Tags
Alan Titchmarsh, Carol Klein, Dr Hessayon, Garden Media Guild Awards, Jason Ingram, Matthew Wilson, Strictly Come Dancing
Ditching the wellies
I’m in a bit of a daze at the moment. Some of it is due to a lack of sleep. We appear to have mice or squirrels in the loft/wall cavities which sound like they are performing their own version of Strictly Come Dancing throughout the night, right above our bedroom. Wellyman and I weren’t keen on the idea it might be a rat so thought we’d refer to it as a squirrel in the hope that would make it all better when lying there at 4am listening to some hobnail booted creatures above our heads. But it turns out rats are preferable to squirrels on the sliding scale of unwanted creatures in your loft. Squirrels, according to the pest control guy, are the animal equivalent of a teenager left home alone. I’ve always had a soft spot for squirrels, even the unloved greys, but apparently they will cause a scene of devastation given half the chance. Not a particularly comforting thought as it seems, on initial inspection, unlikely to be rats. Lets hope for mice then, although it’s hard to imagine something which can squeeze through a gap as narrow as a pen can make so much noise that even Wellyman is roused from sleep.
Only two hours slumber was probably not the best preparation for my day out in London last week. My publisher had invited me along to the Garden Media Guild Awards at a rather swanky hotel on Park Lane. So I ditched the wellies and jeans in favour of heels and a frock and headed east. The awards recognise the best in broadcasting, books, print, photography and online media in relation to gardening. Many of those attending are freelance so I suppose the event doubles as a bit of a Christmas do for those who wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to end the year with a bit of a party. Although everyone seemed much too well-behaved for it to resemble a true Christmas party. I wish I could post up some photographs but the ballroom was strangely lit with green lights. Maybe they thought it appropriate as we were all gardeners but it gave everything an odd Kermit-like tinge. It was lovely to meet up with fellow bloggers Michelle, Petra and Naomi. Alan Titchmarsh made an impassioned ‘I have a dream speech’ about the future of gardening and horticulture, Carol Klein looked very glamorous and Matthew Wilson managed to keep the post-lunch (and wine) audience under control. Dr Hessayon, he of the ‘Expert’ books fame, took to the stage to present an award and made a speech, a speech which was oddly misreported in several newspapers. There was much consternation on Twitter from those who had been there – had we really missed the standing ovation? Turns out you shouldn’t believe everything you read in the newspapers. I was really happy for Jason Ingram, who took the photographs for my book, when he won ‘Photographer of the Year’. Then it was time to leave; the matchsticks would hold my eyelids open no more. I did have to navigate a room of over 300 people with my goody bag first though. I’m sure the idea behind using a watering can as the receptacle for a variety of gardening related gifts rather than an actual bag seemed like a great idea on paper, the recipients were after all a group of gardeners. On the other hand the very long pointy spout was an accident waiting to happen. Numerous groins and a pregnant lady narrowly missed a poke from me but I thought it was safest to make my exit when I realised I had been stood with the spout only millimeters away from the ear of a man who was sitting down behind me. Still, I guess a watering can was an improvement on an axe, the gift given to all the guests a few years ago.
Delicious food at the GMG awards, shame about the green lighting
Then there was the long trip home before heading off the next day on another long journey to visit family in the north-east for the weekend. And now I’m back home and it’s December and I feel completely unprepared for everything this month demands. The garden and allotment demand little or no attention at this time of year which is just as well really. I miss the fresh air and exercise of a morning spent gardening but I’m enjoying the break this year more than in the past. Scouring seed and plant catalogues and the internet for ideas for projects I’ll be working on next year is exciting but daunting also. Where will I fit it all? Am I biting off more than I can chew? There are the first signs of new life on the plot as daffodils poke through the bare soil, encouraged by the mild autumn. It’s surprisingly how the sight of just a few fat green shoots can spark a feeling of positivity and creativity but they did. It’s going to be a hectic few weeks but I’m determined to get out into the garden and have a poke about in search of new life. As we move closer to the shortest day it makes all the difference to my mood to be reminded spring won’t be too far away.
