Consequently, after a big meal and a few drinks I had to have a bit of a lie in this morning (and it's Saturday!) so I missed the most exciting (and dangerous) part of the day. I'll start at the beginning...
My Dad loved his garden, and he was also a bit of a DIY expert; he'd try his hand at anything really. So when my parents got the wonderful new double glazing fitted my Dad decided to recycle the old window frames and made a greenhouse at the top of the garden. We reckon that was about 30 years ago.
The whole family were quite sentimental about it; Dad sadly passed away in September 2004 and we associated the old greenhouse with him - sowing seeds, tending his bonsai, or just having a cup of coffee and some peace in his den!
After three decades the greenhouse had seen better days and was actually getting quite dangerous with loose timbers leading to possibly loose glass.
Mam agreed that it would be a good idea to look for a new greenhouse, so we ordered a few brochures online and spent a couple of Saturday afternoons deciding what she'd like. And then we ordered, and waited (only three weeks!).
The new greenhouse is due to arrive next week, so we set about taking the old one down today. My sister and her hubby turned up at 8.30am, but as I'd had a late night celebrating I didn't turn up 'til 10.15am and missed a lot of the 'fun'!
The roof came down easy enough, but Dad had put the greenhouse together so well that when they tried to take each panel down the whole side came down too. Sister's hubby's face was a picture, I'm told, as he was in the middle of it all!! So when I turned up the greenhouse was mostly gone, and Mam's, sister's and her hubby's hearts rates had just returned to normal!
We still spent another few hours knocking down the walls (great fun!) and sweeping up. I'm sure Dad was watching us today - having a good laugh, no doubt!
It's amazing the space that's left though, it looks so small considering how big the greenhouse was and what was in it.
So, watch this space for the next installment...
I'm off now for my bacon sarnie. Hubby has gone to Scotland today for a football match (Annan Athletic v Queen's Park FC) and to meet up with an old mate, so I'm being naughty and having a bacon sarnie, can of Coke and a Twirl for my tea. I'll put some lettuce in the sarnie though - make it vaguely healthy. Mmmmm!!!