EQUATOR DEVELOPMENTS LIMITEDLandscape Gardener
Jul. 2007 - Aug. 2008Cheshire EnglandThe company was owned by John Williams. We built play-systems (read: playgrounds), water features, crazy paving, patios, outhouses. We gardened, weeded, pruned, sprayed, mowed, lifted and shifted. A typical summer weekend schedule looked like this:
5am - Start
5.15am - At the farm to get material, tools and supplies. Sometimes, we would go to the quarry (e.g. to get the 4-by-3 flagstones).
6am - At site. Setup.
6.30am - Tea. Briefing.
6.45am - Start work.
[...]
7pm - End That was every Saturday and Sunday. We learnt how to deal with customers that were dishonest paymasters (we'd go in and remove what we had built). Great business training. I had the privilege of working on some of the lushest, most gorgeous gardens in Cheshire. I learnt the art of conversation, e.g. from manor house owners who regaled us with stories (e.g. "Yesterday, a helicopter landed in my back garden - the lad said he wanted to buy my house and that his name was Robbie Williams. Do you know who he is?")