You’d think, after gardening with (almost) unflagging enthusiasm for 43 years, I’d have pretty much sorted out which tasks I find rewarding and which I don’t. But I’m still often surprised.
Last week I gave myself a day in the garden, and chose the one with the best weather forecast. It turned out to be very dreary, and I found myself trying to think up reasons to stay inside. When that failed, I rugged up, headed outside, and assigned myself the most active, stay-warm, but unpleasant job on the list – the cutting back of the overgrown willows.
This necessitated pulling apart the battery chain saw (which sounds like a toy, but is capable of some serious work) to solve an oil leak issue, then heading down into the most neglected, and least pleasant part of the garden.
But I loved it. I loved every minute of it. I loved cutting down the willows (which, of course, were supposed to be stooled every year, but, you know…). I loved lighting the bonfire, right nearby (which I hadn’t planned to do, but it was there on the spot, and I’m a bit of a pyromaniac, as was my mum before me). And I loved that my only company were the birds (many species), and the frogs (poss only one species, but many individuals, croaking their hearts out).
It leaves me wondering how it is that I can put off a job endlessly, in an attempt to avoid it physical demands, only to find that it’s those very physical demands which make it so rewarding.
You’d think I’d have learned by now.
What jobs do you find you put off, but end up loving? Or what physically demanding jobs do you find very satisfying? (I’m a big fan of splitting wood! Never happier.).
(leave your comment on the bottom of this post).
By the way, our Sicily and Sardinia tour in May ’25 is very nearly sold out. Check here for details. And our North Island New Zealand tour in November this year is going to be a cracker! Check that out here.
Have a great week!
Michael
(Top Pic – floral detail at Greenhough, NZ. Mid Pic – the only re-creation, anywhere, of traditional Maori methods of cultivation. Hamilton gardens, NZ)
Your love of chopping wood reminds me of a story…growing up in Brisbane I had little experience of chopping wood till I moved to an area of Queensland where stoves to heat the house were common. I chopped my first logs and that evening had some local as guests. One old timer commented ‘Well you chop wood like lightening”….I was well chuffed until I realised there was a lot of giggling going on. I was perplexed till someone took pity and explained the meaning of the comment. He explained “You chop like lightening means you never strike the same place twice”.
Great story. I often feel the same, but it doesn’t stop me!
I’ve always liked weeding. It gives me a sense of achievement to see things tidy again.
yeah, likewise Christine. I don’t make tidiness my primary goal (as my wife will attest), but I can’t deny the sense of satisfaction that it provides (in moderation)