On Saturday, I attended a pre-publication lunch held to promote Monty Don’s new book, ‘Down to Earth‘. I don’t often accept the various invitations I receive through the blog but this sounded marvellous … and with free food and drink too.
Despite considerable effort spent making myself sort-of-presentable, I still felt out-of-place at the very smart venue – Hams Yard Hotel, Soho – and on arrival half expected a hand on the shoulder and a polite shove toward the exit. But no. My name was on the list, the smiley staff were welcoming and immediately offered me a cold glass of bubbly. I clasped it tightly and tried not to gulp.
Four storeys above the hubbub of Soho, the roof terrace was cool and tranquil and beautiful, as I double checked my fingernails for mud and scanned the early arrivals in hope of a familiar face. There wasn’t one, so I tried to look purposeful by photographing non-gulped wine.
And then I took a second for no good reason and, still acting purposeful, explored the terrace.
Monty Don would arrive soon to sign copies of his new book for this small gathering of twenty or so bloggers and ‘influencers’. It was as I took the above photo that I saw two very welcome faces indeed emerging from the green: Michelle Chapman and Alison Levey, who write the Veg Plotting and The Blackberry Garden blogs. I’d met both before and they introduced me to two other bloggers, Sara Venn and Alexandra Campbell – The Physic Garden and The Middle Sized Garden – and I was no longer lonely.
With Michelle, I walked through a gate to a small but crammed-full veg garden, with beehives,
and even a green-roofed shed for goodness sake. But to be honest I was so busy nattering to Michelle that I took less notice of this roof-top oasis than I should have.
Our small group of Garden Bloggers gravitated toward the ‘signing table’ where we were offered a succession of wonderful canapes – and more fizz. I’d eaten nothing all day and was tempted to grab fistfuls of food at a time; but there was no need. Chunks of tender beef with béarnaise sauce, small ice-cream type cones crammed with delicious mushroom risotto and prawns speared on to something very-tasty-but-I’ve-forgotten-what, kept on coming with lots of other delicious morsels. I ate till I could eat no more. We washed all that down with gin cocktails in glasses the size of goldfish bowls, leaving us all rather jolly if not overtly raucous. I think.
Time for the main event.
As if by magic, Monty Don appeared straight off the telly and gave a short introduction about his new book, its journey from initial musings on a beach in India and its purpose: his personal thoughts on what is important about gardening, with tips and pointers to make one’s garden grow well.
Then, each guest was handed a Hessian goodie bag (no, really) containing a handsome mug (mine with the inscription ‘For True Gents’), a small pretty plant, a tube of posh hand cream, a roll of posh twine, a pack of posh teabags and The Book, which Monty would sign for us. I hadn’t expected a free copy and queued up dutifully.
When it was my turn to meet Mr Don, my mind went blank and rather than launching into pithy, witty, sparkling repartee nor even mentioning my blog (my son groaned and sank his face into his hands when I told him about that omission), I recited my smuttiest limerick.
Which went down well. (I didn’t really recite a smutty limerick. Though in retrospect, I rather wish I had. As I’m sure, does Monty).
I’m sorry to say that since the lunch, I’ve barely had time to open Down to Earth, let alone read it. But the publisher, Dorling Kindersley, who kindly laid on the lunch and to whom I offer my warmest thanks, has offered me a second (unsigned) copy to give away.
The book is published tomorrow and if you would like the chance to win your own copy, here’s all you need do:
say you want to enter in the “Any Thoughts” box below
and
(if you don’t do so already) follow ‘The Anxious Gardener’ blog; or follow me on Twitter; or like The Anxious Gardener Facebook page. Or all three! The relevant follow buttons are in the sidebar of this page.
You can also enter via Twitter or Facebook – check my Twitter feed and Facebook page for details.
Please note that the prize can only be posted to a UK postal address.
The competition will close at midnight on Sunday 15th October 2017.
I’ll draw a name from my hat, contact the winner and add the result to the bottom of this post.
