It was our anniversary and Ahmad was deep in maths paper marking with an approaching deadline. We decided to have a day out. He proposed: no-nonsense open purse shopping...a new ring...to go wherever I wanted. My choice.
I just wanted to go somewhere outdoors, somewhere green and quiet that we didn't have to drive a million miles to get to, and maybe come home with a basketfull of plants.Thankfully just 4.3 miles away an 8 minute drive will take you to Hergest Croft Gardens. A little wonderland with azalea gardens and magicical handkerchief and monkey puzzle trees. There are little paths and gates that lead to a walled kitchen garden crowned with artichoke thistle heads standing proud like fat green pineapples, woodlands peppered with pinecone treasure and a cute wooden house...It might be fun to stay there one night and wake on a chilly forest morning to the sound of woodpeckers chiselling dimples in the friendly trees, a smoky fire burning in the fat outdoor stove, our hands warming on hot mugs of coffee...Don't you think so too...?
Lovely blog, your photos are lovely!!! Happy Anniversary juxx
ReplyDeleteHi Jules, thank you...good to hear from you.
DeleteHave a good weekend.
debx
So that's a monkey puzzle tree! Been intrigued by them since I first watched The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. What lovely gardens. I think you chose very wisely. I actually have a little cottage in my backyard that is very much like the one you described. And yes, it is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJane
Hi Jane. The top three images are of the handkerchief tree. I hadn't seen one before, it's so pretty and unusual. I didn't post one of the monkey puzzle it's massive and has unusual branches that look a bit like a christmas tree with weird triangular tough looking leaves. There are some images here. Apparently they have edible nuts right at the top.
DeleteI have a dvd of that film, I love some of those really old films.
Your little cottage sounds wonderful...how lucky. Happy days there.
debx
Happy anniversary Debby. I do think it would be an amazing place to stay, it's beautiful. Isn't it fun to find such beauty right in your back yard? I do hope you take time in the future to visit often.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Tracey. It was on the 25th but I'm so far behind catching up with my writing. We had lovely time. So much so that we just bought season tickets to visit. It's only opened to the public for a short time during the year but with the season ticket we can go at any time of night or day, 365 days a year. I can't wait to see how it changes through the seasons.
Deletedebx
dear debby,
ReplyDeletehappy anniversary!! beautiful photos from a wonderful place.
thanks for the tip of turmeric. i will it try.
have a nice week,
blessings regina
Oh thank you Regina. Your welcome. I'm positive that it helps to prevent lots of aches and pains because it is so anti-inflammitary. I made your radish leaf pesto for supper...it was delicious. Thank you for sharing. I'll write about it and link to your page.
DeleteHave an amazing week,
debx