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| (Lawn has since lost the yellow colour, it is now off-white) |
I HAVE A NEW GARDENER.
I have a new gardener. Not
permanent, one that I can call in when the big bushes need a trim. He is part
of a bigger company but lives near. The guy, together with a colleague, did everything:
cut back bushes (and there are a lot), cleared overgrown paths that were full
of weeds, even swept up afterwards. There was a list of things he will and can
do on the big van and one was ‘jet wash patios and driveways. Ok, you’ve
guessed right. I booked him to clean the drive.
This guy (Pete) is a whiz at
punctuality. If he says one o’clock, he arrives five minutes before so that he
actually rings my bell at one o’clock etc. He meticulously writes everything on
his notepad so that he knows exactly where he should be at any given time. A
man after my own heart since I’m a stickler for punctuality.
When I had the drive cleaned
before the workmen had tanks of water on their wagon but this time Pete relied
on me to supply it. Well, he’s mainly a gardener. His wagon is loaded with
machinery, no room for water! Not to worry, he said as he tried to lock a hose
to the garden taps. That was the first hiccup; he tried another, and another,
and then he went out to buy a new fitment for his hosepipe. That didn’t work,
either. On investigation, another tap wouldn’t budge. ‘You’ll have to get a
plumber to deal with it,’ he says.
That was yesterday. I don’t know
whether it was my pleading voice that did it but the plumber came straight away
and unjammed the tap. Of course, I sent a text (getting good at that) to the
gardener who responded immediately with ‘Will Monday be okay?’
Of course it would.
How about that for service? And
patience?
It's a bit easier at my town-home, when my 12 yard driveway needs cleaning, we just wait for it to rain.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a winner for garden chores.
I tried that, Joe, but after a few years it didn't help. Its sparkling now and the neighbours are all commenting and demanding the name of the guy who did it.
DeleteFinding a good gardener is a life saver, finding a punctual one is even better! I do all the pressure washing here and its a very messy job, but strangely satisfying. I hope it goes well tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAge is on my side, Joe. I am at the age when I can't do heavy stuff, jet washing in particular. The guy I use now is part of a bigger outfit, pity there isn't one in your area. I have a huge drive and it only cost me £40!
DeleteSo good to have a reliable worker!
ReplyDeleteWe decided this summer, to have our lawn (front/back) cut. And most importantly, to have them weed-wack the weeds, which are at back and side, of back lawn. For years, we tried to tame them. Nothing works. So we gave up, and are happy, to simply have them weed-wacked down.
Everything went "swimingly." Then the guys did not come one week. Then they came, and did not do the necessary weed-wacking. That was that!!!!! I called the owner of the service, and gave him a piece of my mind, on his cell phone answering service.
2 worker bees and a more head guy, came back. And got the job done properly.
-sigh- There is no excuse, for us having to watch like hawks, when the work is done. By now, they need to _know_ what to do. Grrrr...
Now I await next week...
Be so happy, with your prompt person, who tries.
I have had a lot of disappointing tradesmen and workers who seem to think they can turn up at any time to suit them, or not bother as the case may be. My latest find seems to be a good one, at no time has he turned up later than the time given. Is it any wonder I feel like bragging?
DeleteHi Valerie, first thank you for your recent comments on posts about our cross country road trip which is still in process, but we have finally reached our destination state of Oregon and will remain here a few days visiting friends. I have been lax on blog reading and spent awhile catching up on some of your recent posts. Nice that you found a reliable and punctual gardener, even though not nice to have the dded headache of needing a plumber, but glad it's resolved. I also enjoyed the poem and story about your then young son seeing intruders - glad all worked out and the mystery was solved.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Beatrice. I must say it was a surprise considering you are on vacation but I am pleased you read the posts and took the trouble to reply,
DeleteGood to read you have found a good gardener Valerie.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave. He is coming back again to discuss removing a particularly ancient cotoneaster that has been there before we moved in.
DeleteThat's fantastic to hear. For now, my husband and I are still able to garden. I spend more time procrastinating than it does to actually do the work!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a bit of procrastinating, kden. I used to love gardening but now I I have to rely on others.
DeleteWell that's wonderful! I'm glad it all worked out well. Your garden does look pretty!
ReplyDeleteDenise, it is what I call a wild garden, meaning anything grows - literally.
Delete*clapping and cheering for you*
ReplyDeleteGREAT news indeed, Valerie! I am so happy for you!
"This guy (Pete) is a whiz at punctuality. If he says one o’clock, he arrives five minutes before so that he actually rings my bell at one o’clock etc."
OMG, that is such a blessing because it's so hard to find reliable and punctual workers. My father raised me to be ON TIME always. And not only on time, but arrive early. To this very day, if I have to be into work at 9:30AM, I'm usually there at 9:15AM.
"How about that for service? And patience?"
Way to GO, my friend! Glad you found the perfect gardner!
Have a faaaaaaaaabulous week!
X to you and Charlie
P.S. After five days of being off; searching for a new apartment and preparing to move, I'm actually looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. I think I may have found a place. I have to wait and see, but I should know in a few weeks.
Hello Ron and welcome back. Yes, like you I was brought up to be punctual and to respect those who wait for me. I guess that was MY father's doing since mother didn't pay much attention to anything outside her limited upbringing.
DeleteThe gardener (Pete) is coming back to remove an enormous and ugly cotoneaster that has spent the last few years spreading to where it shouldn't.
I hope the place you found finally comes your way. I have no doubt we will read all about it in due course. Hope work goes down well.
This sounds very much like our small town service people. The very best. Of course it may help because of the fact that I had many of them as former student of mine...
ReplyDeleteI guess you trained them well, congratulations.
Delete