Did you grew up in a house with a garden?
I was born in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. I spent my childhood in this metropolitan environment. Our apartment was on the 5th floor. There was no garden, no trees, no green. I loved living there, especially as a teenager and young adult. Because I was close to everything that meant Life to me at that time. Cinema, art galleries, parties, lots of cultural activities.
But my favourite place as a child was my grandparents’ weekend house. It was in a small village near the Danube. I spent all my summer holidays there. I cycled everywhere, adventured in the woods with my friends, swam in the river. We were free.
And one of my sweetest memories is the taste of raspberries in my mouth. Gradma asked me to pick the fruit from the garden. I usually put one in the basket, two in my mouth, and so on. Perfect bliss.
One the morning, after a crazy summer storm, a thick branch of our apricot tree lay on the ground. I felt deep grieve for the tree.
My other favourite garden work was to collect the green peas. I loved to peel them and eat the sweet grains.
During these summers with my grandparents, I learned to be grateful for the gifts of the soil. They were not super gardeners. But they treated the land with love.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how to garden at all. Houseplants never had a long, happy life with me. But I can feel the inner tingle when I can poke the soil. I don’t recognise plants by their leaves, or sometimes even by their fruit. But I love the herbaceous smell of gardens. Something is calling me, I truly feel it.
When I stumbled upon the Community Garden in Lyttelton by chance, I was immersed in it in no time. I was captivated by its atmosphere and its richness. I was happy to have my camera with me.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the life of this wonderful garden. Even without gardening knowledge, so, I think it’s worth a try…