Spring delights
wellywoman 
Glad that you had a fun time beneath the bright lights. Life is surprisingly busy this past month, we barely seem to have had a chance to catch our breaths, thank goodness the garden does look after itself so well at this time of year!
Thank you. I always think I’ll have more of a rest at this time of year than I do. Hope you get some time to catch your breath. 🙂
I had to giggle at the image of a large number of partially inebriated gardeners brandishing watering cans in a dangerous manner… I hope you had fun, but critters in the roof/wall sounds like the complete antithesis of fun, hope you get it sorted soon. I’ve not seen any signs of daffs here as yet, but then there aren’t that many to pop up, I have may, many years of adding bulbs ahead of me. Enjoy your catalogues, I hope you wind up more excited than daunted!
Possibly wiser to have watering cans than the axe. I have an image of people staggering onto the tube brandishing an axe to the horror of fellow passengers. It was an interesting day. I did feel a little out of place, I’ve never been to such a posh hotel before. ;0 I’m hopefully it’s mice but we’ve decamped to spare room and have ear plugs at the ready.
Oh I do hope that its not Squirrel Nutkin et al playing bowls with conkers in your loft WW. My sister had squirrels in her loft a few years ago which proved a rather costly experience that she would not want to go through again. Here touch wood they have not leapt up into the cavities although it may be on the cards one of these days 😦 Hope that the weather is kind to you this weekend and that you are able to enjoy some time in the garden.
I’m pretty hopeful it’s mice. Fingers crossed.
Love the shoes and tights. It’s been a Spring like Winter so far here in Ireland.
Thank you. They do make me look a bit like a smurf. 😉 Exactly the same here. I have to keep reminding myself it’s December.
A most enjoyable post, in which you conjure up a vivid image of your near ‘misadventures’ with the watering can.
Good luck with the squirrel(s) in the loft, if that’s what they are, as they really can be such a nuisance.
I shall have to have a look for any signs of bulbs appearing on the plot xx
Thanks Flighty. Think they are more likely to be mice and hopefully they’ll be gone by Christmas. We’ve had to move into spare room they’re making so much noise. Hope you’ve spotted some bulbs poking through. x
How wonderful, to be mixing with the good and the great, although the thought of wearing heels all day would have made my feet protest! Your book is ordered, so now I will wait with anticipation!
So glad you got home safely from your trip to the north east and didn’t get caught in the storm.
It was fun to get a chance to go to the awards. I did feel a little out of place though. Oh Pauline thank you for buying my book. I really hope you like it. That’s the scary bit, hoping those who buy it find something they like about it. Yes we were lucky not to get caught up in the bad weather.
I forgot to mention the squirrels! We had one in the roof space over the kitchen, as you say, it sounds as if they are doing a clog dance up there. One day when it was making a noise, we banged on the ceiling with a long handled broom, we could hear it moving across to the air vent for the cooker hood, and kept on banging until it left. Wire netting was then put over the vent – silence at last! Hope you manage to sort yours out !!
I think (hope) it is mice and it seems like the pest control may be working. Fingers crossed for a quiet Christmas.
Thanks for sharing your night out! We’re your legs really blue? Or was that the effect of the green lights
They were funky blue tights to match my blue dress. 🙂
I’m quite envious of your night out at the GMG awards but not at all envious of your loft visitors! My guess would be mice – I once had the dubious pleasure of staying in a rural Cornish cottage which had been a pigsty (no, really) in a previous incarnation and the midnight scurrying inside the skirting boards was incredible! Mice will come indoors when temperatures drop but, I hate to say it, they won’t stay in your loft for long. Let’s hope they’re squirrels! (Have you been up to have a look?)
I’m going to try and forego the seed catalogues this winter (my seed box could do with a good sort out!) as I have lots of lovely garden design books to catch up on – I’m actually looking forward to having the time to plan for next year!
