It felt like a scene from Charlie's Angels, in reverse, as I swivelled with importance behind the imposing leather desk at FR2DAY HQ (Big Boss was out) and in walked the Celtic Golf trio of garden experts Killian, Kieran and David. Admittedly there wasn't a lot of glossy hair shaking, from the boys that is, but I soon found out that they have far more substantial assets; they have possibly the strongest, thickest, fullest and greenest of thumbs on the Rivera.

These boys could turn a motorway into a garden paradise with their combined backgrounds and skills. They can do it all; build stunning stone walls, pave or deck their way around your dream pool (built and designed by them) and fill your garden with the lushest and greenest of green grass. And no it's not because they are Irish, that would be too much of a cliché. This is why...

All three of Celtic Golf's founders started their love of gardens (back in their native Ireland) through their love of golf and golf course maintenance. But they were ever-hungry to learn more and so spent time in the golf epicentre, St. Andrews, Scotland and also in the US gathering a collection of diplomas and prizes. But most importantly of all, they learnt every trick possible about how to keep a top golf green permanently perfect. Understanding under and over ground irrigation systems being key, especially when up against the elements in the most arid of American states. So the transition from golf greens to green gardens was more than a natural one. The next step was going prestige and where more prestigious than the French Riviera?

The three boys (for some reason they make me come over all maternal) set up Celtic Golf in 2003 and their gardening projects already span the entire length of the Riviera from Saint Tropez to Monaco. But their offices are conveniently based in a halfway house (no, not that kind) in Mandelieu. And these days the greenest of lawns, the bluest of pools and the richest-looking decking are standard fare from Celtic Golf.

Riviera residents often value the outside of their homes more than the inside; after all it's the main reason why we live down here. And yes we all panicked a little in December when the rain just wouldn't let up but now spring is in the air and a beautiful home with a shabby garden is frankly a crying shame. I should know, I invented the concept. Much to my three Irish compatriots' abject horror.

After I'd closed each one of their fine manly jaws (using Big Boss' favourite pen for hygiene reasons and simply out of pure badness) I asked them if they would consider completely renovating my 2,000m2 'garden' for free. They stopped looking shocked and laughed sweetly. In my face. They said that although their prices are extremely competitive and that I was a very nice girl etc. they weren't in a position to build my dream garden with illuminated crazy golf course and a waterfall so I could wash my hair like the Timotei girl 'for no money at all'. Oh well. Later on that day I approached Big Boss and asked him for a raise (last month's salary was a broken TV and an old dog basket) he laughed in such a Machiavellian way that I dropped the subject immediately.But if any of you lucky folks do treat yourselves to a stunning Celtic Golf garden maybe you'd invite me along so that I can sit in it for an afternoon and dream...