Planting Trees

Today was a bit of an enigma.

Following a online request for help, my friend and I decided that we would Do Some Good and went to lend a hand planting trees with the local school. We were a bit late, and as usual I went without the map, but how hard is it to find 15 students planting 400 trees? A damn sight more tricky than you'd think!

We ended up in the pub (source of all valuable local knowledge) and got some directions. I even managed to tell the fella about homeopathy. He wondered whether it might help him quit smoking as no patches have so far. I assured him that it could and we seperated Good Buddies, with me wishing him luck and he wishing us luck.  On reflection he had a better chance of success than we did.

We cruised the area and found woods and trees, but no school groups. The directions were good, but I think we were looking for the wrong place. We even phoned the school but the Reception were not really able to help up. It was at this point that I started to see the funny side - two of us in massive cagouls, wellies and rain hats, carrying spades and looking to plant some trees somewhere. Anywhere. I suspect that ridiculousness of our situation must have carried down the phone because they said they would find out and ring us back, but no call ensued.

It was at this point my friend quietly informed me of the work she had turned down and the sick offspring she was neglecting (don't worry - it was most likely just don't-want-to-go-to-school-itis) in order that we migh save the planet and plant some trees. It was all too cruel and as it was now past the finish time anyway, I did the only thing I could and offered for her to come and plant a tree at my house.

We stopped off on the way to get a pot, where I told the young man in the shop about volunteering in Tanzia and I even managed to tell the barrista in Costa. (yes, we were sorely in need of a coffee - not to celebrate our endeavours so much as in recognition of our good intentions. We did feel like complete twits.) We then came home and potted a 10cm box hedge that I plan to grow into a magnificant piece of topiary.

Well it was planting something.