Garden makeover

baxie

That is fantastic. I am of the belief that it is stories like this that should be on the news or tv programmes to highlight the goodness in people and the generosity and kindness that can be fostered in communities.

I hope your son thoroughly enjoys his garden, and I hope you post some pictures, especially when the harvest is done.

pinkmouse

What a lovely, uplifting thread. All the best to you Kingfisherblue and I hope your son gets a lot of pleasure out of his garden (although it sounds like he will )

kingfisherblue

I was hoping to post again last night, but just didn't have the energy - my apologies. I was in bed by 9pm.


The volunteers really had their work cut out yesterday morning. It had rained non-stop the previous night and about a third of the garden was flooded where it had been dug out. That had to be sorted before they could do anything else.


By the time the garden was finished, it was after 7pm. They had started before 9am. I cannot thank them enough for their marvellous efforts. They have done a brilliant job.


As you come out of the French windows onto the patio, there is a raised bed with herbs in on either side, and a pot of lavender. That part is narrower than the rest of the garden, as my kitchen is built further out than the dining room. Moving forward, there is the rest of the patio, which has been left as it is. Then there is fake grass, with a large pot containing an apple tree on the right. That's against the beginning of the garage wall. next to it, mounted on the garage wall, is a square piece of wood with a niche cut out, big enough for my son to sit. On there are trays for water and sand play. Sand, a water mill, and sand moulds have been supplied. An overhead beam is where he has windchimes and a dangling spinner with faceted glass balls in. There are two struts where I think I'll add a couple of strings of solar lights.


The garage has a shed extension, and the roof has been fixed and recovered in roofing felt. A door has been made and my son can keep his tools in there. A solar light has been mounted next to the door.


On the left hand side of the garden, level with the start of the fake lawn, is a raised bed containing carrots and beetroot. The garden isn't square - it's a bit wonky, so between the bed and next door's fence, decking has been added to make a shelf. I had some old buckets, so they have been utilised for strawberry plants.


Along the back of the garden, between the neighbour's fence and the shed, is another raised bed. It's a deeper bed, so has a niche cut out for my son to sit in - he'll be able to reach better. At the front of the bed are peppers and tomatoes, and at the back are a pear tree and a plum tree. The back fence (concrete sections) and the brick shed have been painted white.


Both veg beds have a couple of solar lights in. The weather station is also there, and also a pinwheel and a lovely butterfly made from strong silver wire and a variety of coloured stones (I bought it in Aldi for £2.99).


The charity have also provided my son with a seated walker, that he can push around the garden. He can sit down wherever he wants, and there is a box under the seat for him to store his garden tools. They have given him seeds for next year, a trowel, small fork, and weeding tool, plant labels, and some gardening gloves with bees on, as well as a ball to play with.


Of everything above, I only provided the pots, windchimes, danglers, pinwheel, weather station, and wire butterfly.


The garden really does look fantastic, even in the rain that is once again gracing us with it's presence! There is plenty of space on the patio for my small garden table, and for a barbeque as requested by my other son. I also have a small plaque that says "R's garden".


Best of all, though, was the reaction of my son. He thinks it is amazing, and is absolutely delighted with his new garden. When I pointed out the rain this morning, he said 'It ok, make plants grow' - and he is so right.


A massive thank you to Wellchild and to the brilliant volunteers from Speedy Hire in Newton-le-Willows (I hope it's ok to mention them - if not, I can remove the names of the charity and company, but I really do feel that they deserve recognition).


Apologies for the long and descriptive post. I thought I'd add detail for those who might be interested. I'll try to add photos tonight.

nannytone_2

i bet your boy is absolutely thrilled and hope he spends many hours enjoying his 'gift'
sime 'strangers' are absolutely wonderful and give immense amounts of pleasure due to their efforts. i thank them on your sons behalf!

