While we settle back in to our home, organise our lives, catch up with life at home and on the allotment, and frankly get my head into some kind of gear I’ll tell you a story, a little one, just like the central character.
Let’s step back a bit to a birthday a few years ago, a beautiful bright sunny day and we headed out for what has become a bit of a tradition – a walk. We take the day off from whatever is happening in our lives, sling our boots on, grab a map, shove a flask of tea and a couple of snacks in a bag and off we go for a ramble around the Sussex / Kent countryside. A day away, a day of pleasure, a simple day.
We headed out early, had the most wonderful walk and reached home late afternoon, tired and happy. To be greeted. Greeted by a little fellow on our doorstep. It appeared he’d spent most of the day there, watching passers-by and life in general along our street, taking it all in. A quizzical expression on his face, leaning on his spade and wondering where the digging needed to be done.
And so Little Martin came to live with us and set up residence in our garden. Sometimes he sits on a wall, sometimes he is found under a Fatsia taking shelter from the rain. But he’s still with us, presiding over our flora and fauna.
And his name? Well it was a matter of deduction, phone calls, heavy and rigorous questioning, involving drinking wine (yes, that intensive!), until we finally got a flicker of a chuckle from our friend. And of course his stature – or how shall I put it delicately? rather lack of it. And so Little Martin was christened.
Bonjour mes amis!!
A charming visitor who came to make his home in your garden. And a lovely story.
Thank you 🙂
I liked to read this story.
robert
Hi Robert, it was a fun day what with going for a great walk and then coming home to find we had a new resident!
A very memorable return to whatever
You know he could always move home ……
Gotta admit, when I first read your title, I thought it said ‘Martian”…must be that French UFO video that’s making the rounds. 😉
He’s a funny little fellow; you were so good to take him in and give him a home!
Hi Marie, I’m not sure we had any choice in the matter, he was blocking the doorway 🙂
I like him a lot – he’s got a cheeky sort of face.
Hi Frugal, he seems to have made himself comfortable in the garden so I just wonder what he’s up to when our backs are turned, given that cheeky smile of his!
Did he bring a little pot of gold ?
Damn!!! I knew something was missing !!!
He looks very happy and at home – hope he helps with the digging! PS. Have e-mailed you, hope it gets through!
Yay, emails all working again 🙂
What I’d really like help with is a snail patrol, I’m really not sure if he’s taken that job to heart yet – I suspect he is too busy with other jobs of his own making 🙂
Does Little Martin help you with the weeding? He looks like a fairy tale and a very helpful kind of little gentleman.
Hi BAM, he may LOOK like he’s hepful but I’m not altogether sure he is, he seems to like standing around a lot staring into the distance 🙂
oh he is just simply gorgeous! What a great presence to come home to.
He was certainly a memorable birthday present!! Hope you are having a super day 🙂
What a pleasant surprise to find on your doorstep. He’s obviously been treated well, just look at those rosy cheeks!
He he John, those rosy cheeks are a sign of something, I’m not sure what though, I do wonder what he is consuming when my back is turned
That is the very BEST way to receive a gnome! and Claire honey, ‘lamb namer’ and ‘broken bone healer’ and ‘mountain baker’ .. I am desperate for you to get home and out to the allotment! I want to see before and after pictures too.. !! c
Celia, I’m loving my “titles”, anyway hi honey I’m home! Oh and message recieved and understood 🙂
What a charming friend!
Hi Inger, and thank you 🙂
Wonderful. I liked too… Thank you dear Claire, with my love, nia
My dear Nia, thank you – he is kind of silly and funny and cute
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think he is cute.
I can’t quite believe I did a post on a garden gnome either Sharyn 😉
What an endearing little impish face! What a perfectly happy welcome home! I think this is just awesome!!
Thank you Smidge I was giggling away writing this post, so his reception is just perfect 🙂
Little Martin is adorable, so much more classy than the pseudo-silly gnomes with red pointy hats that look like something that should be working for Father Christmas. Now I want one like yours!
~ Lynda
You know Lynda, I’m beginning to worry that all this attention will go to his head and he’ll get too big for his boots and start lording it around the garden 🙂
Hahaha!
Awwwww. He is a charmer, that guy. Elmo and Jack are studying his photo, and send their heartiest greetings from mid-Sussex.
He he, and Little Martin say’s he remembers seeing Elmo and Jack and now sends his heartiest regards 🙂
I love gnomes their sort of happy little things a bit like the 7 dwarfs.
Yes! They are like the 7 dwarfs, me as Cinderella? Maybe not!!!
Surely this guy brings success to your lovely gardens!
I’d like to think he did, we are going to be re-doing our garden this Spring/Summer so lots of help be it digging and sorting or good luck would be very welcome !
How lovely to be greeted by such a cheery face on your return home! 🙂
It was certainly a surprise 🙂 He stands at about 2 feet tall and you honestly couldn’t miss him sitting there on our doorstep!
bonne nuit Claire!
Wonderful little story 🙂
Thank you Giovanna, and I hope you have a wonderful day 🙂
He’s cute! Though, it’d be better if he came to life like the gnomes in “Gnomeo & Juliet”. Ha!
He, he he 🙂
What a lovable gnome to have watching the garden while you are away from home.
I think all this attention is going to his head Karen 🙂 It certainly was a surpirse to find him on our doorstep !
A friend of mine recently had one of these little fellows pop up on her doorstep! So surprising, and I think a nice little omen of hospitality! I hope he does a good job of watching over your home while you travel! Debra
Hi Debra, I’m pleased to hear I’m not the only one to have a gnome land on me 🙂
Martin is a wonderful name for a gnome. Mine looks like he’s up to no good. His name is George.
Hi Jule, I’m just loving the name George 🙂