Found myself re-visiting the Gnome Garden, just to see if  the Garden Gnome is still out there all on his own, representing the promise of a garden in a brand-new neighbourhood. Wonder why it appeals to me so ….

My first garden, in the medieval part of the city of Delft, was not much bigger than this gnome’s wheelbarrow. Tiny indeed, but I loved it with a passion inversely proportional to its size.  I must have been an infernal bore about my new pastime. For to teach me a lesson my friends pitched in to buy me the most garish garden gnome they could afford. Thank god we were all pennyless in those days! The little treasure is with us still, tucked away in a quiet corner of the garden – there being room enough for quiet corners!