Eileen and Derek are proud of their garden and frequently eat Derek’s home grown fruit and veg. Once Jenny left home and married Paul, Eileen and Derek resumed eating out at local pub restaurants until they found one so good they decided they wouldn’t go anywhere else. Derek would love to be able to supply his own grown vegetables to a pub like this but knows he doesn’t grow enough. This is not because of lack of space but because Eileen loves flowers. Derek’s wildflower section is Eileen’s favourite bit of the garden. Their butterfly visitors are amazing too (though Eileen still thinks her wing pattern is superior but is hamstrung as she can hardly tell/show Derek this without bringing a lot of trouble down on her head.
During the blissful years before the Kingdom tried to claim Eileen back again, she and Derek spent a lot of their spare time visiting country estates. She would admire the houses. He, of course, studied the gardens and if he managed to spot the Head Gardener or any of the staff and have a quick word with them, Derek would consider it a really good day out. Eileen would find this amusing, knowing full well the Palace gardeners would have found this irritating - how dare a mere human quiz them. Yet Derek never had any problems here, impressing almost everybody he met with his wonderful gardening knowledge and that he was always keen to learn more. His gardening skills benefited from his willingness to ask and learn. His roses are widely acknowledged as the finest in Kirkham.