Monday, July 15

When the virtual world becomes a reality

I met the No Dig Gardener in the virtual world of blogging back in October 2012 when I first came across his blog.

Since then we have been regular visitors to one another's blogs. When Roger - his real life name - mentioned that he was opening his garden under the National Garden Scheme and seeing as we are nearly neighbours - well OK we live in the same county -  it seemed the ideal opportunity to see his garden and meet Roger in person.

I did consider wearing a badge with my blogging avatar on but Roger was convinced that he would recognise me and this from a blue faced Andy Warhol type representation of my face. In the event I managed to drift around the garden taking photos - lots of photos - very much incognito. I even managed a few surreptitious shots of Roger giving visitors and helpers the benefit of his wisdom.

A man very much in his element until I cornered him and asked if he recognised me. He made a less than convincing attempt to retrieve the situation but it was obvious that his previous confidence was unwarranted. Maybe I should be happy that I was unlike my blue image or maybe I just looked far older than he expected.

Anyway once I revealed my identity we had a laugh and a chat until we left him to his audience and went to enjoy a coffee and piece of chocolate cake in his conservatory.

Roger's garden is very much our taste in gardening. Meandering paths and expanses of lawn dotted - not randomly but obviously very much planned - with lots of ponds and perennial island beds. All in a lovely country setting too.

Just to give you a flavour of Roger's garden here are one or two photos that I took.




24 comments:

  1. Hello again, Sue. Having a seriously quick cup of tea and blog browse. What fun going round a fellow blogger's garden (looked great). I think I would like this garden too. I'm missing my garden and garden visits just now. Enjoy yours :-D

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    1. Thanks Shirl - hope you get back on track soon!

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  2. Hi Sue,

    it was nice to meet you and your husband yesterday and I am glad you enjoyed your visit and the cake!

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    1. It was good to meet you too Sue and I have since enjoyed reading some posts on your entertaining blog. I don't keep any farm type animals so it was fun sharing the antics on your smallholding pals.

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  3. What a lovely day out. I'm so pleased that Roger had the weather for his open garden event, it must be disheartening when it's a bit of a washout, I'm sure many people will have turned up with it being such a gorgeous day. I hope lots of money was raised for charity.

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    1. It was a lovely day out, Jo and all the better for the garden not being attached to some stately home. Roger's day was well attended so I'm sure he made a useful amount.

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    2. There were plenty people there, Jo so I'm sure he made a useful amount for the charity

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  4. Oh wow what a wonderful pond. If I ever have a bigger plot I shall certainly have a larger pond on my list.

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    1. That was only one of Roger's ponds, Jo!

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  5. Lovely pictures of a lovely garden. I read Roger's blog too from time to time so its great to see his garden from another perspective.

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    1. From my point of view, Liz it's puts Roger's blog into perspective too

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  6. Looks like you had a wonderful day Sue and how great to be able to meet someone who you have conversed with on your blog in person!!

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    1. It was, Tanya. Roger is the second blogpal I've net in person. It is strange because it's not like meeting a stranger at all!

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  7. Looks like a wonderful garden. I am going to be meeting a virtual gardening friend next week when she open her garden. I am very much looking forward to it. :)

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    1. Is that through the NGS too Lorraine?

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  8. It's nice to meet up with virtual gardening friends isn't it? It's nice to see someone's garden through another's eye too. Roger's garden is super and very inspirational. He's a very committed gardener and has give me a few pieces of 'virtual advice' for which I'm very grateful.

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    1. It wasn't difficult to take lots of photos, Angie.

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  9. It was really lovely to meet you Sue.
    I thought you were Zena Lovett!. I jest not - she is a former colleague and you were a dead ringer.for her. That is why I was thrown into confusion. I had also in mind an image of you being a little taller. My mental image of your height I think was influenced by the stature of your formidable blog which I hugely enjoy.
    I deserved the slap you gave me for my cheeky comment on your previous post!
    Your pictures are great but they do remind me that my hair needs a cut and I need to loose a few pounds! Great to meet Martyn too

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    1. Just seen Martyn's great video. You were certainly busy before You revealed yourself!

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    2. You too Roger. As for height nope I am diminutive. As I often say perfume comes in small bottles and disinfectant large ones!

      Now everyone has a mental image of me being a really violent dwarf.

      It was quite amusing wandering around happily taking photos and filming and knowing that you had no idea we were there.

      Zena Lovett eh? Now there's a pen name for me!

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  10. A delightful garden, if only I could get mine to look like that!

    How lovely that you met Roger.....it's great to meet fellow bloggers and their gardens.xxxx

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    1. Ours would have to grow in area considerably. Snowbird

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  11. I'm another follower of Roger's blog. He is certainly a man of wide experience and strong opinions! The No Dig rule is his religion, and it seems to work well for him. :)

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