Elspeth Thompson

This morning, instead of enjoying a some moments with a coffee and a few pages of a book, whilst glancing, from time to time, down the garden to watch the birds and to imagine how things will look in a few days, weeks, months time, I feel I should write something about Elspeth Thompson. In an earlier blog I mentioned her book 'A Tale of Two Gardens', the very book I am enjoying at the moment. It 's a beautifully written, well-observed and delightful account of her progress with both a city and a coastal garden, and also an allotment - flowers, vegetables, successes and failures. Since 1996 Elspeth Thompon has been writing her columns for the Daily Telegraph. Last Thursday, aged 48, she took her own life. The Telegraph heads her obituary by stating that she 'had a particular talent for bringing beauty to the places where she lived, no matter how uncompromising those places first appeared' and that 'she always worked with great imagination and enthusiasm, and conveyed as much to her devoted readers.' She leaves a husband and young daughter. Her writing is a great inspiration to me and I only wish I had a fraction of her talent. Copies of the above mentioned book are for sale in the remainder bookshop in Sutton for £1. I've bought a couple of extra copies - one for my sister and one for my friend - I know that both of them will enjoy it as much as I do.

The weather is teasing us. Yesterday was dark and wet, and even snow is forecast for some areas. I had a very pleasant day on the plot, on sunny Sunday. I was rather late arriving there, in the morning, and chatting to my fellow plot-holders delayed me even longer, but I don't mind as it's all part of the community spirit. I began by covering the new arch with a strong plastic trellis, so that my heavily laden (hopefully) squash plants will have something substantial to clamber up. My friend Brian gave me two metal posts to knock in, in order to strengthen the uprights. John and Mike had been busy during the week, and laid all the remaining flagstones. Now I have a smooth path right down to the shed. Also, some little 'fairy' had planted up the front of my plot with wallflowers. I wonder who that could be! Then Peter and Jane arrived. Peter had brought me some strong wooden stakes, as promised. These will also help to support the arch(es) - a belt and braces approach. Haven't seen Jane for some time, and what lovely news. It won't just be the vegetable plots bursting with life this year! After returning home for lunch and a quick glance at the paper, I was back on the plot for the afternoon to finish off the arch, and to put up my bean wigwams - perhaps a bit early, but I need to finally establish where I will be growing certain things. This time I was on my own - just me and my music (playing softly, so that I could hear the birds). Higher up the hill there seemed plenty of activity. When I arrived home, Mike seemed very amused by something. Had I really walked home like that - my face was filthy!