Water, an invaluable resource.

10 years ago we purchased a 1500 litre water tank. It started life as an orange juice container, bringing your breakfast juice from the West Indies, or the Windies as they are known to sailors. An immersible pump was installed and rainwater diverted to the tank. Free water, flowers happy.
Last year we spent many evenings watering our flower beds, particularly the walls which are covered in bedding plants. That is enjoyable but repetitive. 
Last month we placed “Microporous hose” on the flower borders. Joy. It works. No water is wasted with run-off from a dry surface. The water is absorbed by the soil, which stays damp, deeper, longer. 

Happy Golden memories.
Our daughter, Emma, completed a four year apprenticeship at Lethenty Mill in 1991 as a cabinet maker. Sadly the building burned down a few years ago. Haddo House, close to our home in Newburgh on Ythan, next door to Talpa, has a small theatre. The trust decided to renew the theatre, one of the tasks was to reupholster all the furniture. Emma was given the job and spent many hard but enjoyable hours recovering the chairs. 
Her boss was invited to the theatre’s opening, and lunch with the Queen. Being a reserved man and a bit of a Republican he was about to decline the invitation when I suggested Emma should go in his stead. Emma was uncertain until her father pointed out that many people in this Sceptred Isle never have an opportunity to see their Queen, let alone have lunch with her. The family was staying at Balmoral.
The opening was attended by members of the Royal Family, led by Her Majesty. Before the Queen arrived for lunch Emma was cornered by Prince Edward who smoothed over her nervousness and engaged her in conversation, she was, after all, the only young blonde in the gathering.
At lunch Her Majesty remarked, “You are not drinking.” To which Emma replied, “No Ma’am, I’m driving.”
Her Majesty thought a second then said, “At least that’s something I do not have to worry about.” All smiles and a young lady was relaxed in her Monarch’s company.