Presents galore

I went to a car boot sale today determined to come back with a spade to replace the one I broke with my own brute strength the other day.

Mission accomplished. Or rather it was Susan who was successful in buying one as a present for my birthday tomorrow. Not gift wrapped, because it was suspected I would guess, but presented to me on the spot. And a very fine Brades Skelton spade it is. The man who sold it to her said it was a good one - he could hardly say anything else, but I can certainly appreciate its qualities. Let's hope it survives the masculine strength that is me.

There was more from Susan at the car boot sale in the shape of rhubarb, tomato, pepper and runner bean seedlings. I was especially pleased to get the rhubarb as I think I have given up on the rhubarb I planted last year. Still hasn't appeared above the soil. Let's hope the new one does better when I eventually transplant it.

My friend Jan, who also visited the boot sale, presented me with a herb cutter. I had been very jealous of the one she had in her kitchen last time I visited. I notice now the one she has given me is called a mincing knife. I'm grateful, all the same.

Many a slip

Digging rather vigorously today, I managed to snap the spade. The wood cracked and it was goodbye to that tool.

We shall have to look for one at a car boot sale. Perhaps I ought to go for something that is titanium reinforced steel. Or we might even go up to £4 if there's anything suitable.

I blame that pesky rose bush that I had carefully preserved, thinking Susan had asked for it to be kept, only to find out later that she didn't want it. I was digging around to get it out when the spade snapped.

Spade or no spade, the rose is gone now.