Big Bus in the Drive Way

I remember the buses coming to gobble up my children and take them to the rural school when we lived on a farm back in the early seventies. But today the bus dropped off a large group of Probus Club adults from Brampton, coming to visit Memory Garden Retreats. The visit was arranged by Parkinson Tours and was called Rural Gardens of Owen Sound and Wiarton.

Besides visiting here with me, the group was having lunch at Harrison Park, then travelling to Wiarton to visit Chimney Ridge Buckets and Blooms and then on to Keppel Croft Farm and Gardens at Big Bay before returning home to Brampton.

The weather, although still so hot, co-operated by being overcast making walking through the garden more bearable. There were lots of digital cameras in action and lots of questions. I described how the gardens developed over the years and how the compost making is the heart of the operation. I was pleased to offer a photo calendar keepsake and no sooner had the last person got back on the bus when there was a pop up rain shower. Good news was, the group was off to the Harrison Park Inn for a roast beef entrée with all the trimmings.

I feel very honoured to have been chosen to be visited and how I thrive on the many compliments. One gentleman mentioned “I should be proud” and that does sum up my feelings this evening. Everything I had hoped for came to be-the many lilies bloomed (top row flowers) and so did the crocosmia (to the right) and bergamot. In fact, I have had so much fun this past week, watching the blooms fatten and pop open. There were so many heat units; I watered constantly with the watering can emptying all the conserved water in the rain barrels. Then I pruned and dead headed and enjoyed every beautiful moment of all this getting ready.

How blessed I am to enjoy good health and to get to be a Stewart to this wonderful property. The hours my late husband, George, laboured laying paths, building wooden walkways and docks by the river and putting in all the foundation plantings is continuing to be so appreciated. It was a real thrill to share this garden at one of its peak times with the Probus Club members. Thank you all for your kind remarks. It was a wonderful day.