It was good to get a chance to go to the GMG awards but I’m not a great fan of those sorts of events. Definitely think it’s mice and fingers crossed the poison has worked. Have fun with all those garden deign books. 🙂
I know how you feel about late night noise WW – we have a 2 month old baby in the house! :S
What sort of watering can was it? A Haws?
Absolutely LOVE your header with the misty & snowy trees. Just stunning!
Oh, congratulations Danielle. Yes that’s a different type of noise completely. 😉 Hope you’re managing to get some sleep. It wasn’t a Haws can unfortunately. It was laudably made from recycled plastic but more than a little cumbersome. Thank you. I took that photo last year I think. None of that sort of weather this year …yet. Strangely mild and very unseasonal.
First of all, congratulations on your new book, looks lovely and very useful, I’m one of those people who cannot really bear cutting my flowers for the house, having a cutting patch sounds great. Could it be a marten in your house? I’ve heard from people who had them in their lofts that they make an enormous racket. And hey, the shortest day is almost here, it can only get better from then on. And soon the birds start singing again.
Thank you Helle it’s very kind of you to say. As for the noise in the loft, we only get pine martens in the UK and then only in parts of Scotland. I’m fairly sure it’s mice. Hopefully they’ll be gone soon. I know, only a week or so now and we’re turning back towards the sun. 🙂 Cause for celebration I think.
Blue suede shoes – very cool!
😉 thank you.
I hope it’s only mice you find and not rats, urgh! Actually, I have a friend who had mice in her wall cavities and she said they made a fair old noise, it didn’t take much for the pest control guy to get rid of them for her. It sounds like you had a great night out at the awards, you had me laughing about where your spout nearly ended up.
Pretty sure it’s mice. Fingers crossed they’ll be gone by Christmas. I was lucky to make it out of the hotel without causing injury. 😉
I am surprised you are still willing to mix with us lesser mortals after you have been hobnobbing with the gardening greats – I wonder if they have squirrels in their lofts? Despite the uncertainty of next year I do hope you are looking forward to what it may bring – your book’s publication for one thing (I have my copy on order – creep creep!) 😉
Oh Cathy. :0 To be honest I felt a little out of place. I’ve never been to such a posh hotel before. These sorts of events are always a bit awkward when you don’t really know many people there. Mmmm, I bet Alan Titchmarsh hadn’t been kept awake all night by mice. ;)And thank you so much for ordering the book. I am a bit stressed at the moment thinking about the year to come but I do want to enjoy everything so lots of meditation, fresh air and exercise should help.
Well, these up and coming new authors have to start somewhere – and the mice/squirrels/rats issue would be just the sort of thing Alan T would write about in his column in GW! Keep up with your fresh air, exercise and meditation routine – I am just off to prepare the room for the meditation group I hold here on a bi-monthly basis
🙂 A good night sleep at last. I think the swim last night helped. Must do more meditation and hypnosis but like many things it’s finding the time. But I really should find the time. 😉
Even 10 minutes meditation is beneficial. Glad you had a good sleep
Love the blue tights WW. Isn’t it strange to feel shoes on your feet rather than wellies! Be grateful that whatever is in your loft is not an Edible Dormouse. They are a real pest in this area of the Chilterns. Maybe you will have to invest in ear muffs and hope they move off on their own accord.
Isn’t it funny that the two of us are struggling with similar unwanted visitors? Well, maybe not funny… 😉 Hope the guy sorted matters out for you. It has since got quieter for us so maybe Tarzan took his last dinner in the end. I was wondering whether to go to the awards lunch but was too busy. Are you also a GMG member? I think it’s great Jason got his award and it’s a bonus for your book too. Hope your legs are okay and you made some nice contacts. Best wishes!
I managed to get a great night’s sleep last night – we’ve moved into the spare room now. Things do seem quieter so hopefully the problem has been solved. Yes it was brilliant for Jason and well deserved. I’ll send you an email about the GMG.