Travels in my garden
It has been such a long time since I have written a blog.
I am back in Dunedin after writing most of this blog sitting at my long- time friends Rhonda and Johns house in Balwyn – Melbourne. ( almost two weeks ago now ) Rhonda and I flatted together back in the early 70’s with 4 other girls and it was like going back in time. Our trip to Melbourne to meet our new grandson Charlie and enjoy 3-year-old Mia was extended by 10 days since Philip tested positive with Covid two days before our departure. Consequently, he isolated with his sister and I had more time with our son Matthew and Kara, Mia and Charlie, plus a few days with Rhonda.
Over the past 2 years, since moving into our house in Tarras – Gardening has become my life. Creating and developing a garden plan on an empty 5 acres has consumed me and led Philip and I to plant well over a thousand trees and many thousands of plants – a large proportion I have grown from seed and cuttings. The generosity of my friends who live locally has been enormous – From a trailer load of agapanthus, a boot full of hellebores and peonies, clumps of Phlomis and bags of Alium bulbs of boxes in the post from my friend Rebecca in Nelson. Filling the house with vases of flowers provides so much enjoyment.
Areas have been divided up into walkways with espaliered apples and pears or lined with 15 year old Pinot Noir Grapes. Our driveway is planted out with red Autumnal Canadian Maples and white stemmed Jacquemontii Birches. Garden areas have been designated to whites or blues or even oranges (ridiculous I know ). The area surrounding the house has been levelled, extended and gravelled and we now have an infinity Clutha River view below us. A large native bank is filled with NZ Beech, Totara’s. Kowhai, along with masses of grasses and shrubs. A large perennial bank – which is probably the most stupid undertaking. A fruit orchard, area for nut trees, figs, rows of asparagus. Lines of Feijoas, Hazelnuts and Olives. Obsessive maybe but, our dearest friend Peter Johnstone who had the best eye and knowledge about gardening emphasised the importance of getting your trees in as soon as possible. He tragically died soon after and I am so glad for his advice, since the growth is already staggering.
We have now gone through our first vegetable planting season with pretty hopeless results. Although we did hire a large rotary hoe, the compacted silt makes digging deep pretty hard and along with a lack of water the consequence was lacklustre to say the least. We have an extensive irrigation system on all our trees which can be operated on our phones and now the intensive vegetable and flower planting area is treated to the same. I have learned a new skill and can add new drip lines by myself. For the first time in my life we have a glass house – its rather large since it has been made out of a deck we dismantled. Along with 6 raised beds for berries, currants, vegetables, picking flowers and a “whole” lot of other stuff. I have “a lot“ of seeds to plant again this year, cuttings to take from many of the perennials and a few hundred bulbs to plant.
Time in my kitchen is always part of my day – Autumnal abundant fruit has been made into chutneys, jams, fruit pastes and pickles. Meals are always based around the season and I find one dish meals have become our standard.
I am somewhat unsure and also unclear about my travels, which have been part of my life for the past 20 years.
As for tours: They have always been about a cohesive fun environment where you can make new friends and feel comfortable in a group even if you are travelling by yourself. To provide a culture where enjoyment is paramount, to offer special unique visits with locals, to enjoy 3-4 night stays in gorgeous regions, and in the end delivering endless happy memories.
I have been in touch my friend Daniele who owns the bus company I use in Italy. They have been decimated with Covid like everyone else. Consequently, my lovely Alberto is now driving trucks and the bus fleet has been reduced.
To be honest – I don’t know how to run a tour at the moment – Complications with travel include so many problems :
What do I do if someone gets Covid or I get it?
How to get approval for tour groups Insurance?
Unstable regions in world placing pressure on travel.
However, I am starting to make future enquiries and plans. My thoughts for Italy/France and Turkey is likely going to have to change. I am starting to research the possibility of hiring a villa for small groups. From there we will do day trips, have a chef that will cook, hire a driver and minivan, use local guides, get to know a region. i.e. Umbria, Tuscany, Venice, Rome, Burgundy, Normandy, Provence, Cappadocia. If anyone is unwell they could stay at the villa or choose to enjoy a quieter day.
In the mean time New Zealand and Australia is where I am thinking of starting in the near future. Tours will definitely have a gardening/ foodie theme plus the use local guides to incorporate history and special visits. Even if you have visited these places in the past there is always something new.
I am padding out details and ideas. My thoughts are ….
Late Spring in the South – November …. Starting in Dunedin, Southland – ‘Maple Glen’, Overnight Doubtful Sound, Queenstown / Glenorchy, Wanaka/ West Coast / Trans Alpine Train.
Blenheim / Nelson tour in New Zealand – Early December 2022 or Late February – March 2023….. the magnificent gardens around Blenheim, Wine!!! Queen Charlotte Sound. Historical Nelson with private special visits, Abel Tasman National Park
Victoria / Australia – Late March 2023 …. I planned this tour well over ayear ago and have recently visited areas again. This tour travels in a big arc north and around Melbourne when the Autumn colours are outstanding and spectacular. Plus the tour would start in Melbourne at the Melbourne Flower Show.
Before I advertise these tours I am offering places to precious previous travellers. No obligation. If you are interested send me an E Mail and let me know your thoughts. I have a wee way to go yet and need to update price changes and bookings.
As Winter has finally descended and we hunker down to long slow dishes and soups we need to think about re-emerging safely and carefully – but the thought of spending time traveling with friends is pretty exciting.
Our gardens in Dunedin and Tarras have mostly been cut back. Mulch is still being bucketed and wheelbarrowed by the trailer load. Bulbs are planted, dahlias are ordered and I am organising all the seeds I have collected during Autumn. It feels good to be back at my blog and I intend to be more regular.
XXX Judith
