Blossom and sunshine

What an inspiring afternoon I've had.

Work was fine. Especially as I had to spend three hours doing a job my trainee should have already done. He said it was 'on his radar'. He has a tendency to (very annoyingly) nod sagely when I'm asking him to do work, to talk in generalisations and cliches when asked how he's getting on but not to actually do anything. Useless. How on earth he got through the recruitment process, I don't know. Please let these six months pass quickly!

I escaped on time, did a swear at a nearby firm and headed home. What a stunningly beautiful day. At one stage my car said 26C. I think it was definitely about 21C overall and the sun shone.

After a quick GP appointment, I waited in for the garden design lady. Once she arrived, we walked round the garden and discussed my likes and dislikes and roughly what my style is and what I think I'd like. I said I wanted a whole new design with lots of beautiful plants, varied textures and areas of hard landscaping and with some water somewhere too. She then went round on her own with her notebook while I perused her portfolio (which was the inspiring bit) and found some photos of gardens I like. She's gone away to prepare some concept drawings and a mood board.

She inspired me so much that once she'd gone I mowed the grass and pulled out lots of dead stalks, branches, snails and slugs and trimmed some shrubs. It's amazing how much difference a few hours tidying can make. The creamy plum blossom (blipped) is out now, a week later than last year.

I'm having a quiet night, as usual.