MESSAGE FROM ELSPETH THOMPSON’S HUSBAND FRANK WILSON

It is with the deepest sadness that I must tell you that my beautiful and beloved wife Elspeth died on Thursday 25th March aged 48.

She brought her family and friends so much happiness during her short life and she loved to share some of the things that brought her happiness through her writing. She was loving, warm, wonderful and generous and she will be missed by many.

I will try to write more about her when I have had the chance to begin to come to terms with our tragic loss. She used to get so much pleasure from all the comments readers made on her blog and I’d like to thank you for your support.

May she rest in peace and remain in our hearts.

Frank

ADDED,  29/3/10:

Elspeth’s obituary in the Telegraph can be found here.

7 MARCH 2010

After the longest, coldest winter that I can remember (and I was away for two weeks of it), spring is finally springing –  with tubs of bulbs all bursting into bloom.  I’ve been rushing about in the garden, trying to catch up with long-neglected pruning and getting some bare-rooted hedge plants in.  Indoors, things are shockingly untidy as a result, but in among all the mess, we’re enjoying watching pots of spring bulbs open in the increasing light.

We’ve been enjoying waking to lighter mornings, with pink-tinged skies glimpsed through the raised guard’s van windows in our sitting room….

… and the early sun making the decorations on my daughter’s bedroom windows glow like stained glass …

As I embark on the next stage of work on the seaside garden, with the creation of proper paths, a large pond and the planting up of beds beneath the pergola, I have been thinking about all of the gardens I have made – none of them in particularly promising places.  And I’ve decided to start a new blog, which will concentrate much more on gardening – chronicling my efforts here, and also championing others who feel compelled to garden in unprepossessing sites or circumstances. It’s called GARDENING AGAINST THE ODDS and you can find its embryonic incarnation here.  It’s still in its early stages, but do pop over and see what you think. Meanwhile, things will continue here with regular posts on home life, photographs of my beloved beach in all weathers, favourite poems and so on…. I hope you’ll enjoy it all.

For background information on our project to turn two Victorian railway carriages into an eco-home, plus more photographs, garden writing and other journalism, and information on my past and current books, please visit my website.

23 FEBRUARY 2010

We’re back from our travels, and my heart is brimful of memories, not least of  the wonderful sunsets. Why is it we take the time to watch them when on holiday, but so seldom do it at home?

I resolved to make more time for sunsets in my life – so on the first afternoon that we were back, we were down on our own beach – a little less exotic but no less beautiful, enjoying the amazing light show at the close of day as the dogs leaped with joy at our return.

Having animals to come back to always makes the end of a holiday easier. It may be wet, it may be cold, and it may be extremely muddy, but it’s still good to be back home.   I’d like to bring you more photographs – of the white crocuses in pots on the front door step just opening, and daffodil buds pushing through the soil – but I have managed to drop the camera yet again (can you believe it?) and so those will have to wait a few days. But I hope to be back before long.

For background information on our project to turn two Victorian railway carriages into an eco-home, plus more photographs, garden writing and other journalism, and information on my past and current books, please visit my website.