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Bit of a milestone! Celebrating my one year anniversary on GOY!

bernieh

By bernieh

51 comments


I can’t believe it but it’s been a one whole year since I joined this fabulous site! It was this time last year when I stumbled upon it on Facebook … and it was just at a time in my life when I was really getting interested in gardening.

I’ve always tried to do some gardening – and my approach to gardening was basically to plant something that I might vaguely know the name of and wait and see what happened … if it worked, great … if not, oh well! I never really did much preparation of the soil, or fertilising or solved pest problems.

This shows part of my last garden which had a definite tropical feel:

When we moved to this new home, gardening proved to be a bit more of a challenge. Work, children, life in general usually filled my days … so I didn’t have that much time to devote to the garden. I lost quite a few plants because I wasn’t really looking after them and the conditions of the site proved to be more difficult to handle than any other garden I’ve had.

Then suddenly life became a little less hectic about two years ago. Both boys had finally! (yes they returned a couple of times) left home …
Here they are when they just couldn’t leave home … gorgeous weren’t they?

Both were now living elsewhere… one had a young family of his own. I had just begun working part-time instead of full-time (absolutely brilliant!) and I was now living in this very quiet huge house with a hubbie who spent a lot of his time downstairs in his workshop restoring old motorbikes.

During the past year I have put a fair amount of effort into jump-starting my garden and learning about plants … it has helped me through some rough times during 2009 (it was not a good year… ‘annus horribilis’ doesn’t even come close!!)

Alongside actually getting out there and spending lots of time in the garden … I spent time on here meeting fascinating people, hearing great stories, viewing brilliant photos, perusing inspiring blogs and enjoying the general chit-chat on this site … I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a member and it’s provided a great diversion!

I’ve posted around 1000 photos now. These have proven to be the most liked photos … which have nothing to do with my garden at all!! LOL!:

I’ve also written over 40 blogs … can’t believe it! Many of them were just about what I did in the garden during certain times of the year and people seemed to be interested.

I’m pleased to say in that one year I have built up a collection of great new plants that I’ve never had before:

I’ve begun to appreciate the plants that were already here and treat them with more care:

I’ve found out the names of plants I had no idea about:

I’ve worked on changing my courtyard space into a lovely garden area.
Before:

After:

I’ve also begun new garden beds… with some help from hubbie.
Before:

After:

So … onto this year … looking forward to really getting back into the garden after summer – just too hot and humid right now! I’m also looking forward to another year on GOY … it’s always worth a visit … or two … or two hundred! So thanks for the great company and the expertise that has been shared so graciously!

Lastly … some of the lovely native flowers I grew last year.

More blog posts by bernieh

Previous post: Memories of My Old Garden.

Next post: It's our nation's birthday today!



Comments

 

Where does time go Berneih :) Im sure ul keep enjoying GOY & make 20yrs 4 sure ;)

11 Jan, 2010

 

well done on your first year Bernieh, love your pictures too

11 Jan, 2010

 

Yes congrats Bernieh..here's to the next century or so....for all of us. I always enjoy your pictures....they are especially welcome at this time of year when we can't even see our plants for snow. Keep them coming :-)))

11 Jan, 2010

 

amazing garden Bernieh--- whats the gorgeous bird?... its nice to see pictures of gardens without snow and temps above zero-- we're forecast a week of cold, damp and grey cloud!

11 Jan, 2010

 

Do we get a golden pair of clippers if we make 20 years on GOY, Jacque? Wouldn't it be amazing if we were all still here in 20 years time!

11 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks Grindle, Amblealice and Pamg ... it's been great fun and I've enjoyed every minute here.

Amblealice ... century? Good grief ... I wouldn't remember what GOY was by then! Lol!

Pamg ... that fabulous bird is our Blue-Winged Kookaburra.

11 Jan, 2010

 

Dont know about Golden Clippers after 20yrs Berneih lol But like u say it would be Fab 4 us all 2 be here On GOY in 2030 :)

11 Jan, 2010

 

Wonderful bike... I went round France and did 2000 miles in a fortnight on a Norton just like that one ..Nope .it didn't brake down once either ... Very impressed.. Unlike my friend Triumph which did ...
AARR the good old day's ........:o))))

11 Jan, 2010

 

Hah ... don't mention the word 'Triumph' ...it brings out the disgusted face on hubbie!

