On 2013-03-19 17:32:18 +0000, Bob Hobden said:

"Sacha" wrote

Today is Raymond's 80th birthday! Since the age of 16 he has worked in
horticulture, only taking a short break to do his National Service with
3 Para. In 1981 the family moved to Landscove, Devon and he's been here
ever since, running the Nursery with his son, Matthew. He's still
working every day and rarely takes time off. And as I've just heard him
say on the phone, he's definitely not retiring because he's seen too
many people age virtually overnight once they do that! He's out there
now, propagating some of his 'babies'! I have also heard him say that
when old gardeners are cremated, they're scattered two ounces to the
square yard and forked in lightly!!

Do please pass on my best wishes to Ray, if he remembers me it will be
because of the the Belamcanda chinensis.

Of course he remembers you! But not just because of plants, though I
admit that sometimes those are his memory prompt!! ;-) There is also
some lingering association with Iris in his mind!! And thank you for
the kind wishes to everyone. The lobsters are waiting, the sticky
toffee date pudding is made (weird combination but there we are) and
all I have to do is make a salad & steam potatoes & cook steaks for the
non-lobster eaters. I think he's had a great day and the best of it is
that he worked right through it, so he's a happy man!! ;-)
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk