It seems such an odd thing to say but one of the things that has buoyed me this year is the thought of the life and growth in my garden at home in Beckenham. It’s taken a while since it was all dug up for the kitchen extension five years ago but the back has finally come together with landscaping by Saied at Dulwich Ecogardens and the plantsmanship and maintenance of our friend DJ Hefty, who planned effulgent tulip and allium bulbs to flower during my scheduled stay in April. Sadly I had to make do with the dozens of pictures that Hefty send via Whatsapp, which cheered me even though I could not be there to witness them first hand.

Later in the summer I was delighted to be able to sit on the old swing seat and take in the view of cannas and banana plants and the three New Zealand tree ferns now being used as insect hotels. The new pond was home to five newt refugees, and I was delighted that the little fox from the previous year also chose to spend time hanging out there.

Almost equally pleasing was a final resolution of the #bouldergate saga from two years ago: the two huge boulders that I couldn’t move from the car and then from the drive and patio have arrived their final resting place around the pond and they look splendid.  (Please do click on the gallery images for a closer look)I do like a happy ending.

Hefty tells me that he’s planted some bulbs to flower next spring and I look forward to being there when they do. We’re also planning a more kemt and ecologically friendly landscaping of the front garden. Life goes on.