Now we are full swing into the first week of work. Thus far, we have just been working on restoring the gardens, assisting the pro-team that have already been at work for years. Our work has included uprooting massive and powerful plants (reminiscent of Lord of the Rings quote Uruk-Hai: "Their roots go deep my lord." Sauruman: "Tear them all down." That was obviously for you Bianca.), planting various specimens all over the estate, raking leaves (which we did for one FULL nine-hour day, talk about new experience), laying a path of wood chips, and shoveling mud from one place to be moved to another (don't ask me, I just follow orders).

The highlight of the work was a rainy afternoon when the entire team (all 8 of us) set to work clearing the rubbish from days of work. That involved one tractor, one leaf blower, two shovelers, three rakers, and Sharif (the muscle), we powered down one of the forest paths simultaneously raking and clearing and shoveling and turning a ragged forest into a pristine garden. We worked with military organization, extreme efficiency, and good fun teamwork. In the rain. Laughing. Shouting. Yeah.

The team, as it turns out, is great. Everyone is super friendly and has accepted us into the fold, although some of them are veterans of TEN YEARS on this job. They range in age from a kid who is twenty to someone who, well, it's obviously the ten-year-person. We all get along excellently. The head gardener is a true scholar of horticulture and they all know their work very well, with various specialties and a generally impressive work ethic. We drink lots and lots of tea (great excuse to take a break).

Ultimately, the work could not be better. We are in constantly fascinating beautiful surroundings, with a great group of people, in mild and often sunny weather, doing satisfying physical work. We are happy.