Good luck!
oooOOOooo
Oh, poor me. It already closed when I knew the competition. I’ll wait for another chance next time.
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There might be another one along soon. D
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I’m on holiday inFlorida so hope not too late. Love Monty and enjoy his writing too. A great prize. Always read your blog, thanks for chance to win a great prize.
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Love your blog! I’d like to enter the competition!
Thanks!
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I would love to enter the Competition,nice hat by the way.
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Thanks – the big hole on top of my hat ventilates nicely. D
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I’ve just come across your blog what a wonderful witty read. I’d like to be entered in the Monty Don book competition please!
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You’ve made me want to shave off the roof of my house so I can have a garden up there . . with chairs and tables and . .. and . . . runner beans.
I’d like to win the book. Please put me in your hat.
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Let’s do it. I’ll pop round with my sledgehammer. D
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Hello David. Please enter my name in the Monty Don draw. Thanks
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I wish good luck to everyone!
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Must have been a great experience, David. Really enjoyed reading your story!
Could you put me in the hat for the book? 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed it and good luck in the draw, D
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I always really enjoy reading your blog, this one, in particular, made me smile – I am off on a garden design course at Scampston on Thursday, and already thinking – (well hoping that that there will be some like-minded self employed.gardeners there, I am sure there will) Oh yes, can you include me on your list for the book. Sally
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Enjoy the course, Sally and good luck. D p.s. I love meeting other self-employed gardeners if only to share tales of some our clients. I’ve got a few good tales from over the years!
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David, the course was at Scampston, with Nigel Dunnett, it was fantastic. The other gardeners I met were great, we didn’t talk about clients, but tools and winter work, and winter clothing were the hot topics at lunch !
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Sounds great, glad you enjoyed yourself. D
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I haven’t looked at your blog in a while Dave. (Too busy gardening or some such thing) I would love to curl up with Monty Don’s new book for a good read. So please can you enter my name in the competition? Thanks
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You may. I initially read your comment as you would love to curl up with Monty – something beyond my remit, I’m afraid. D
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I think my husband might be a bit surprised……
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Do you know how many bloody trees have gone into furnishing this tome?
enough to make Monty wince, probably.
Though not as many as AlanTitchmarsh has pulped over the years, probably.
Consider this as my entrance to your competition, bless you
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Alan Titchmarsh certainly has produced a lot of pulp over the years, Stuart. Good luck in the draw, D
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Hi Dave, Looks like you had a fabulous time (I love the sound of the food!) and so lovely to meet up with other bloggers. I enjoyed your post so thought I’d leave a comment but not fussed about having a copy of the book – I’ll wait until my local library gets a copy and dip into it then. (I’ve probably missed your draw anyway.)
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Hi Caro, well I hope I get to meet you one day at some ‘event’. I’ve been chatting to you on and off online for yonks now. The draw runs through till next Sunday – so you’re not too late, if you’d like me to pop your name in the hat? D
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Some bloggers they went up to London
To meet and have lunch with Monty Don
At a place that was fine
With a garden to dine
The two hours was far too quickly gone
Ouch!
It was great to see you Dave and catch up with your news – two years is far too long between get togethers. You can see why James Alexander Sinclair banned me from writing poetry on my blog 😉
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I’m really sorry, Michelle but I’m with James – no offence. 🙂 Great to see you too at last and we’ll need to plan another get together, and sooner than 24 months from now, D
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I thought I had entered,
Apparently not,
If you would be so kind,
To put my name in your pot.
👍
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I wish I owned a pot
a big one, nice and fat,
but since a pot I haven’t got
I’ll stick your name in my my big, fat hat.
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Please can I enter the competition, my new garden is empty apart from a few large trees and I need tips and inspiration! Thank you! Linda
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Of course you may, Linda and so polite of you to ask. Good luck, D
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Always follow your blogs with great interest and this one was as delightful as ever. I’ve several Monty Don books as I love his writing. Please add my name to the hat!
