They said it would be a cold night so we had been warned. The morning was icy and I was bound for Lord and Lady Mantle’s estate on the edge of Exmoor. As I am by nature a Scaredy Cat I was slightly anxious about this drive. Most of the journey is on decent roads, but the last little bit plummets steeply down a single track lane, across a ford and then up an equally steep hill the other side. Other arrangements were made. I parked my car in the rocky, gorse cleared area that passes for a car park in these parts and His Lordship transported me in his 4 x 4 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow the rest of the way. Of course I needn’t have worried, the road was quite clear.
Any of you thinking that I was feigning fear to avoid getting mud on my new car, can think again.
It was a beautiful day, cold and crisp and sunny. A Disney winter’s day. My only complaint, the low retina-incinerating sun. Much of the day was spent applying and removing layers of clothing as we moved in and out of shadows. The soil in parts was solid, the nasturtiums had taken the demeanour of over-boiled cabbage, the euryops flopped pathetically and the canna’s were blackened. Most however were untroubled and I felt like a milestone had been crossed. There is no turning back now, winter is inevitable.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Who would worry about a Roller in whatever weather? A dent or two is nothing compared to a scratch on the walnut interior. Now if it had been a Bentley…..
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Oh, and PS, today I dug a hole. Not the biggest of holes. Just big enough to plant a rose. Don’t know why, but I was thinking of you as I dug it just a bit bigger than I needed to. That was, perhaps, because I was also digging out an overgrown osteospermum (of which I have loads of cuttings growing nicely in the greenhouse). You were my inspiration for that digout.
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As long as you mention me in your Best Hole of 2016 acceptance speech!
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I love a Bentley too! I will have to have a word.
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Yes winter is here alright, you will need a lift in the Rolls again today. And maybe for the rest of the winter. And you will be able to keep your new car clean and shiny. The very idea of driving through a muddy wet ford in it. Out of the question.
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Quite! Although today I am will have to drive on a rough pot holed track to get to work. So unfair.
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Officially the last day of Autumn today, that makes Spring a little bit closer. You are right to be wary about your new car until you are used to it.
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Horrah! Its nearly spring! Thanks TT x
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