The Anxious Gardener

13/08/2026

19/07/2026

Well, I never did. Until I did. I've been growing Musa basjoo for over 15 years but I've never had it flower before - not that I've ever tried.

Protecting the stems overwinter (stops them dying down to ground level during freezing spells), a good mulch of rotted manure and a very hot summer all played their part, I think.

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15/06/2026

A visit yesterday on a rare open day to wonderful C16th Acton Court. The wildflower meadows are amongst the best I've ever seen... as was the chocolate brownie.

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01/06/2026

A cool evening's walk along the Cotswold Way last week

29/04/2026

I didn’t notice the dog until it bit me.

I'd walked from bright sun into shade wearing sunglasses 😎 and trod on a dozing dog. Understandably, it squealed and nipped me.

The bite left a mark but didn't puncture the skin; even so A&E at a Delhi hospital advised a series of post bite rabies shots.

I had my final injection in India yesterday and need one more back in the UK.

Every Indian health worker I've met has been courteous, helpful, reassuring, kind and professional. Which, when you've been bitten in a rabies endemic country, is all you can hope for 🙏

(None of the above dogs are implicated in this matter.)

25/04/2026

Sadly, I'm coming toward the end of my 9 weeks in India and heading back south, slowly, to Mumbai and my flight home.

Pete & I are staying in a wonderful old Haveli in Ahmedabad, Gujerat and last night stuffed our faces with an eat-as-much-as-you-possibly-can-for-£3.85 Kathiyawadi Thali.

Reader, it hurt.

Also last night, I saw 5 on a bike for the first time. 4 is relatively common - almost never wearing helmets 😳

20/04/2026

Chilling with me bruv in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

11/04/2026

I've spent almost a week alone in both Shimla and nearby Mashobra. But I leave tomorrow for Chandigarh, Delhi and brother hugs with

Bruv has little idea, that after Jim left 5 WHOLE days ago, HOW MUCH I WILL BE DOING THE CHATTING AT HIM!!!

Until he reads this.

I've come to love Shimla - after a shaky start. I've spent my time wandering and wondering, standing and gazing, and working feverishly on a writing project which I should have finished years ago. Coming to India to write was suggested to me by Sophie.

🥂 Sophie. It worked! 💪