The B.A.B.
Am getting ready for the B.A.B. The BIG autumn bonfire - unfortunately I have to use the B-word. Needs must, in a garden full of gum trees, Cordylines and Phormiums.
Gum Leaves in the Driveway
So far today, so good. Well, sort of good. Two hours raking gum leaves from the driveway - only four barrowfuls. Am dumping them by the bonfire ready for tomorrow.
Agapanthus
Not welcome?
After a short break I'm off back to the very beginning of the driveway, to clean up the Welcome Garden (which is not very welcoming, unless you are a weed). Today's plan is to do at least three two hour sessions, making a real statement, being a diligent gardener who attends to details. Ha!
Two hours later...
Have pulled out lots of dry grass clumps and other weeds. But I haven't raked up my mess yet. I will do that (I promise) in my third session.
Another two hours, and five more barrowfuls collected and dumped next to the bonfire, ready for tomorrow. Agapanthus plants dug out of edge of driveway and replanted in gaps in the Welcome Garden. I've been very, very good today. Naturally I haven't finished anything. But six hours is six hours!
Shrubby Lavatera
Wednesday 26th March - B-Day
I burnt for six hours, with breaks. Added nine more barrow loads (sourced from underneath the Leyland Hedge) to the piles ready and waiting, plus armfuls of gum bark from the driveway. My bonfire was very flameful, if there can be such a word (there should be).
The Autumn Bonfire 2025
Found it very hard to keep going. Sat down at one stage and pulled out broom seedlings from Middle Garden. Felt a bit cross, don't really like bonfiring.
Pebbles
Friday 28th March
Spent another three hours collecting the piles of mess next to Pond Cottage. Lots of gum bark, dead tree branches, dried Carex grasses, gum and Cordyline leaves. Burnt the lot.
So much mess...
Then Non-Gardening Partner arrived with a trailerful of mess from the far fence-line. So much mess, coming from all four corners of my property.
I lay down on the damp grass and thought about nice things like music and my cats and dogs. Like you, lovely Winnie dog. And you Pebbles, sometimes lovely, though I wish you would not bark so rudely at me. I am not a dog.
I can do this...
I will wash my smoky hair. I have to go out tonight to a singing rehearsal. I can do this. I will not fall asleep.