There were many moments while we were in the CZ that I was really worried that we were severely depriving our children whilst living in a flat without any gardens. There was one time while we were walking on our way to the bus stop in the morning and we walked past a house that had a really scruff little patch of garden in the front. They had made a concrete wall alongside the pavement that had flowers growing in wells, that made it look like part rockery, part wall. There were some very tired looking flowers growing and Amber stopped and wilted, declaring in the most love-sick, soppy voice how much she wished that we lived in that house so that could be her garden. My heart nearly broke, considering our 4200 m2 of an immaculate park of a garden that we left behind.
In Reading, we now live in a house with a garden, not only in the front, but also in the back.
The first realisation now though was that it means another whole slew of “stuff” that we had to buy to be able to maintain the garden. Fortunately, our neighbour helped out and lent us his lawnmower – this was a big novelty for the girls!
I think our neighbours in the street must think we are completely mad. With the first inkling of sunshine, we are all out front with our forks and watering cans, arms deep in mud, weeding and playing games. Surprisingly, it does not appear to be a trend – we never see a sole outside of their front door.
Even the Thomas Mouse is out in the yard:
The next week-end and the bikes and skipping ropes are out front and we spend the whole day running, skipping, cycling up and down the street. Fortunately we are in a cul-de-sac so we are not too bothered by cars. The neighbours have started warming up to us now and we get the wave and a smile through their windows as they drive by. You never know – maybe we will set a new trend.
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