What a summer... Well it was when I started!!

Okay so my promise of more blogging is as reliable as the British weather, but I really have been busy! 

I've had three projects on the go including various consultations (a glorious way to get to walk around other people's  gardens and talk shop).  

The project in North London saw me juggling the logistics of child care and m25 traffic, along with shovelling 3 tonnes of top soil and the same amount of Cotswold gravel. I have always said gardening is better than a gym membership. But in this case I wish I'd had the gym membership for about 6 months to make sure I was strong enough beforehand!  

But it was glorious weather (yes this post began back in July, but let's just skip over that part) and with lovely clients the job was soon finished in time for his fortieth birthday. 

My other two projects a planting plan and  garden design have been phased works.  The designs were  finished and approved  in the summer but the planting plan couldn't start until the autumn (autumn and spring are the best time to plant).   This project will be a work in progress as we plant each border when it becomes ready. I'll post some photos when the borders begin the bloom. 

As I am still quite a newbie to Newbury it's taken a while to find a good landscaper who can do the job and to find a time when he is free to start the work. But eventually in February Pete from all aspect landscape started work on my first Newbury garden build.  

I love the beginning of a garden build, it's like putting the first mark on a canvas or the first chip in the marble. I also love the clients reaction when they see the design they have only seen on paper, marked out on the ground. 

I'll be posting photos as this project develops. 

The beginning of the year has seen, quite frankly abysmal weather, storms, high winds, rain and yet more rain. But to distract me from staring dismally out the window like Sally in The Cat in The Hat, I had the party of a lifetime to get ready for!! 

Venise sous Paris was an 18th century Venetian ball in the heart of Paris. Casanova's Palace!  Dress code was of course strict so I set about making a harlequin costume to match ma soeur Colombine. Pinterest had me obsessed again! And the local fabric shop's profit increased astronomically! 

eBay was attacked with gusto,Two "no sew tutus" and a ruffle later..... All I needed was a mask. So who better to go to than "just posh masks" and one harlequin mask complete with bells arrived to my squeals of delight. 

Ma soeur et moi arrived in Paris, lugged my luggage up six, yes SIX!, flights of stairs (no wonder Parisians are so svelte).  It was worth it for the view, champagne, sausage and cheese. 

The ball was magnificent. On arrival we were taken into a plague doctors room (it was 18th century Venice), a court of law and a prison (Casanova was imprisoned for 2 years for a close "friendship" with the doges wife) Then an audience with Casanova himself! (Of course he was very charming!)

Then we danced, not quite until dawn but at least unt my feet hurt so much I had to take my harlequin boots off. But not before I had done the split at the foot of the doges throne!