Into the darkness by peter Zimonjic

Okay, so this is not a gardening book.  I started to read this whilst half way through Monty Don’s “My Roots” and was immediately hooked.

 

Peter Zimonjic, a Canadian journalist, was on his way to work, along with thousands of others on 7 July 2005 when his world was turned upside down by an explosion in a tunnel on London’s Underground.

 

The train Peter was travelling in was passing the Edgeware Road train in a tunnel, when a suicide bomber exploded his deadly cargo. All was plunged into darkness.

 

Peter and several other passengers broke windows and entered the devastated train compartment, only feet away from where their train had halted.  What they found there should not have to be witnessed by anyone and will live with them forever.

 

Although harrowing in parts, I was caught up in the narrative and instantly engaged by the stories of the men and women whose lives were changed forever in the carnage of that fateful day.

 

The book tells the story of survivors, paramedics, underground staff and commuters who found themselves in unimaginable circumstances and of how ordinary people can behave with extraordinary  bravery and compassion when faced with horror and suffering. 

 

The book also tells of the dedication of the underground staff and the difficulties they face trying to run a19^th Century railway in 21^st Century Britain.

 

 Ultimately uplifting, I was left asking myself …. Would I have gone to help or would I have walked out of the tunnel and into the light.      

 

An Englishman’s Home by Tom Hart Dyke

Tom Hart Dyke is the genial plant ‘nut’ from BBC’s “Save Lullingstone Castle”. After training in Forestry and Tree Surgery at Sparshot College, Tom was also involved in plant hunting and was funded by several prestigious bodies such as RHS Wisley, Kent Gardens Trust and the Merlin Trust. On one such trip, hunting for orchids, Tom and a colleague were taken prisoner by local guerrillas.

This book tells the story of how, after his return from captivity in Central America, Tom’s tries to lay his demons by building the garden which he planned in his head over the nine month period he was held hostage in the Darien Gap.

The television programme was unable to show fully the psychological difficulties and nightmares Tom suffered on his release. The two things that keep him going through those turbulent months were thoughts of his family and the garden he wished to create when (and if) he was able to return to England..

Tom credits much of his extensive knowledge and love of gardening to his grandmother. They are extremely close and his love and affection for her shines through this book.

Tom is an instinctive gardener and is able to germinate plants that even RHS Wisley in their controlled environs is unable to grow.

The family home, Lullingstone, is slowly being eroded by lack of funds. Passing to Tom’s father after his uncle’s death, the house and grounds are, in some parts being sold off. Tom’s garden may be the only hope of saving it.

Part adventure, part family history (Tom has some very colourful ancestors) and part plant book, this book kept me entertained from beginning to end. I must confess to having a soft spot for Tom, who although at times seems naïve and unworldly is always full of enthusiasm and madcap ideas for anything to do with plants!

A Year in Christine’s Garden by Christine Walkden

Christine was 10 years old when she rented her first allotment, growing vegetables and flowers and selling to her teachers and friends.

Her love of gardening continued and she studied at Lancashire College of Agriculture, working later at Wakehurst Place.  After several other jobs in gardening she decided to gain more qualifications at both Pershore and Writtle Colleges, before becoming a lecturer as well as holding down her day job.  As life became busier and more difficult, Christine decided to go free lance and built up a satisfying and diverse working life.

This book is a year in her life.  In it she chronicles the trials and tribulations of filming, travelling all over the country for lectures and consulting for both gardeners and professional horticultarists. Her working life is both varied and challenging and she thrives on it.

Christine’s neighbours Reg and Pat, and her dog Tara feature strongly in her life.  There is nothing she likes better than a chat with Reg and walk along the river with Tara.  Simple pleasures seem to suit Christine’s nature best. She likes to give back to the community and loves working with children whenever possible.

As Christine says ” I eat, dream and breathe gardening and would not want to do anything else.  I am incredibly lucky.”

I think she is!