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Thank you, Alison – and good luck with the draw. D
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Must have been a very special day – you shaved!
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I know! Surreal, huh? I almost had to iron a shirt too … but luckily found a brand new one at the back of the wardrobe. Phew. D
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It sounded like a lovely evening – my attention was particularly caught by the gin cocktails! Please could you put my name in the hat? Thanks!
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Funny that. My attention was particularly caught by the gin cocktails too. Good luck, D
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Yes, please. Can I enter the competition? As a relative newbie I could do with all the help I can get. It gets a little overwhelming at times!
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Of course you may and it’s very polite of you to ask. We were all newbies once and it will still be a little overwhelming at times even when you’re not! Or at least I find. D
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Thank you. Your response is very reassuring. At least when I find myself floundering (current one: It’s autumn, what the hell am I supposed to be doing in autumn??) I can look across at others on their plots and think they’re probably having a moment of panic too!
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Hi
Great blog and of course I would like to enter the competition!!,
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Thanks and you shall! D
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Sounds quite a party, I happened to read the food details before I’d had dinner so it sounded particularly good.
Please put my name in your had and if I am lucky I will supply a U.K. address. Amelia
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Some of the other bloggers were photographing the food and the cocktails. Sadly, I was rather too intent in feeding to think to do the same. Good luck, Amelia, D
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I once saw Monty Don at Belfast City airport. I was too starstruck to even go up and say hello! I’m still annoyed with myself years later! I’d love to win his book, thanks.
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I shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. I should think Monty would have been relieved not to have been approached by anyone but what do I know? He probably isn’t as grumpy as me! D
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There once was a chap who went
To Soho to meet with a gent
Who loved to garden
But his brain started to harden
And everything witty was absent
(Not a perfect example, but the best I can manage mid afternoon!)
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That’s great, Archie, but as I said to gardeningonthedgeblog below not enough smut. Sorry to be such a harsh critic but smut will always win extra points, D
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The wonder if Google has been brought me here. My first gardening blog that I’ll be following. Now if I win the book, everyone is a winner (except the people who don’t win…).
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Never a truer word, Arif – best of luck, D
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It would be rude not to enter, having enjoyed your post so much…
Please put my name in the hat.
Many thanks.
Virginia
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Rude indeed, Virginia and good luck, D
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Love to enter your competition please
The ‘goodie bag’ has given me gift ideas.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, have signed up for more
Thank You
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Thanks Lynda – you had a double comment here, so I deleted one of them. Good luck, D
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How smart you look. Please enter me.
Sam
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Ta, it was actually good to dress up and not have a whiff of the compost about me. Though perhaps I retained the whiff, D
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Pingback: Win A Copy Of ‘Down To Earth’ By Monty Don – Pacey-Buck Garden Design
How lovely to be invited along and to have the opportunity to meet fellow gardening bloggers (and Mr Don). It’s a wonderful venue, isn’t it? I went to a friend’s birthday party there last year and spent most of my time in the garden part, admiring the planting. I would love a copy of this book, so please pop my name in your hat, thank you. Sam x
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Hi Sam, yes Ham Yard was very lovely and the staff were brilliant (which I should have mentioned in the post) as were the DK reps. And it was lovely to meet the other bloggers too. I rarely do, so it is a real treat to talk to people who inhabit the little world of garden blogging. Good luck in the draw. D
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Always enjoy your blog! I’m a huge fan of Monty, have read all of his books (he’s a great writer) and would love to enter the competition please! Marianne Murphy
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Eek, that makes me feel bad. I’ve only read The Ivington Diaries and The Complete Gardener. I better start catching up, D
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I might have to start blogging if I can get invited to posh parties! Hope you had a lovely time. That roof garden looks fab. I’d like to enter the competition please.
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Hi Rej, I have rec’d some corker invites actually but mostly they mean taking a day off and I have to factor in travel and a day’s loss of pay. But this one, on a Saturday, was a no-brainer. Blog away! D
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Lucky you to be invited to the rooftop garden to meet Monty. I am pleased you put in some details and photos as no-one else on Twitter or blogs did. You looked very smart and I am sure Monty understood everything you said. I enjoy your blog etc, but you are not as prolific as you used to be; hope new house/garden and jobs are going well. Please enter me in your draw.
