After a restless, sleepless night the 'phone shrilled.
"Hi Gina. It's Richard. Do you remember meeting me yesterday/" As if I could forget - my heart leapt.
"Ged Maguire, the Director, is definitely interested. He'll see you on Monday. Bye and Good Luck". I was left holding an empty phone.
The next three days were spent in a whirl of feverish activity. My dustbins were full to overflowing with assorted debris. "I wish they were coming in three weeks time when all the fuchsias are in bloom" I mused, as the seagulls dive-bombed in for their morning tea-break.
Monday dawned.
"This is it. Go for it girls" I muttered to myself, eagerly jumping out of bed.
Two p.m. on the dot Ged bounded up the steps. Within ten minutes he'd covered my front and back gardens, greenhouse, lounge and kitchen and learnt my life story!!
"Well, what do you think?" I could hardly breathe.
"Oh yea, we'll film Alan tomorrow, you Wednesday 8.30 a.m.". His casualness astonished me.
I'll draw a veil over the remainder of the day, suffice to say there wasn't a word in the dictionary to describe my elation!!
Wednesday came, so did 8.30 a.m. and the T.V. crew of Ged, the Director, Roger, the soundman, Dave the cameraman, Jacqui PR/Continuity and the dropdead gorgeous blue eyed presenter, Chris Beardshaw. Ged introduced each one personally. Their friendliness, courtesy and informality soon put me at ease.
From the opening shot until the last, the quality that shone through all of them was true professionalism, dedication, patience and lack of egotism. No-one bitched, whined or complained, they worked as a whole.
The weather ran true to form. It was blowing a Westerly, force 6-8 gale. Ideal to show the adverse growing conditions, but less easy to work with for the crew members. We stopped filming for sound, a train, on the north side. For the wind, sound and camera, on the south side. For the sun, for the rain, for the cloud, for the greenhouse shaking. You name it, the filming was stopped until the shot was perfect. All the time perfect harmony.
We went for a fish and chips lunch at the Pub on the Beach. Orange juice and sodas all round. We learnt about each other family, fiends and interests. Then a "Right back to work" from Ged and we all trooped back.
Between takes when we couldn't film I spoke with Chris. I leaner of his qualifications as a landscape architect, his passion for nature and wildlife. I asked how he felt when swimming with the dolphins.
"Truly humble, Gina". That for me gave the true essence of his being.
I could write thousands of words to describe the marvellous day I experienced with the crew but the outstanding attribute of the crew were the total acceptance of me as a holistic therapist, the sense of fun and joy that pervaded the whole day's filming, the patience and sheer professionalism of every member.
Ged summed it up.
"Great working with you Roger. I hope it's not another four years before we work together again", shilling Rogers hand in farewell.
The crew had only got together that day! It gave me wa whole new meaning to the word teamwork! a lesson to us all in harmony, goodwill and team spirit.
For me a memorable day of delight, joy and pure magic!
"Goodbye, Gina. Lovely to have met you. Enjoy every moment of it." A warm enfolding hug and kiss from Chris. My day of magic transformed into a day of pure bliss!!
And I am glad that I chose to grow my fuchsias, against all odds? You bet I am!