In my last post “Very Snail Like” I reported that we’d driven to Melbourne and bought a motorhome. Officially named “Essie” – short for Escargot! Says it all really! I also reported that we were moving Essie to the Berri Church of Christ. We’ve been parked in the rear gardens of the church for a few months now – flowing from Essie into the church building to use the office area and utilizing the much bigger kitchen. Also using the external bathroom/laundry area belonging to the Berri Men’s Shed which is also on church land and just a small walk and gate away. The purpose of all this is to give us easy access to the church gardens which were in need of a clean up and revamp. Not that we are in any way gardeners! Don’t know one plant from the next! But what we lack in knowledge we make up for in enthusiasm. We have now finished that task – the gardens have been transformed. Not sure how it worked out so well – think we must have been someone else helping us. Thank you Lord!
The gardens were really a blank canvass. We started by stripping away the old – weeds, dead or dying bushes. There are 5 main garden areas at the back of the church, varying in size. The largest is right next to Essie. It’s been a long term memorial garden. Lots of plaques dedicated to different church member’s families – originally positioned next to a donated rose bush. Over time plants died and many of the plaques ended up scattered and covered with dirt. It was a real treasure hunt to recover them all. We decided to keep things simple. Some of the surviving roses were taken away to a new home where they are now doing exceptionally well. Phew! Cuttings were donated and planted – mostly succulents which are low water, low maintenance. We took plants from the front of the church – dividing off grasses and ground covers etc and moved them to the back. We then planted leftover succulents out the front – just to add some variety and to fill in some vacant spots. A bit of a shuffle. There were some beautiful mosaic tiles found in one of the church sheds so they’ve been included in the memorial garden along with a wooden bench which Reg restored. It now sits on a little path we made – it meanders through the memorial garden. People can now wander through or sit for a while. Bark was laid in the garden beds – left over bricks used as borders to keep everything in its place – and crusher dust used for the path and behind Essie.
I’m not sure if a garden revamp would be considered an “adventure” but it’s been a lot of fun, has kept us reasonable fit and out of mischief. Oops I forgot to mention – we do have the odd get-together on the church verandah – some things never change xx
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Wow! Excellent work! I guess you worship there too? How long do you intend staying?
We are both well. Lots of caravan adventures- NSW and WA last year and Yorke Peninsula, Victoria and NSW planned this year. God bless. Helen and Bruce xx
Hi Helen….yes we worship at the Church of Christ here in Berri. Not sure how long we’ll be here! Marni is now living in WA so a trip over there in Essie coming up xx
Seeing you all on the verandah reminds me of another place, another time!
Reg did a really good job of laying the path. It will be interesting to see more photos of the garden once it’s established but well done for your impressive efforts in transforming it from an overgrown wilderness.
Love to you both xxx
Oh yes – so many very good memories with you two. Lots of the plants are still babies so it will definitely be interesting to see them grow and see the gardens develop xx