11 Jan, 2010

 

Jacque ... just imagine what our gardens would be like by then!

11 Jan, 2010

 

Congratulations on your first anniversary, Bernie. Love the photos! Here's to many more....:-)))

11 Jan, 2010

 

Congratulations Bernieh, I too have enjoyed seeing your garden pics and blogs, lets face it without Goy that wouldn`t have happened. Yes my year started bad and for various reasons continued and ended in much the same way.,Goy has helped me through, keeping up with blogs and pics from around the world kept me going through many a sleepless night and has proved to be a comfort. I`ve learned lots and got loads of ideas from here and long may that continue......
Like you I enjoy it and hope it continues for 2010, be happy in your garden and keep the blogs and pics coming.....

11 Jan, 2010

 

Berneih theyd be very different from the Pics we post today :)

11 Jan, 2010

 

I feel as if I've known you for many years Bernie :o)))
It's amazing the changes we make to our gardens in a year. You have done well.

11 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks Spritz.

Lincslass ... I was pleased to see the end of 2009 ... but GOY was certainly a highlight of the whole year. As you say ... learned lots and filled in lots of hours that could have been wasted thinking about the bad ... we'll both keep on enjoying the company here!

Hywel ... lol! you're so right .. it does feel like we've known each other for a while ... isn't it great how gardens can bring people together ... it's been great fun sharing photos and stories ... let's see what this year brings.

11 Jan, 2010

 

Lovely blog Bernieh wonderful pictures happy 1st anniverary on GoY Bernieh

11 Jan, 2010

 

Happy 1st anniversary its been great to get to know you, hope we have lots more little chit chats.

11 Jan, 2010

 

Happy Anniversary Bernieh - Great blog and great pics - On what other portal could we take a look into peoples lives and gardens and make friends with people who, by virtue of being geographically distant we would otherwise never meet? A gardeners year always seem short, a GoY year flies by even quicker! (I'm married to a "biker" and I'm sure he will be interested in the Norton pic) :0)

11 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks Sixpence and Clarice ... there will definitely be lots more Carol!!

Thanks Busylizzy ... even if we're only meeting virtually, it's a lot of fun! My sympathies married to a biker ... as hubbie says bikers don't get older, they just get more bikes! So far he's restored one Norton, got another on the go and there's a third bike ready for its restoration any decade now!

11 Jan, 2010

 

Lost count of the bikes that have been and gone - we currently have two Harleys and one trike in the garage.....

11 Jan, 2010

 

I LOVE your photos - they brighten up my day! Happy first (of many) year!

11 Jan, 2010

 

Love all your blogs and pics I joined about 6 months after you Bernieh and I love it too, best site by far, keep on sharing your fab animals, birds oh yes and flowers lol :o))

11 Jan, 2010

 

Happy Anniversary Bernieh its been a pleasure knowing you and looking at all your beautiful pictures, you have given us all an insight into life Down Under and your pictures help to keep us warm on these cold winter days!

11 Jan, 2010

 

time goes quickly doesnt it........lovely pics...... may you have many more years on g o y ................

11 Jan, 2010

 

happy anniversary bernieh, lovely blog to, enjoyed it, you have a lovely garden and lots of wonderfull plants and flowers, :o))) x

11 Jan, 2010

 

A happy anniversary to you bernieh and here's hope 2010 will be much better for you. It's wonderful seeing the different types of gardens around the world and thoroughly enjoy the Australian ones - just so different to anything in the UK.

11 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks for all your comments Elo15e, Neellan, Pansypotter, Hollyeves, Sanbaz and Wagger ... it's been a real treat sharing photos from downunder and enjoying all your great pics as well.

12 Jan, 2010

 

Like the bike

12 Jan, 2010

 

O" and the garden well done.

12 Jan, 2010

 

Lol!... bike first huh, Smile!! Hubbie will love that ... he has no time for the garden stuff.

