‘I grow plants for many reasons: to please my eye or to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience, for novelty or for nostalgia, but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow’ (David Hobson). Special thanks to Kimi Harris (the Nourishing Gourmet) for the great inspirational gardening quotes!

I can’t believe that 2017 has disappeared already, behind a great deal of work! I didn’t travel too far in 2017; concentrated on my garden and my new house. The garden is coming along nicely, and native birds are beginning to appear. This has been my aim in converting what was practically a desert of weeds and gravel into a garden that gives shade, flowers, some vegetables and serenity…a place to sit with a glass of wine and enjoy the great gifts we have received. Being grateful is so important – it’s the key to a happy life I think.

2018 will see another step on my life journey – a very major step indeed. This year I will retire from my full-time work. This job has been a journey in itself – building up an office for a Catholic Church organisation that was created ten years ago. It has been an interesting time, and at times very difficult and challenging.

Retirement will allow me to follow some other paths, and tend my garden, and contribute to the planet and its people in other ways. Still a pilgrim on a journey of discovery.