The rest of my Wednesday…
Earlier in the day I was on site watching sturdy fellows and yellow diggers swinging vast rocks
around the place to build a very magnificent retaining wall upon which I intend to balance a large steel chute from which will pour a torrent of water making a waterfall behind which you can walk. A Last of the Mohicans moment. There is something very exciting to me (even now) about diggers, large heavy objects and lots of mud.
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Then went to London to the RHS Forum (about which I have written enough already) followed by Jane Owen’s book launch at a wine bar in the city. I went there with Ann-Marie, Kevin Smith (from Gardeners World Magazine) and Julia Wylie (a very talented gardener who used to work for me but then left to go and live in London). After a rather surreal moment on the tube when I bumped into a friend of mine whom I have not seen for about a decade we found the place.
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Had an interesting conversation with the very smooooth Stephen Bennett (grand fromage in charge of RHS Shows) where I complained about the debate and most other aspects of the RHS and he very diplomatically listened – and explained things. Also present was Stephen Lacey (sporting a shirt best described as aquamarine) and assorted others – including Oxford dons, publishing moguls, school friends and the delightful Camilla Swift from SAGA magazine.
(I always feel odd writing lists like that as, many years ago, I attempted to make my living reporting on parties and had to produce lists of attendees. Usually one tried to append a suitable adjective: for example suave (meaning oily – and usually foreign), ebullient (drunk), effervescent (drunk and tarty), serious (foul tempered) or dignified (just remaining upright in spite of everything).
Jane’s book- 100 Ways to a Beautiful Garden – is very small but perfectly formed. It is an alphabetical list of useful hints and information wittily recorded. A perfect stocking filler at only £3.99.
I say this with authority as I have read the whole thing from cover to cover having been afforded this valuable opportunity by Virgin Trains. Thank you Mr Branson for without you I would have been home earlier and would have been deprived of that happy half hour just outside Watford Junction.
I am listening to a Banana Split for my Baby by Louis Prima. The picture is a little blurry but is of the always spectacular view downriver from the Festival Hall.
Today is my brother’s birthday. Have a jolly one, chief.