12 Jan, 2010

 

know what you mean there bernieh, my hubb doesnt do gardening, he will make things for me and on occasion do the lawn but not plants or flowers and doesnt talk gardening either lol, its cars for him

12 Jan, 2010

 

Happy Anniversery Bernaih...can't wait to see more plants from 'down under' this coming year!

12 Jan, 2010

 

Happy Anniversary Bernieh.......You certainly have posted some beautiful photos.....and cant wait to see the coming years pics.....

12 Jan, 2010

 

Sanbaz ... I try to keep hubbie out of the garden if possible ... he can whinge like a 3-year old if I do ask him to help me with something I can't do by myself - but then every now and then he astounds me eg. when he decided to build new garden beds for me! I was floored! I thought maybe there's a gardener somewhere there buried way down deep ... uh uh ... I don't think I have enough years left to find that gardening spirit!!

13 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks Healerwitch and Milky ... it's been an absolute delight since I joined ... I'm looking forward to everyone's photos and blogs this coming year ... can't wait!

13 Jan, 2010

 

lol bernieh, baz is very much the same, i just hint at things now and let him think its his idea lol

13 Jan, 2010

 

He. .he! Just to add to the story ... hubbie came home from work yesterday, went downstairs and came back up with a shovel and pick ... then asked me where I wanted those holes in the driveway garden beds!!! That was something I mentioned almost 4 months ago!!!

13 Jan, 2010

 

LOL...I am still waiting for raised beds....hubbies have to think it is their idea or they do not go for the work! lol

14 Jan, 2010

 

You never know Healerwitch ... hubbie might just surprise you one day with those raised beds. My hubbie began building my new raised beds while I was away out of town ... I didn't even know he was planning to actually do it!

14 Jan, 2010

 

:o))...I shall have to make plans to go a visiting!

14 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks Homebird, yes I remember your lovely garden photos when you first joined ... provided me with lots of bright spots during a year best left behind! It's good riddance and let's hope we both have a far better year this year ...if not, well GOY will definitely lighten the load! I've always found it a great place to visit.

18 Jan, 2010

 

Happy Golden Trowel Day, Bernieh...
.... your photos and comments add a great amount of enjoyment to GoY. :o)

20 Jan, 2010

 

Thanks for your lovely comment TT ... I've enjoyed every minute on here.

21 Jan, 2010

 

:o) x

21 Jan, 2010

 

Sorry I'm late on this Bernieh, (what's new!), just to say that GOY wouldn't be the same without you, and I hope that this year is kinder to us all. You know what they say... When the going gets tough, the tough get 'digging' ! X

20 Feb, 2010

 

Thanks Junglejen ... yes so far the year has started off with another decent 'wet' season. It's been a bit tough on some plants ... lost a few ... but that's to be expected. Mostly though, everything seems to have come through fine ... we're expecting the last of the rain in the next week or so. Then of course ... nothing for the rest of the year.

Today I'm out in my 'jungle' - the greenhouse garden - trying to whip it into some sort of order!! Wish me luck ... I think I've lost a few things out there, but I won't know until I've trimmed back all those enormous sword ferns.

Hope it's warming up for you over there ... and here's hoping your garden comes through well.

20 Feb, 2010

 

Oh I do hope that your losses won't be too great. I just checked the link on your blog on telly, looking at the terrain you're dealing with. Amazing anything survives at all, but you've created a fantastic oasis in harsh conditions. Do you have a bore-hole?

20 Feb, 2010

 

Well rain's halted play out in the jungle ... so I'm back. Yes we do have a bore hole drilled but we didn't sink a submersible pump as the current of underground water was just too slow to get a decent flow up top. We had the water diviners in two or three times and it was the same result every time unfortunately.

20 Feb, 2010

 

Lovely photos Bernieh - lots of rain over here this year too which is really unseasonal . not looking foward to Winter but still alot of autumn to enjoy.

20 Feb, 2010

 

Hi Judz ... haven't heard from you in ages. Seems like we've both been getting buckets of rain ... the 'wet' is always a miserable time of year here. You can't get out in the garden and you've just gotta keep your fingers crossed that everything gets through.

Our winters up here are fantastic ... that's why I have such a long growing time for my annuals ... autumn right through to the beginning of summer. I've just started planting seeds this week ... and I'm looking forward to the display.

20 Feb, 2010

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