The garden was beautifully laid out and kept in its heyday (so we are told), but had been neglected for seven years when we moved in. Unfortunately we have no "before and after" pictures, but to indicate the state in which we found it, it was not practical for a strong man (i.e. much stronger tham me) to reach most of the property boundary from within the garden because of the density of the trees and undergrowth.
With extensive cutting back and felling, we can now walk almost everywhere, and in the process have discovered features such a birdbath, a stone bench, fruit trees, berry canes, walls, and paths which were not visible initially.
A few recent pictures follow to indicate the state of the garden in 2004.
Sorting out the walled garden
Gnot a Garden Gnome.
Valerie goes potty each time we visit a garden center.
New scuplture by Neill Fuller, bought while wandering around the North of Scotland on our anniversary tour.
Autumn bonfire, Alan has been clearing some paths.
Valerie needs no pattern to knit baby clothes, she makes them up as she goes along, and they usually fit well, only minor force is needed to insert the babies. She has some pattern books — "Teddy Bear Knitting", "Cat Knitting" — I recently saw her reading "Baby Knitting" and felt anxious. However, we ended up with a scarecrow. He seems a nice lad, so I took him on a tour of the garden not long after the storm.
He did not offer to help with the greenhouse or the raspberry nets.
May 2005.
We have a replacement greenhouse, which we plan to erect in the old steading. Pictures to follow.