I have enjoyed gardening for 53 of my 63 years. First 10 I lived in London with a concrete space for parking the bikes on. 57 we moved to the country and the gardener was my Grandad. Mum and dad were Londoners so didn't know a weed from a weed. First house I bought had a 126ft long garden. Only problem it was only 10ft wide. 2nd house only had a small garden but it was the house we bought as the family were planned. But after 10 years we had to have a garden. Bought the current house for the size of the garden and extended it.Flowers are not my thing but I do enjoy a good lawn and vegetables.. Wife looks after the pretty things.

Saying that-I got into Alpine plants and started exhibiting at the Alpine garden society shows. Did pretty well by winning the yearly "Novice" cup in the first year- The intermediates in the second and then became a Champion Exhibitor. Problem when you get to this level though is the amount of time it takes to prepare the plants for shows and maintaining them for the rest of the year. So when the bypass came round- I stopped exhibiting.

Gardening for me now is vying for my main passion of cycling. I try to keep a varied garden on plants and try to make it easy maintenance. Cut the grass once a week- Proof the shed once a year and eat the vegetables that I grow. Doesn't cost a lot but is time consuming- when the weather allows. Couple of pics but a few years ago my "Undergardener" started taking time out to enjoy "Her" luxury. The pool cost almost as much as Boreas- but how do you think I had the argument to buy Boreas.

But With the weather over here- I try to make both the gardening and Cycling live side by side. Gardening is easy on maintenance so that can be done anytime. Cycling is weather dependant for too much of the year so gets done when possible. Poor weather and the bike shed is used to maintain the bikes- or the greenhouse for propogation.

But gardens are for relaxation- If I can ever get the dog and son-in-law to let me have it.

Edit--The pics of the garden are only half of it but the rest is only Rough grass and the veggy patch. Not interesting even to Avid Gaedeners.

Few extra pics That I have just braved the evening sun to take.. The Wistaria growing over the Gazebo is just finishing but still a good show- the same with the Acers in pots. The pink Plant in the foreground is Phlox "Daniels Cushion" and won a top class 12 year ago in an Alpine show. Not a fast grower and this is going over the top aswell. The chucks are next to the Veggie patc and the Frame over half of it is because I want to eat the fruit and not just grow it for the Pigeons. And the greenhouse only has tomatoes- cucumbers and Peppars in at present.

And had to add the last pic. Who says gardening and cycling can't live side by side. Came back off a bike ride and This is in my daughters garden. The rotovator was playing up so I had to test it.