Garden Of Delight

Well, not quite just yet, but it’s coming alone nicely now.

The pathway paving is more or less complete, lots of soil has been strewn on the borders and today, work is being done on a new geveltuin along our perimeter wall.

A geveltuin is a border garden, commonly placed along the facade of a building, but, as in our case, sometimes also along a perimeter wall. They’re very popular here, not least because, for many city dwellers, it’s the only kind of garden they’re able to have. The local council will also do the work to lay one for free, as it’s seen as increasing the allure of the street. All you need to do is file the application. Once you have one, you’re obliged to maintain what you plant in it, but why else would you want one?

To this end, the pavement tiles are being dug up along the edge of the wall and a narrow strip of soil is being laid, so that creepers can be planted and made to climb the wall. Once the plants take hold, it should look really nice and counter the slightly sterile look of the brickwork. It’s hard work, though, as a stone saw is needed to cut through the square tiles, so that just a small piece of each tile can be put back.

The actual planting of the garden starts tomorrow, which should rapidly make our little plot of land look more like a real garden. All of the work so far has been preparatory and, whilst very necessary, provided little of aesthetic value and gave little impression of the progress being made.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the borders full of shrubs and flowers. We’ll still need some outdoor lighting and a new set of garden furniture (the old set is really on its last legs), but the garden will be mostly finished at that point.

Eloïse’s climbing frame should also be erected by the weekend. Hopefully, we’ll have good weather this weekend and she’ll be able to play on it for the first time.

Speaking of the weather, it’s been lovely here over the last few days: gorgeous sun, a warm temperature and no hint of rain. It’s been a real treat after the long cold spell of late. Having said that, it’s drizzling again outside as I write this.

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