First job as a self-employed gardener

Today I went to work for my first client. Although on the way there I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I travel through a town called Bradford-on-Avon which has one bridge to get across to get over to the other side…. it is prone to flooding… wasn’t sure if I was going to make it as I was sitting in traffic before I even got to the bridge, wondering if it was flooded. Phone started ringing and the lady I was going to do work for said the main road through Bradford was closed. I kept going, the river was high and had breached its banks but luckily not high enough to hit the road.

Next worry was heading towards Bathford, water water everywhere the river was a lot wider than usual having breached the banks and fields surrounding it, going down the hill wondered if I’d make this bit. Water both sides of the dip but phew the road was clear…. just!

Got to the lady’s house and a look of relief on her face that I’d made it safely… only 3 minutes late. She let me off as she told me most roads leading to Bradford were flooded. And so all traffic was on the road I was.

Anyway, got ready, bit nervous forgot where I put my keys took me a few more minutes to find them. Got going in the end raking up three ton bags of leaves. Got a nice cup of tea and a biscuit and carried on again. The lady told me that her garden was once the kitchen garden for a bigger house across the road. Started cutting down perennials, trimming back branches from a path and some weeding. Got a nice cup of homemade soup and bread, drank it ate it, went back to work again. The lady came all the way down the garden with another cup of tea. Kept weeding and made sure I did over the 6 hours as I’d had all these little breaks and was a little bit late this morning.
“Will you be coming next week?” she said “yes, if you’d still like me to. Tuesday same time?” , “I’ll check my diary” she said. Result I thought!

At the end of the day, got paid and a confirmation of more work. And before driving off she handed me a bottle white wine. A good day for a first day as a self-employed gardener….

 

Living in the same neck of the woods - if there is any heavy rain forcast, stay clear of Lacock and Staverton. But then I suppose you already know that!

We're off down the allotment tomorrow to look at the flooded Avon. It is normally lapping withing feet of the plot when in flood. I don't know what the Wilts and Berks canal will do when it is re-opened s they intend to use a section of the Avon.! ! !

 

Been both those ways in the past I know what you mean lol

Going from Bradford-on-Avon to Batheaston it was pretty bad looking in the fields. I felt lucky to get to work. It has been worse, but even so felt lucky to make my journey. Hope your lottie isn't waterlogged.

 

You should start a blog - you've an entertaining writing style and you'd get a decent following I reckon