still here

As I haven't posted for some time I thought I had better do something otherwise people will think I have passed to the great garden above.

There used to be a saying in the 60s, something to the effect of "stop the world I want to get off", the last few weeks reminded me of that saying. What a funny world it is. People making long lines outside banks to withdraw money, the dreaded foot and mouth and now blue tongue, oh and don't forget the odd tornado.

That lovely Lewis Hamilton got done out of his podium finish at Belgium with a nifty move by Alonso (alleged) and after a cracking start one frets that Liverpool FC are starting to show a familiar pattern of torpor with a run of draws. On top of all that the 'chosen one' left Chelsea, and the only bit of thinking woman's crumpet in the football manager stakes is taken from us. No more shrugs, sighs and referee bashing - the Premier League just won't be the same.

It is just as well I threw away my copy of Nostradamus, otherwise I would be seeing things in the runes.

There is one bright spot though - I have a couple of cracking dahlia in flower and I am really pleased with them. There is a garden near me which is ablaze with those lovely plants, and at Harrogate the Autumn Flower Show was absolutely alight with them. Never have I seen such lovely plants in a long time. It has been a rotten summer for most gardeners and growers and those who exhibit have had a hard time of it, but for the dahlia it has been a fantastic year.

They say in every adversity you have to look for something positive, so just look back on the terrible summer and think about how you have grown in experience in managing your garden despite the downpours and for those who queued up outside Northern Rock be thankful that after that long wait you did at least get your money out!

Today the weather has returned to Autumn mode, the winds are picking up and the downpours coming again, never mind, there is always Agatha Christie on telly and if you get really fed up you can go rummage through your gardening books and start thinking about next year.

Me, I am looking forward to planting my spring bulbs in pots and having several of Rino's devine dinners at the Heron before winter really sets in. There is also the Garden Writers' Guild lunch to look forward to in November and my birthday, a particular one which is a little milestone in one's life, but about which I am keeping a low profile.

Anyway, for those of you who tune in regularly to this occasional blog, you now all know that I am still here and busy planning the autumn features for Recklessgardener. Keep logging on.