I am generally quite capable of sinking into despair but what I have experienced with this tiny plot is simply beyond my imagination. I try to joke about it, but the painful truth is that I am one lousy gardener. I tell you this story from some time perspective and my emotions are rather settled at the moment. However, then the mentioned below events were taking place I could hardly see any positive outcome.

It must be said that the list of my gardening mishaps is endless and just for the purpose of this post I have chosen the most spectacular ones. And as the modern approach to psychology and development encourages as all to see our failures as our successes I am going to present the events as such.

Success Number 1
-reduction of fish population in a garden pond by 50% 
Success Number 2
-creation of a weed plantation almost in every flipping corner 
Success Number 3 
- designing a new style of cutting hedge by depriving it of any green leaves 

All of these have no real happy ending. Thankfully, we managed to sort out the pond problem and no further deaths are expected. When it comes to weeds, I am afraid the problem is evolving; even though I have spent hours on weed whacking, laying geotextile, and following other permaculture ideas (like for example using cardboard). And finally the hedge. Here the situation is quite simple - I can either wait for a miracle to happen or plant a new one.

The good news is that I haven't given up yet. And there are small marvels that make this whole experience a little bit less bitter. I got a patch of sunflowers - selfseeded and a bed of lavender and herbs. I know it's a little comfort but the journey continues. 

My top three priorities when looking for a summer holiday destination would be
1. scorching hot - so that I could complain about the heat 
2. touristy - so that I could go on and on how crowded the place is 
3. with little opportunities to speak English - so that I could keep on whining about the impossibility to communicate

And Venice almost ticks all the boxes.
The temperature in the summery Venice is incredibly high. However, it's not the days that are the worst but nights. Strolling through the city, even in the middle of the day is okey for me - perhaps thanks to the shade offered by narrow cobbled streets -  but the stuffiness of the night is quite unbearable - it makes you feel weak and weary.

I guess, Venice attracts a huge number of tourists all year round. No wonder as the city has a lot to offer. Anyhow, the peak summer season is when you can really feel the hustle and bustle of the city. And don't worry, even if my pictures don't show it, believe me - loneliness will be the last thing you experience. ​

And finally English. And here, I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed as I had been expecting almost zero engagement in this matter. And I was wrong. In most places people speak basic, communicative English and you don't feel stigmatized for wanting to use it. Of course, it's much better when you try to charm the locals with your few well polished Italian words but still I had a feeling that English is maybe not appreciated but definitely recognizable. 
​Here are a few highlights from my Venice experience - scroll, enjoy and veni, vidi.. Venice. ​

And finally a glimpse from my Instastory ;)

This year, I came into possession of a small allotment. Well, I say small, because it's not particularly big in square meters but if I were to comment on the amount of work it needed, needs and will be needing I could risk saying it's enormous! ​