Terrible terrible dilemma

Although this post appears under Hedgelands Garden Rescue it is in fact about a decision I have made to relinquish Steve’s garden to someone else who can create their own dream garden or space.

I have had frequent reminders from family and friends that my financial resources are too feeble to enable the work that needs doing. I was being quite stubborn (one of my less attractive traits) and insisting I could carry on with my plans to rescue the trees at least from the snarl of brambles and tackle the work on the house as best I could.

In preparation for support of my idea of staying and doing the work myself I had three estate agents value the property and give me advice on how works would affect the value. Well all three said don’t waste your money and especially not on the garden. Hedgelands is a rennovation project and its appeal lies in its location, situation and the fact that it is a blank canvas with some very nice mature trees and a stable block.

This was a difficult message to hear but one I finally heard. And just as well because a number of white goods have decided to ‘die’ and the works to repair the mess left by the chimney stack has proved to be more expensive than expected.

With a heavy heart I decided to put Hedgelands on the market. I know that even though this isn’t the path I would like to take it is the right one for me at this moment (I hope!). I can’t do justice to the garden nor can I do justice to the house. It will not be easy to leave but I have my memories and will take a few survivors with me.

Hedgelands is now listed on Primelocation and is being sold by private tender (informal sealed bids) by Stags Tiverton office.

I’ve spent this morning showing three sets of people around and roughly a dozen have seen it this week and it hasn’t even been in the papers yet.

I did indeed have the guttering renewed and two windows replace and the stack has now been repaired and rendered on the outside. Some images are posted for you to see. The builders Jack in the Green have done a great job and I can wholeheartedly recommend them for traditional and modern rennovation and repair work.

Steve’s favourite birds (swallows) turned up on Good Friday and are having a feast on the clouds of insects. The birds are creating a din with their calls and so the cycle begins again. Hedgelands the nursery for young animals and new life. The plants that have survived thus far are thriving if obscured by the brambles, nettles and weeds. I am hopeful that some of his trees will survive the transformation.

I will definitely miss living here. It is a lovely spot. The first eight years were fabulous and creating the garden with Steve was so rewarding on so many levels. The small amount of work I’ve done since he died hasn’t been very enjoyable and that is down to Steve not being there.

The garden was Steve’s dream and I was priviledged to share in that dream. Now I know it is time to let someone else create their dream here at Hedgelands.

I hope that people will continue to read Steve’s blog and enjoy the doggerel and banter.