Well. It’s a great feeling to enter retirement and to be so busy! A few exciting projects have arisen that were not planned as we contemplated saying goodbye to Branklyn: a lecturing tour to the USA in September and another exciting tour of the South Island of New Zealand during November and early December with some lecturing. We also enjoyed a short holiday to the Bernese Oberland in June.

Alison and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Wengen in the heart of the Bernese Oberland and managed daily walks amongst the most amazing Alpine landscape. We will both travel to New Zealand, a first for us both. I suspect there will be some tough hiking ahead of us and what a thrill to explore these florally rich mountains and I can’t wait to see my first “Vegetable Sheep”, Raoulia eximea first described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1864. A true classic Alpine plant of the Southern Alps.

I had always hoped I would be able to volunteer in the Alpine Department of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens and since my arrival in early spring I have learned a great deal about their cultural methods and strategy for maintaining such a priceless collection of Alpine plants for primarily scientific purposes, but also importantly for their many visitors to enjoy in the extensive Rock Garden, surrounding areas and the Alpine Houses. So far, my role has included weeding, propagation of Primulas and planting tiny, rooted cuttings of Dionysias in the Tufa Cliff.

I have a wee patch of communal garden beside our home in Haddington which keeps me out of mischief, including a small patch of lawn, allowing me to maintain my hand with a lawn mower and, of course edging! Looking after our grandchildren, who live in Barcelona and Munich is an obvious thrill and we have both returned to our own childhood memories as we become practitioners of “Pooh Sticks” and feeding the ducks on our local River Tyne.

Of course, we have re-visited Branklyn Garden several times with warm emotions. What a great job the new team have achieved with Kate and Fiona at the helm. We miss our time there and the staff and volunteers, but what a great feeling knowing that all is well.

Future blogs may well centre on more specific subjects, including Alpine and Woodland plants, wine, and a few sporting experiences!

Jim