Gardenman

Thank you so much Julie . The main reason we do gardening & landscaping is because of the happiness it gives to our customers, that in turn brings us much happiness. Oli, Aaron & I really enjoyed putting your garden together & the challenges it gave us & especially choosing the plants working together to bring you a garden we hope you will enjoy for many seasons to come I look forward to the colours & textures in the spring, summer & autumn Once again thank you for your kind words & recommendation Nigel 🙏

Thank you so much Joe . It was a pleasure to do & you were a pleasure to work for . I believe Oli has got back to you about doing the front hedge. You?re right we do love the work we do If anyone else would like my son Oli, team & I to Design, build, maintain any aspects of your Gardens give us a call on 07549418219 for free surveys , Designs & ideas . As I have said in my gardening tips this is the best time of year to get gardening work done , simply because you are not using your garden & it creates a beautiful garden for spring, when we are all up to our necks in work . Remember. Only use the well recommended gardeners on this wonderful forum

I would highly recommend Kefalonia . Stunningly beautiful island, much smaller, there fore easier to get around on local buses, regular boat taxis Delightful people running hotels, apartments , restaurants. Big long shallow beach for the kids called Kaminia on the south coast . Plenty of beach resorts on the south coast. I live out there for the summer running retreats which you?re very welcome to visit. I can even sort out accommodation locally at a good price if you like. Everyone comes back to this magical island . Good packages available too

I voted red sauce. Red means Red right?

Learning is a gift, especially when pain is your teacher.

The unexamined life is not worth living

Well Sue, you can always come on one of our retreats to find out! Just published details in business section. Special offer only to you !

Don?t ignore the challenges that you bring into your life. They are for your learning. If you choose to ignore them, be assured, they will keep coming until you learn the lesson you were meant to. Your life is for your growth

What?s in front of you is your teacher. Whatever problems you May have in your life, try not to see them as problems, rather that they are trying to teach you, help you to grow, to understand & make changes if that is what is called for.

Asking for help is a strength not a weakness.

My gardening tips are on the business section once a month. Yes, cut your Buddleia back hard & give it some shape, cut back to a bud & do it anytime between now & end of February Mind you, they are very tolerant.

Care about what other people think & you will always be their prisoner

The consciousness in you & the consciousness in me. apparently two; really one, seek unity & that is love.

For every minute you remain angry, you give up 60 seconds of peace of mind Ralph Waldo Emerson These quotes are generally from philosophers & wise men. The last one was from Plato, a much wiser man than me! I do not comment on them, they are for you to ponder on & discuss in any way you see fit. If you choose to be rude or angry, that is your choice. I have a choice too.

The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it.

You have posted this for a reason Lavender. If you would like help, just ask . Please trust their are people in the local community that can & will help

I have installed quite a few Astro lawns, but always when there is no alternative, such as shady gardens & large trees which take away the moisture. If laid in a sunny garden they get very hot & can burn your children! There are many types now available, but be aware of the cheap ones! They are toxic & don?t look authentic. The better quality ones are around ?23 per sq mtr. They must be laid with a weed barrier & about 3? of type one underneath, with an inch of soft sand. When laid, you need to apply kiln dried sand to weigh it down & keep it clean. Let me know if you want a quote. I?d be happy to help Nigel 07759862191

Happy to recommend Dave. Always does a great job & on time

I got back from my long ( 4200 miles!) trip to Thessalon?ki Greece yesterday having delivered all the clothes & toys you all so generously donated. The charity I was working with Drapen I Havet. A drop in the ocean are under huge pressure to help the refugees in the very cold weather & horrific conditions out there. The refugee camps are under high security due to attacks from various factions, so I was not allowed to work in the camps, but your donations went to help them, an orphanage & the homeless. The situation is not being improved by other European governments trying to send their refugees back to Greece!! So please continue to make donations, contributions including questioning your MP as to what is being done in our name to help these people. We will be making a contribution each month to A drop in the ocean & looking for opportunities to make a difference, no matter how small. So, once again a huge thank you for all your help Nigel

Warm clothes would be most welcome, for men women & children. They have snow down there just now & things are getting tough for all of them. I will be leaving early Tuesday morning to drive down, so please feel free to call/text to drop off any donations this Sunday or Monday. Thank you everyone for your kindness & generosity. It will be most welcome. I shall blog my journey on The Big Calm Kefalonia Facebook Nigel 07961888253

Due to problems with booking the ferry, I will be going next week, so I still have time to take in more donations of toys & clothes, as I still have a little space left in the van. I can only take collections at my home 9 Sunderland Court Lordship Lane SE22 8JX At the south circular end of Lordship Lane just before the shops on the left hand side Thank you Nigel

Another BIG thank you to all of you who turned out on Christmas Eve to bring so many toys & clothes to help those in need at this time. I did get thrown out in the end, due to corporate policy!! But not before the kindness of the people of Dulwich had shown itself to be far more compassionate than a large corporation could ever understand. Thank you, my faith in good people continues. But not in Sainsbury's!!

When I find myself alone at Christmas I usually go to a local church & volunteer helping feed the old & homeless. It gave me such a lovely feeling of doing something, rather than sitting at home alone feeling lonely. It has subsequently Helped me understand we are all here to help each other in whatever way we feel we can. I see it as an opportunity to connect & never feel lonely again. Well done for reaching out, you are very brave & if all else fails, you are welcome for Christmas dinner at my house. I'm on my own too, except for my dog Barney! Nigel 07961888253 Oh & Happy Christmas, I'm sure it will be

There are specialist patio cleaning fluids that are harmless to plants & animals, plus the use of a good power washer should get the job done most efficiently. Beware of washing out the pointing between slabs, in which case, just apply the patio cleaner or Jeyes fluid & wash off with a stiff brush after 20-30 mins. One word of warning, power washers are not to be pointed at anything other than what you are cleaning, they can cut human skin & as said earlier, they will damage or affect other things they are pointed at! Oh, and wear wellington boots! Have fun!

A great BIG thank you to all of you who turned up with your wonderful donations. They really will be appreciated I still have more room in the van, so remember, I will be back at Sainsbury's Dog Kennel Hill on Saturday from 9 am til 12:30. Thank you again Nigel