In the fast lane

Gardening is supposed to be about peace and contentment but the last few days have been more than hectic for me - you know the phrase headless chicken. A friend remarked yesterday that she too had gone through a rather roller-coaster week and wanted to go and lie down in a dark room. I know how she feels!

Keeping on top of the website and all the news and information that everyone sends in is a job on its own, but add to that the fact that we have to visit gardens, go out there and meet all you wonderful people and dutifully report back - well it can get a bit hectic. However, it is a nice kind of hectic and I would much sooner be doing that than sitting in a traffic queue waiting to go to an office each day. We are very fortunate in that respect.

The thing is we are all enthusiastic about our gardens and want to share that with others, which is great, and it is that kind of 'gardening freemasonry' which adds so much to our gardening lives.

So this week found me at Holker Hall with Lord and Lady Cavendish in their delightful and very spiritual garden. It is always a pleasure to visit Holker Hall and the enthusiasm of Lord and Lady Cavendish is infectious. Their knowledge is awesome but what is more uplifting is their complete "oneness" with their garden and the sheer delight of sharing that with others.

Very careful thought goes into their preparations for each season and how they can make their garden even more appealing to visitors both young and old. The spring garden was already bursting into life and there was plenty of colour. If you have never visited Holker Hall near Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria you should make an effort to do so, you will be richly rewarded with a special gardening experience, as well as all the other attractions which are on offer, including some rather good special Cumbrian food.

As April progresses we have a number of trips to make the first of which will be a special feature on the gardens of Staffordshire. So keep logging on for that. Not long to go now before Chelsea and we will continue bringing you up-to-date news on the build-up.

If I had time to go and lay down in a darkened room I probably would but think I will content myself with re-potting my cuttings, talk to my plants, and try not to notice the weeds. That should be good for a start.