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Hi Anne, I have put the blog a little on the back-burner these past few months but I should like to get back up to speed with it. Like everybody else though, I find that finding time to do all the things one likes to do is difficult. Monty was a true gent and smiled nicely at whatever garbage I came out with. I liked him a lot. Good luck in the draw, D
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Ooo you have changed! Rubbing shoulders with the stars! You were always destined for greatness, what are you going to do next? Glad things are going so well, looking forward to seeing you in a couple of months if you have time in your schedule for us mere mortals! Lots of love xx xxx
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Ps stick me in your hat, I love Monty Don! 😁
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Dear mere mortal, who exactly are you? Andrew Hodge? Nope, can’t recall.
Chortle, can’t wait to see you back where you belong. Dx
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Wonderful! Sounds a great book – count me in!
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Yes please, please enter my name into your hat, it sounds as though you had a wonderful lunch, glad the sun shone for you!
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It was a stunning day, Pauline and London looked beautiful. Made me wonder why I ever moved away. Then I stood at Cambridge Circus for quarter of hour waiting on a friend. It was so grim, I remembered why I moved away! D
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Nice one David.
Pop me in the hat friend.
Keep posting – this is an excellent blog.
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Popped and thanks very much D
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Oh, go on then.
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Oh, all right then, D
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Love your blog and this looks like a fabulous venue for a book launch. Please put my name in your hat to win the book. An avid Monty reader……
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Yes it was pretty fabulous especially for someone who is more used to Herman ze German round the corner. Good luck avid one, D
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Love following the anxious gardener, being an anxious gardener myself. Would also be pleased to win a copy of Monty’s book. Please put my name in your hat. Thank you
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Thanks and I’m terribly jealous of your name. Why wasn’t I called Meredith Hempstead? Life is unfair, D
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I’d love to enter – I love catching your anxious tales with glorious pictures. They never seem anxious at all.
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Thank you and good luck with the draw,
A little bit but not overly anxiously yours,
D
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Would love to win Monty’s new book, my favourite Tarte Tatin recipe came from one of his early books. He doesn’t give loads of instructions or ingredients but it works every time- bit like his gardening advice!
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OK – here’s the deal. If you win the book, I get the Tarte Tatin. In the post. Shall we shake hands? D
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There was an old gardener from Bath
Who fancies a read of that book and a laugh
So be a nice chap
Put me name in the hat
And put me out of my misery! HA HA
Missing your posts Dave XX
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Excellent if not quite smutty enough. Tick VG (smut would have got you a gold star too), D
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Well it certainly looks as though Monty is enjoying whatever it was you were saying to him. Encountered him in a stand off on a cattle grid once. Neither of us saw the other one coming. Each of us tried to reverse but he was quicker to get out of the way. Charmingly considerate even when off duty. Took me a while to put a name to the face though. (And yes, please add my name to your hat) Ceri
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I saw him once at Chelsea. He was only about 8 feet away, surrounded by people and I was sitting down. But he ignored me completely. A bit rude, I thought (not that we had ever met). Still, he seemed a thoroughly good egg on Saturday. D
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Enjoy your blog immensely! Monty who? 🎃
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Is that you, Dad?
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I would love to enter please, would really like to read this book
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>> I ate till I could eat no more
Not all bad then, this blogging lark? 🙂
If I win could you please send me your smutty limerick – so I can pass it on to Monty for you …
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It’s a deal. And ‘I ate till I could eat no more’ would sit nicely on my gravestone. D
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🙂
I’ve been labouring under the assumption “Live like you may die tomorrow, but garden like you will live forever”
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Hehe. Yeah, maybe your suggestion as well.
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Can never think of anything witty to say in these competitions, but love Monty and would love to win his book. Thank you.
