of the things stored in there have gone onto Freecycle and have all been collected-all that needs to be done in there now is de-spidering (Defiantly Bills job!)and plugging in the fridge in Bills Bar!!

Bills Surprise 60th Birthday Party!

Well I managed to pull it off!!!

Ive been planing a surprise 60th birthday party for Bill over the past couple of months now.

Its been a nightmare keeping it secret from him-especially the past couple of weeks! I'm sure Bill was starting to think I was having an affair or something.

My mobile hasn't left my side-even taken it to the loo with me in case a message about some of the arrangements came through! There have been some close shaves at times and a lot of deceit going on! Ive had to make excuses to get out of the house to make phone calls and things. Keeping something like this is very difficult when you are with someone practically 24/7 !!

Bill thought he was going to a charity quiz night.

I had arranged with my daughter Becki to ask us to join her team as someone had dropped out! She came to class in the morning and casually asked if we were doing anything last night, even pretended to phone and book a taxi for us-it was already booked.!!
Bill had already got the steak out for tea-had to tell him there was food on at the charity do so he went home and put it back in freezer! I had been convinced that he would find out about it-even when his son rang my phone at 7 '30 last night to see how long we would be, he didn't click! I thought that he would recognise the cars in the car park and realise what was happening-but he only noticed one and says he just thought that he hadn't realised that Jeff was in to quizzes!

I think there is a lot of things falling into place now with him!

We actually got Bill to the top of the stairs and he heard everyone start singing Happy Birthday,and spotted some familiar faces.

He was stunned to say the least!

I have to say a big Thank You to everyone who helped with the surprise--the main one being Bills sister Maureen who had all the replies to deal with and also sent all the invites to Bills side of the family.

She also made some beautiful trifles and shopped for the gateaux too.

I hope she liked the flowers I got her.

Thanks also to my sister who went down to decorate the room at the club-and to Bills sons for what they did too.

It was a wonderful night until the very end when the taxi failed to come for us! Bills eldest lad Carl walked home with us and our 2 friends.

Unfortunately Bill took a tumble a short distance from home and ended up coming home by ambulance-a grazed face and blood everywhere!

He is fine now, and was well enough for us to go out to a beautiful lunch with his youngest son and family. We have had a quiet time since lunch with a few visitors this evening.

Its actually his birthday today-so a big Happy Birthday to my darling hubby!

A big thank you to everyone who came and made it such a special night for Bill-also a big thanks for all the cards and gifts-they were all brilliant.

Garden Coming On Nicely

The garden is coming on a treat--the membrane has gone down on the bottom level of the garden and the lovely coloured gravel and cobbles arrived this morning.

The plants and trees have been set out in the approx places they will be planted.

Bill has sorted out 2 big planters that will hold trailing fuchsias-they will sit at each side at the top of the new steps down to the 3rd level.

The new ultra violet light in the pond has worked a treat and the pond water is now as clear as a bell!!!.

The fish are rushing to the side of the pond to be fed as soon as they hear footsteps on the patio! As soon as you throw the food in they sound like a load of pigs eating!!

You wouldn't believe the noise they make munching away!

The biggest one who is called Moby for obvious reasons pushes everything out of the way like a bulldozer, no wonder he is the size he is!

Changes In the Garden

There are going to be some big changes to the garden.Bill has decided that its not worth trying to grow vegetables on the bottom level of the garden.Its such a lot of work and the results were quite disappointing last year.So he is going to turn it into a flower garden instead.We have been and bought a lovely weeping willow tree and loads of plants to put in, but the first major job is to make some new steps down to the level, like the ones we have from the first level to the second.The original steps are very steep and I didn't like going up and down them.So Bill is going to make some new ones.The bricks and concrete have been delivered and its just a matter of getting it done now.Its not a quick job but it will be lovely when its done.