The Orchid Lady

No this isn’t about the new organisation to publicise the problems which may befall (Heaven forfend) men’s bits but about my friend Joy. Just for once I went out without my camera – it’s turned bitter again – and Joy showed me her nine orchids – eight of which are blooming in beautiful shades. One is fifteen years old and has 21 flowers and a perfect arching stem.

We studied train timetables as we can’t seem to persuade the local coaches to go to Cheltenham so we could visit the fourth member of our quartet – Margaret - who has recently deserted us to be near her daughters. I’m sure we’ll work something out and meanwhile there are free phone calls at the week-end and we are reminded that Margaret is an inveterate letter writer.

Joy’s garden is the next best to Margaret’s old one so I must take my camera next time. Apparently the soil in Margaret’s new garden is thick clay and she and her husband have both done their backs trying to plant the hundreds of plants they took with them. They now realise they must have help with the digging and I’m pleased to hear that at last Joy has got a youngish, strong man to help with hers.

Garden update below.