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| Autumn sunshine on the lake at Reaseheath |
The was a minor celebration this week with the official presentation of RHS award certificates to those of us who managed to pass their fiendish exams in the previous academic year. I now have an RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture, and the rather nice pale green piece of paper to prove it!
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| Another qualification! |
It was also great to catch up with some friends from last year, especially veterans of the 'Bridge too Far' trip to Arnheim. We would have had more time to chat if I hadn't made the mistake of assuming the 'main hall' at Reaseheath was the room in which we sat our exams and dragging Jon off in that direction only to find it all locked up. The climbing wall at the back ought to have been a clue that it was in fact a gym.
The actual Main Hall is, logically enough, located inside the old stately home itself and is a rather splendid Victorian attempt at a medieval hall, complete with mistrels' gallery (but mercifully no minstrels) and stained glass windows. Somewhat grander than the potting sheds and portacabins we've been used to!
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| Herself with certificate |
So that's another qualification to add to the collection in my CV folder, along with the various 'O' and 'A' levels, my Ancient and Medieval History degree and Building Studies HNC. It's tempting to conclude ruefully that despite all these, I still don't have a job that pays the bills, but as I settle down to tackle my online tax return, I can reflect that badly as I might think I've done this year, I am at least not running at a loss, and thus must have a far better business plan than those poor souls at Starbucks!
