By way of an diary update:
Saturday: Heavy downpours but enough dry spells to get on. Pushed on hard to finish planting up two of the three remaining areas. But by 4pm it was raining and miserable and I ran out of steam. More than that, I completely ground to a halt. Hit the wall. I drove home, bleary eyed, abandoned the van in the nursery and collapsed on the sofa. Poor Dave had to endure an evening of me gloomily muttering ‘What’s the bleedin’ point?’ and swearing I’d never do it again.
The day did have its lighter moments. A vision appeared at the showground gate in the shape of 5’11” Alison, whose first move was to discard her jeans and give her very long, tanned legs a bit of an airing. She proved a hit with me (strong, energetic, positive, fun and lovely) and a huge hit with some of the guys on site too. I shan’t say who, but the words Bay Watch and Amazonian were mentioned… 
Sunday: Couldn’t wake up but had a vague notion of Dave getting up early, very early. A mug of tea arrived at about 6.30 and I hauled myself up, aching and gloomy. But not only had he made me a cup of tea but he’d emptied the van of all the crap from the day before and then left home before me to get to site and make a start. Exactly the support I needed. I got to site just before 8 with one goal in mind – to finish the final two square metres of planting. It took me five hours. More than half of that was spent cowering in the marquee as another big wet squall blew through. Dave helped, handing me plants and trugs of mud to back fill with. Ruth (an Arley Hall volunteer who appears to have defected to me) turned up to provide moral support and the all important clearing up behind me.
You’re probably thinking that I’m making a right fuss about nothing. That it can’t be that hard putting a few plants in, rain or no rain. You’re absolutely right. But the 26th mile of a marathon, uphill into a headwind in the rain is like a second marathon all by itself and that’s how it felt.
So, it’s Sunday night now and there is one day of preparation to go. I know I’m in a much better position than many of the other show gardens who had to press on with planting today in driving rain and a gale to stand any chance of finishing. That doesn’t make me feel better – the success of the show matters as much to me as my personal outcome. The forecast is a little better tomorrow and we’ll make another early start.
Links to pics….
Grace in the rain
Planting finished – lots of clearing up to do
7 Responses to “‘Grasses with Grace’ gets a hammering…”
That is a good man you have there. Best of luck for tomorrow.
Im not surprised you hit the wall…! Remember these moments when it works out fine and remind yourself its hard work when it seems impossible tog et the energy together, moments like this, that make it all the better when the good bits come.
Good luck with it x
Good luck Sue, it is looking well. I am sure your hard work will get its just reward, and then you'll be planning next year!
I am sure you will forget the pain when the public come and tell you how lovely your garden is. Tatton is so exposed and I well remember a couple of shows under thunderous clouds and lashings of rain last year we drove up M6 in torrential rain after press day. Let's hope sun starts shining from tomorrow.
Sue, all that work in the rain was worth it – just seen on the RHS site that you got a GOLD! Many congratulations, wish I could travel down the M6 to see it for myself.
Bilbo in Cumbria.
Excellent, well done Sue (and backup) 😉
Congratulations sue! A gold – not before time. Looking forward to seeing how the top of the polytunnel plants (keep out!) translate to an award winning garden.