however you say it, they’ve got to go in, so that is today’s job, despite reading today that we have had less than half of the usual April rainfall. The ground is certainly dry, and looking back to the winter when we were under water in the garden, and the donkeys were floating, it seems surreal.

Helping me dig are my favourite tools.

My first job was at a garden machinery and contracting place in Monkspath in Shirley. Home to Audi showroom and workshop now I gather. I saved up from my wages of £2.10.00 per week (£2.0.0. to my mother), to buy these tools for my parents as a special Christmas present to say “thank you” (for what? Having me? Rearing me?, To share my first wages? Anyway it seemed appropriate at the time).

Full sized hand fork and trowel, dibber and small trowel for planting seedlings, a hoe and a rake (the rake didn’t make it). All in stainless steel with wooden handles (which I oil regularly). I think they were about £2.0.0. each with the large tools being closer to £3.0.0.

I made sure they came with me when I sold up their (our) house on their demise, and they have travelled with me since. Sandie also has her parents implements so we are not short of tools for the job.