Apart from the lengthening hours of darkness, the hours that are spent in the garden are even more treasured. Now that all the hundreds of bulbs have been planted, the borders cut back, shrubs and bushes shaped and made tidy, there is a restful almost monastic peace about the place. This serenity is far removed from the growing mayhem that is the build up to Christmas and the neon lights of the towns and cities. But I like the garden all the more for being a refuge away from the crowds of shoppers. The greatest gift for me at Christmas is one of time and a luxury present it is too when the majority of my time each week is at work.
I am particularly looking forward to the time I will have this Christmas to begin work on creating a floor for the Orchard Room. I will replace the grass, much dried out and worn, with a more solid base which will look so much better. The hard labour will do me no harm while keeping me active and away from the sofa and television for a while which seems to be the habitat of most at this time of year. I just hope that the weather will be kind.
But that is for a month or so away. In between times I can now just potter around the garden attending to the odd task or chore and letting myself drift along just like the garden seems to be doing. Quietly, peacefully, serenely.
