<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/garden-backjul16.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-3678 size-thumbnail" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/garden-backjul16-200x150.jpg" alt="garden-back(jul16)" width="200" height="150" /></a>And today it rained. Why is it that whatever the weather there's always too much of it? For an hour at lunchtime it poured down and there was a risk that all the planting would just become a mud bath.

The slate in the pond was completed, all laid by hand for the greatest effect - show gardens are not gardening as the average person would know it - they are the pursuit of perfection and like a stage backdrop they are all an illusion but it isn't achieved by cutting corners.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/family-garden-tattonjul16.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-3680 size-thumbnail" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/family-garden-tattonjul16-200x150.jpg" alt="family-garden-tatton(jul16)" width="200" height="150" /></a>At lunchtime the family of gardeners were reunited in the shape of Helene, Caitlin and Tessa - a united, unbeatable team.

The rain held up progress and everyone was a little tired so it was an uphill struggle to make headway.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Caitlin-Tessa-Tatton-jul.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3679" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Caitlin-Tessa-Tatton-jul-300x225.jpg" alt="Caitlin-&amp;-Tessa-Tatton-(jul" width="300" height="225" /></a>Just when things were coming together and the pond pump was switched on nothing happened. The plug and fuse were checked but still nothing so the only thing to do was to remove some of the slate from the false floor above the pump to discover what was wrong. As soon as the pump was moved it started working. Further investigation will be required in the morning.

Saturday will be my last day on site until I return on Wednesday to see the awards handed out. If there are any prizes for diligence, hard work and courage then Caitlin should get a gold and we will know on Wednesday. In the meantime there is still some hard work and long days ahead of the team.