Husqvarna competition winner

We asked James a few questions about the winning experience and how he is now enjoying his new Husqvarna Automower®.

1) What made you enter the competition?

I was having trouble sleeping and at about 3 am I took to my iPad and went onto the Shoot site looking for inspiration for spring and summer planting and shrubs. I watched the video of the Husqvarna Automower® several times. I entered the competition straight away. I rather then forgot about it... until we got the great news.

2) How did you feel when you won?

We were extremely happy but the initial response we gave was quite comical. My wife Deborah took the first call from Stina at Husqvarna, only to send her away with a flea in her ear saying I would be back from London tomorrow. Stina duly called the next day and again was confronted by my wife. We were in the process of preparing that week for my son’s wedding which we were holding at home and I was doing the catering for 90 guests. I was in the process of trying to put some screening up and struggling to get wooden poles into what was solid ground. Deborah knew I was probably not in the best of humours and suggested Stina call back next week. Stina explained that she only wanted to tell me I had won the 420 Automower®. Deborah still sceptical but now alert said there was no such thing as a free lunch and what was the catch. "There is no catch", Stina explained, "James has won!" Well ... soon after a confirmation email arrived and I can honestly say we were extremely happy!

3) How was the fitting out experience?

James from Husqvarna was brilliant. The (heavy) machine he has for laying the wire is superb and in only a short time he had the whole thing set up for area 1 of our garden. "Stenson" (what we affectionately call our Husqvarna Automower®) was off and running and didn’t stop for 3 days. James was kind enough to come back a couple of weeks later to finish hooking up area 2 for "Stenson" to tackle. Again this was very straightforward. I have phoned James several times and nothing is any bother. He has been a delight to deal with as has Stina. I would highly recommend leaving it to the professionals to install. They have all the right kit with them to make it so easy. James was also brilliant at setting up the actual modes and timings of the mower and this also was useful.

4) How have you found using the Automower® since the installation?

"Stenson" is an absolute joy. He has cut down Deborah’s mowing from 3 hours to only fifty minutes. The orchard and front outside the gates would not be possible for "Stenson" to mow. We were, of course, sceptical at first as to whether this is something of a gimmick. Not in the slightest. The lawn is already looking better than ever and "Stenson" goes about his business all day long come rain or shine. He has only got stuck once on a now filled in rut on the grassy knoll seen in the photos. He copes with it now fantastically. The area 2 is looking better than it has ever done given it was only reseeded and bare in the spring. The auto mower is no gimmick!

5) Would you recommend it to others?

We already have recommended it. One couple at a charity lunch had entered the same competition and were delighted to find out somebody had actually won! Another friend already has an auto vacuum cleaner called "Boris" and is intent now on getting a Husqvarna Automower®. I have had lots of enquiries from people since posting on Facebook too. If you have a lawn that fits the dimensions and even with many trees, as you can see from ours, then this product comes highly recommended. "Stenson" sparks not only a lot of fun, discussion and interest, he is mightily effective and allows us more time for other gardening chores.