Picket fence around my garden at my home in South Africa (aerial view)
Picket fence, different angle (aerial view)
Picket fence seen at ground level
In 2003 I started to build up an overgrown plot of ground next to our house in South Africa. By 2008 I had the garden of my dreams. It was used for children's parties, ladies' tea parties, garden club meetings and of course, for our own enjoyment.
Then I found I was away from my home for long periods while I lived at first, in West Africa, then North Africa and eventually East Africa. My garden was still well-cared for by my helpers John and David but late in 2009, we had a severe water shortage in our town. This was partly due to a long winter drought and also because the municipality had allowed the dam wall to break and lose all the water which had collected during the previous summer.
I approached my neighbor and asked if he'd like to buy that part of my garden. I didn't realize at the time that I was probably the only person in the world who was selling her garden! My neighbor has six large breed rescue dogs and two cats so he jumped at the opportunity to extend his garden. When he walked into my garden to take a look, however, he said, he'd never allow his unruly dogs to romp around and wreck this beautiful garden.
The good neighbor bought the garden and duly erected a picket fence between which was now his garden and ours!
Shadow, during his three months between North and East Africa while he lived in South Africa
Two of our three dogs peering through the fence at me (on neighbor's side!) not too sure why they couldn't get to me!
I found a small opening in a fence slat and photographed my erstwhile garden through it!
I'm linking to Good Fences, hosted by TexWisGirl, which you can access by clicking here
such a pretty place! i can imagine that was hard to keep up - especially with water shortage! glad the neighbor wanted the ability to expand his site!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a lush looking garden but living away so much out of country as you do, I can see why you could "let it go". Blessings & hugs. xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden ! But as you write it takes a lot of energy to keep it well. I am happy with our small garden, just perfect to sit outside and enough room for guests !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden Jo and so nice to have good neighbours.
ReplyDeleteMust be sad to look through the fence to your old garden
ReplyDeleteHi Jo that must have been sad to let that beautiful manicured, lunch garden go but it really was wise in the end. Love the last shot of you peering through the slat.
ReplyDelete(thanks for linking! the stain on that fence makes it look like a painting!) :)
ReplyDeleteit is beautiful and a wonderful GOOD fence story...
ReplyDeleteWoW, what a beautiful spot, i love the perspective of that first image!!
ReplyDeletecute kitty pose!!!
What a lovely place....and an even more lovely story.
ReplyDeleteI love this GOOD FENCES party. :)
"Garden of My Dreams"....so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, your old garden was beautiful! It is a shame about the drought and loss of water! Are the dogs friendly? Great fence shots! Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteWater shortage must have been hard on such a beautiful garden. Lawns are very thirsty, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the story. Your garden was beautiful, I am glad the neighbor is keeping it as a garden too. Lovely photos. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful garden - it must have been hard to sell it.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of anyone selling their garden either Jo, but what a great idea and a perfect way to keep it going. :)
ReplyDeleteYour neighbor ended up with a beautiful garden. Nice you can still peak into it.
ReplyDelete