What great opportunities there are in Life if we are open to them. I've long held the view that every person, plant and animal can adapt to their environment with loving care and attentions. A childhood dream of mine was to live in a bungalow by the sea, which came true for me 36 years ago. As a child I loved nature and all living things. How could I combine my passion for fuchsias and still grow them in a climate that was completely against all traditional Fuchsia wisdom. There was only one way to find out and that was to do it!
The opportunity arose in 1998. My fuchsias normally grew on my North patio, but in 1998 I grew 100 extra fuchsias in pots on my South facing patio in full sun, due south and with the English Channel salt-laden winds. Success! They not only grew, they flourished. OK the pots fell over, but a solution was found in the form of concrete blocks and metal stands with wide bases. The half baskets just loved their position on the East facing California block wall with my barbecue underneath, not lit I hasten to add!! They seemed to thrive with the Westerly wind rushing through the open blocks and ruffling their tresses!
The fuchsias even survived the October floods of 1999. What more could they endure? So, IN the shingle beach they went and happily came through the winter, grew not quite so big, but grew they did! Another myth dispelled!! Firecracker was particularly obliging!! It grows quite happily not only in full shade in my north facing porch way but also in full sun, due south in beach shingle!!
Where could I share this exciting news? A few of my friends in the Fuchsia world had seen the evidence but others disbelieved. An answer came in the form of a God-given opportunity.
One of my near neighbours, Alan, is another great risk taker. He took early retirement from his mundane employment in a bank to fulfil his dream of becoming an artist,  his is another story. Suffice to say he is now a watercolour artist of great repute. He has created two gardens of exceptional beauty, by going with the environment and using every available material from the beach and combining them with indigenous herbaceous perennials and other plants. One balmy, sunny morning, which is normal for us beach dwellers, I spied Alan in his garden.
"Hi, Alan, when's your big day?" referring to a programme on his garden by BBC2 Gardener's World.
"Oh, hi Gina. The researcher is coming this afternoon" smiled Alan.
"Great" I replied while my mind sped into overdrive.
I walked away, may thoughts racing. Here at last was my opportunity and come hell or high water I wasn't going to miss it.
That afternoon was the hottest, longest and most nail-biting afternoon I'd spent. The hours dragged by. A car pulled up. A young man carrying a cam-corder ran up Alan's steps. Three hours dragged by, there is only so much time that can be spent cleaning a car. My little lilac jam jar (car). gleamed and sparkled with all the extra attention lavished on it.
Then as I glanced up for the 1000th time, the young man was shaking Alan's hand. Here, I pause to let you know I am no runner. However, Linford Christie eat your heart out!! The 50 yards between me and Alan was covered in record time.
"Richard, this is Gina" by way of introduction from Alan.
"Nice to meet you Gina", smiled Richard.
"Hi Richard. Are you interested in seeing fuchsias growing against all odds?" The hasty garbled words tumbled form my lips.
"Sure". The short reply caused an exuberant mental "Yes! Yes! Yes!" in me.
With pounding heart I led the way up my steps to my North patio. Richard reached the top, then paused.
"What beautiful plants!" His voice held a hint of surprise.
"Wait 'til you see the other side" my hasty, trembling voice must have given the game away!
"Oh!!!" gasped Richard. "This is different. I'm sure they (Gardener's World) will be interested", filming as he spoke.
He bade me farewell and promised get back in a couple of days, on Friday afternoon. Cheerily speeding off to his next appointment, leaving me in a state of mental delirium.                                      Continued on next page