Phew….

The Balham project is nearly done. And today we presented our planting plans.

So another lunatic, going through my presentation, talking to myself drive to Hampton Court this morning. And eighteen of us with five minutes each to show what we’re made of when I got there. No client today. She’s coming in next week. Instead we were presenting to Terry, the man in charge of the Hampton Court gardens.

So that’s not scary then….

Actually it wasn’t as scary as last time. For several reasons. One – we’ve done it before so it wasn’t quite so new and frightening. Two – Terry was much kinder to us than he could have been. And Three – I was fifth to present this time rather than sixteenth. So I got my bit out of the way quite early on and could sit back, relax and enjoy everyone else’s presentations. Which I did. Because they were really good……

The planting plan stage of this Project has been really challenging. It was a difficult site to choose plants for – dry shade on all sides and an awkward shape. And I kept changing my mind about the plants I wanted to use…. But in the end I had to make decisions and commit myself to paper. And I was really proud of myself. Because look…..

My first planting plan.

And I did some sketches to go with it. To show what some of the planting combinations would look like.

Me…. Sketching…. And actually showing people my sketches. As part of a presentation.

Two months ago I would never have believed it was possible.

Which just goes to show what good teaching and not being hung up about getting it wrong can do for you. Because you don’t know what you can do until you give it a go.

(Maybe now it’s time to concentrate on improving the photography skills…)