This is the centre-spread of my Junk Journal, (half way there now!) on the left hand page are just some of my doodles and on the right hand side a lovely quote by Kathy Kinney an American actress and comedian and co-host of https://queenofyourownlife.com/. I love the quote.

I know you must be getting bored with the length of time it is taking me to complete my garden project (I am!), BUT progress has finally been made. I’ve done all the heavy building work now, it was exhausting! Although the new greenhouse is the same size as the one that was removed i.e 6ft x 6ft, the base is slightly smaller than the original. So in order to get it to fit without destroying the whole thing I had to dig it all out and line the inside of the box with more blocks and then I put some PVC board on the top of the wall to stop the rain getting in and to secure the greenhouse in place. I have now tidied up a bit and I have constructed the new greenhouse. The instructions said it was a ‘2 man’ job but I managed to complete it, with a little bit of help from Claudine, by myself. The instructions, which consisted of only diagrams, were very difficult to decipher. I got a few things wrong and had to go back and redo them. T was unwell for for much of the time I spent on this work, so I was not able to do it as fast as I would have liked, nevertheless I’ve done what I was able to at my own pace and now the construction is complete.

The truth is I am far too old to be doing this kind of stuff and I have had to take lots of breaks. I think I have done things in the right way. Let’s hope so anyway. During the build it all looked a bit fragile, but now the roof is on it’s all held in place and actually feels quite sturdy.

After the incredible heatwaves we have had this summer the forecast for winter it lots of wind, rain and storms so I am hoping the greenhouse survives long enough for us to grow some food next year.

There is actually still quite a lot to do before the spring. I need to seal it with external quality silicone, repair and replace some of the mosaic work, sort out the central walkway and then deconstruct and rebuild the steps to make it easier for T to get in and out. But, apart from the silicone sealing which I hope to get done this weekend, everything else will have to wait until I return from my trip to France in September.

I am so excited about my French adventure and some to having some quality ‘me time’. I will be away from home for a total of 12 days, 4 days of which will be at the art retreat and a few days with my brother and his wife Mu in Paris. I am really hoping that this whole adventure will re-spark my creativity, because I’ve been missing it for a long time now.

For the next two weeks I will be in ‘packing chaos’! Just how much stuff to I actually need for a 12 day trip? Inevitably I am bound to take more than is necessary (I always do), but I need to remember I’m the one who will have to carry it all on my own.

There is no other news from this end apart from the fact that we are still having very hot weather atm. I’ve never known it to be so consistently hot and sunny for so long. Sitting out on the decking in the evenings feels very tropical at the moment. I can’t remember the last time it rained. The garden is looking very thirsty right now and on top of that we have a hose pipe ban in our area! We can use watering cans, but they are heavy to carry around the garden so the plants are only getting minimal water. I’ve just checked the forecast and there ‘might’ be a little bit of rain next week.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer, look after yourselves.
Big love from me AJ