Constant Gardener

There was a time when I was little & my Grandfather was still alive that the farm's gardens literally attracted visitors - people would come down what was then a quiet country lane, come to the gate & ask if they could take a walk around - Granddad always seemed to say yes - he loved his garden & loved seeing people enjoy it.
After he passed away the upkeep of the garden passed to my Nan - who dutifully, with love and a quiet passion, kept it looking the same for many years. Eventually age took it's toll - both on Nan and the gardens - large parts fell to wilderness - we needed to get builders in to demolish the large glass houses as they became dangerous - trees grew enormous and then fell - it all became too much really. Then Nan found David the gardener - I quickly stopped questioning why she spent all her pension on a gardener - it was obvious that something needed doing - and this was how she wanted to move on. David's managed (& he's now seventy five himself!) to at least keep on top of most things - he long since surrendered some area's (there was once nearly two acres of managed garden) - but he's kept some area's looking great - and Nan's happy that that honours Granddads memory enough.

But one area that Nan has always maintained herself - even though just bending down must be a struggle for her now - is the loveheart in the front path that Granddad built and planted for her when they moved into the house all those (sixty plus) years ago - twice a year it's planted with different colourful flowers  in spring - and always bright red begonias in summer - literally a labour of love.