Remembering my Gardening Hero (Dad)

On Remembrance Sunday, I think of my gardening hero (dad) more than usual.

When World War Two started he was still a boy so joined the home-guard. When he turned 18 he was sent off to serve his country.

Solace in the Garden

He only told our mum a few of the horrors that he’d witnessed.

No wonder he took solace in his precious garden. Grateful to be alive, having left friends where they lay on foreign soils.

He was never happier than when he was in his gardening clothes, digging his vegetable patch and tending his flowers. Just like Monty Don his faithful dog was never far away.

I don’t like the Worms!

When I was a little girl I wrote, I like helping my daddy in the garden, but I don’t like the worms!

As a gardener myself now, I know they’re my best friends! I’m always rescuing them from precarious situations, but I still don’t like picking them up without gloves!

Harvesting the Beans

I remember mum and I being involved with runner bean harvests. After mum had chopped and blanched them, I was allowed to put them into bags ready for the freezer. I now turn my own beans into ready meals for the freezer, mainly curry.

Treasure

Only last week my brother found dads old gardening pen knife. He kindly gave it to me, as the only one to have inherited dad’s passion for gardening. I can’t tell you have thrilled I was and I will treasure it!

Raise a glass!

Dad was always glad to stop and sit in his garden, enjoying his cup of tea and a biscuit. Well, I’m not really a tea fan, but at the weekend I do like to stop and sit at the end of the day (usually in the greenhouse), with something a bit colder.

Cheers to all that fought and continue to fight for our freedom. We do remember you!