I’ve been doing my own version of The Repair Shop this week.
Many years ago, when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, a neighbour gave us two unpainted concrete gnomes. Despite my mother’s protestations, my father cleaned them up, gave them a lick of paint, and found a home for them in the garden. They became part of the family. We even named them after the neighbours (affectionally, I hasten to add). One of the signs of spring was “the time to get the gnomes out of shed”.
So, fast forward half a century, and one of the gnomes is now in my safe keeping. The other, alas, suffered a tragic and fatal encounter with a patio several years ago.
Although my father carefully repainted them every year or two, I have never done so. The gnome was beginning to look a little shabby.
Time for some renovation.
First off, after a good clean and scrape of loose paint, a bit of skull reconstructive surgery was required.
With most of the paint removed, I had to work out what was what by the shape of the concrete. I started with the traditional red top.
It was then that I noticed the bow at the back, indicating an apron. So the blue paint came out for that.
Green trousers and a brown log to sit on followed
And finally, the face, hands and trug
He’s now ready to go back outside and protect the garden from whatever it is that gnomes protect gardens from. I think he deserves a prominent position, such as near the water butt.
Looking good Chippy … how long did that take you ? … is that a coal chute near the g-nommy ?
Actual time was not very long; each coat took only a few minutes. But paint-drying time and fitting round other activities made the work spread over two or three weeks.
No, not a coal cute – I wish it were. It’s the modern day equivalent – the gas meter cupboard!
I think we are talking about different things … In the last picture next to the water butt, there is a brick structure with a sloping wooden top attached to the house, looking as though it goes down into a cellar
no, we are talking about the same thing. It’s just a small brick box around the gas meter
Sorry Chippy … thanks for that … stay safe !
Whenever I do something stupid in the garden, my wife threatens to buy a gnome. I tell her that I will get a shotgun and deal with it if she does. We have one gnomic figure and a cherub with a birdbath on its head – that’s enough. Gardens are for plants.
Poor g-nommies
Poor g-nommies
A Fantastic job. Currently In Ethiopia For 3 months so a little Garden Gnome makes Me laugh. Well Done. MP of Chandlers Ford.
Lo vely xdescription of bringing your gnome to Life again. I have a very decrepit one in my garden…given to my son aged about 11yrs old by next door neighbours who had lived in the family home all their lives. He had scaled up a ladder for them when they were locked out. The gnome was his reward!
Where can I get him restored, please? He has original paint on him in places & Id like to bring him back to his true colours again