Val Cranwell
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No witticisms required, Val besides Nanny Cranny is pretty good. Good luck, D
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Yes please. I would love to enter. Just also followed you on Facebook and Twitter.
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was it “there was an old man from nantucket”? Consider my hat in the ring. What i really want to know is, what happened to my invite?
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Ah, I see you’re a limerick connoisseur. Excellent suggestion … but nope, it wasn’t. Hat in the ring (with name in it) D p.s. The dog ate your invite?
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Jonathan
Would love to enter and even more so to read the book
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I’d like to enter the competition too please!
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Yes I’d love to enter please, having spent all day in the garden weeding and preparing for autumn – surely he will have hints for making it easier?
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I hope so, Anne though I’m afraid weeding is weeding! Good luck, D
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Love your tale setting the scene of the book launch. Lucky you.
Please add my name to your hat.
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Thanks Jennifer and added, D
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What a treat; gorgeous place, food and company all beautifully snapped. I love your blog and have been following it since I was lucky enough to get back in contact with your sister, Margaret with whom I was at school back in the day. I would love to win a copy of Monty Don’s book: my husband follows him religiously even though his ex-wife fancied him! Not my type but I enjoy his programme! Keep up the good work.
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Hello Jane, the launch was a bit of a treat. Good luck in the draw and perhaps I’ll see you at Margaret’s sometime, D
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Fingers Xed!
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I’d love to read anything by Monty Don. He is always full of sensible advice and ideas.
Also enjoy your blog Anxious Gardener.
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Glad you enjoy the blog and good luck.
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Love a copy of the book – anew garden looms so time to be inspired
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Good luck Anne and with the new garden, D
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I would like to enter, sounds like you had a good time. Not on Facebook or Twitter but I already follow your blog.
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Good luck, Linda. D
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Yes please, it would be lovely to win a copy. I like Monty’s writing and yours too.
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Thank you Becky.
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I would love a copy…please add my name to your hat!
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Added!
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I’d love a copy (about time I won something from you!). I travelled to England especially to hear Monty in conversion with ……(actually someone not very prepared and hopeless at asking questions, but Monty knew what was expected of him and managed to be entertaining despite the questioner). All this was at Hauser and Wirth in Somerset. Lucky you to be invited to a freebie; being here in Italy means I don’t get invited to these events. Miss reading your posts, don’t give up.
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Hullo Christina, he was very relaxed, very charming, very approachable. I did ask him if he got nervous in front of crowds to which he answered no. Which is where he and I differ sharply! Good luck in the draw, and whilst I don’t post as often as I used to, I’ll be around for a while yet. But thanks very much for the comment, D
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Yes Please! And by the way, you’ve scrubbed up very well!
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Twas a lot of red-raw scrubbing but thanks. D
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I would love to enter, but sigh…live in Canada. It sounds like it was a really great time. I would not be able to speak to Monty Don, my name would evade me I’m sure.
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I DID remember my name, which was just as well as he wrote it in the book. Took me a while though, D
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I need all the help I can get – very likely a useful book.
Thank You.
Gabriela Sexton
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Good luck, Gabriela
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I would like to enter! Lucky you meeting the great man himself 🙂
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Funnily enough, he said the same thing about me, D p.s. that’s not true
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Much prefer Mr Don’s writing to his broadcasting so would love to win this.
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Good luck, Phillippa.
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What a handsome pair, sounded like a lovely evening!
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The couple over my shoulder? Yes, aren’t they just. D
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Yes please I would like to enter but i already follow your blog, Facebook and twitter so can’t follow again
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Thanks Ann, I’m very grateful for any follows and didn’t mean to nag! The follow request wasn’t directed at you. :0
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I would like to enter your Monty Don competition please: Cathy Stevens, Woodpecker Cottage, West Harting, GU31 5PE
Thank you!! 🙂
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No problem, Catherine. Are you sure you meant to publicise your address? I can delete if you prefer? D
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I’d like to enter your competition!
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Done!
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