Gardening

Some of my late summer roses

This weekend has been devoted to my garden and how earthing (excuse the pun) such an activity is in more ways than one. I find it relaxing, focusing, energetic, creative, satisfying, grounding and it helps to keep me fit in the process. I have always liked being out doors be it in the bush, walking the country tracks or a beach. I think Lord Byron in 'Childe Harold' captures it beautifully . . .





There is pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal 
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel 
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.

Perhaps it's our innate love of nature that so many of us love our gardens and why spend so much time in them. Perhaps it's also our Kiwi love of the outdoors that so many weddings are held in gardens, on beaches or outside generally. We are so lucky that we can do that here and be it a simple, intimate wedding with the couple, the Marriage Celebrants and a few close family and friends or a lavish affair with hundreds of guests their is something magical about a wedding in such a natural setting.


As we come to summer's end I see the autumn colours already beginning to tinge some of the leaves of my trees. My glorious display of roses are starting to fade and the rose hips begin to fatten before they ripen to their rich red and orange hues, ready for me to harvest and make into jelly.


This is the harvest time of year - a time I love - it's a good time to garden and re-charge energy and creativity alike. I find gardening so healing and the perfect way to re-balance my soul, to let-go as I commune with nature and in the process nurture myself in the most perfect way.
'There is new life in the soil for every man. There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our over-burdened spirits, there is strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes. Remember that nature is your great restorer.' Calvin Coolidge, speech, July 25, 1924