SandraScarlett

I'm sure I'm speaking for all Us Regulars on here, when I say how wonderful it is to read such a lovely thread, full of kindness and hope. The people who never have any problems in their lives, because of the illnesses of family members, must be few and far between, but when it is your child who has the problems, life can be especially hard.


I am getting to the stage where I yearn for a bit of good news in the media, and your initial post, and the lovely responses, have been just the thing to brighten us up, and show what good folk there are in this world.


I don't know you, or your lad, but I had a big grin on my face, reading all the wonderful things that have been done in your garden, to bring your son some happiness.


It may have been raining in your part of the world, but I bet your son's joy has brought sunshine into your life - I know it has in mine. Good luck to him, and I hope he enjoys many happy years in his garden.


xx

nannytone_2

[a bit more good news sandra!
i had had my final assessment and been approved for a guide dog... just a waiting game now.
thats a charity too!
when my middle grandson was first ill, it was a charity that 'held' everything together for us... i don't know how we would have coped without them, they were 'present' for support and advice right up to ( and after really) he passed away ( 5 years ago tomorrow .... I'm dreading waking up in the morning)

enough of that... charities often pick up the pieces and help with the little, but no less important things./B]

AlfieBlue

This is such a wonderful thread - so uplifting.

kingfisherblue - you are an absolute :A.

Very well done to all involved in the garden makeover
and may your son spend many many happy years in his
garden.

Take care and my love to all.

Alfie xxx

SandraScarlett

nannytone wrote: »

[a bit more good news sandra!
i had had my final assessment and been approved for a guide dog... just a waiting game now.
thats a charity too!
when my middle grandson was first ill, it was a charity that 'held' everything together for us... i don't know how we would have coped without them, they were 'present' for support and advice right up to ( and after really) he passed away ( 5 years ago tomorrow .... I'm dreading waking up in the morning)

enough of that... charities often pick up the pieces and help with the little, but no less important things./B]

What lovely news nanny! I hope you don't have to wait too long, and I'm sure your new friend will bring you lots of joy.


xx

kingfisherblue

Apologies, I haven't been online for a couple of days. Life has been busy! The boys are really enjoying the garden (even though the weather hasn't been great), my baby granddaughter was able to lie on the fake lawn yesterday (the garden really wasn't suitable for a baby before), and on a personal level, even hanging out washing is so much more pleasant! The plants are being watered each day, as advised, and the fruit trees are receiving a good drenching as we were told. The boys are playing together and have the space to do so - although they are 15 and 17, my older son has a mental age of about 5 or 6. My younger son can be vey caring and kind, and has been playing games that his brother can manage. It's lovely to see.


nannytone - you're right, it is a gift, and one that is truly appreciated. It's great news about your Guide dog too, and I'm looking forward to hearing about your life with him or her.


Sandra - I wanted to share our news with 'Us Regulars' as we share so many things over time. Although you don't know us, you still care enough to be happy for us. So many people on this thread, on the Alphabetty thread (in the Arms), and in real life have been very positive and you're right - it is lovely to read the comments. There are some selfless people out there, and we have been lucky enough to meet some this week.


Alfie - I'm not sure about being an angel, but thank you.


I've had a phone call today to say that a local paper is going to feature the makeover. I was asked before everything happened if we agreed to publicity, and although I'm quite a shy person in real life (how easy it is to be more confident when hiding behind a keyboard!), I agreed. There was no pressure, but I felt that if we were asked, then the publicity would be good for the charity and for the company where the volunteers work. In addition, my son would be very happy to see his photo in the paper! He's more extrovert than the rest of the family.


I still need to learn how to post pictures, but am hoping to do that this weekend.


Thanks again everyone for your support, not just on this thread but over the last few years. D&D is a great community.


KFB xx

HB58

What a lovely thread! It's great to hear such good news and of the kindness the volunteers have shown. A big 'Well done' to them and the charity for making this happen.

Thanks you, kingfisher, for sharing this with us and allowing us a small share of your joy. I wish your son many happy days in his garden.