Last Sunday my friend picked me up to take me for a birthday trip. It was a very grey day, and the direction we took meant that the forecast rain was inevitable. It was quite odd to be in the passenger seat, Sue isn’t an enthusiastic driver so I’m usually behind the wheel even in her car. This is the road across Dartmoor.
It doesn’t look promising does it?
Our actual destination doesn’t have any café facilities, and it was already 11.45 so we stopped off at Buckland, for coffee and halfsies on a piece of Bakewell tart.
The restaurant at Buckland has the most interesting old beams.
National trust plant centres are always tempting but I knew there would be more interesting choices later on.
Now just play nicely together for a little while, because I’m not taking you where I went just yet, there are too many photos and I have to try to choose some okay ones from the endless blurred rainy day ones.
Three hours have passed and we’re back at Buckland, too late for a hot lunch or sandwich, but starving, thank goodness for a cheese and onion pasty! Then it’s outside for a stroll. It’s still grey but here are some cheerful stars.
and a pretty garden wall and fence.
with a very formal Elizabethan garden.
The last time I visited Buckland Abbey it was April and there wasn’t much to see in the garden at all. This time I mainly saw purple, pink and magenta.
Even around the corner in the border to the side of the Abbey.
Thank you Buckland for providing the contrast in the middle of my day!
Lucid Gypsy 
This is magnificent place. So love the colorful flowers, the pinks against the gray stone. What a divine place to walk and enjoy the fresh air. Too bad dark clouds followed you, but thanks for this lovely tour. ❤ ❤ ❤
Tess you’ve probably been ther with me before, I did quite a few posts when i visited before because I was so impressed. Here’s just one https://lucidgypsy.com/2013/04/17/buckland-abbey-costumes/
Gorgeous. Sigh. Beautiful details. Don’t know if I could wear all that though. I’ve grown too comfortable in jeans and tees. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed this tour as well. 🙂
Wonderful despite the weather conspiring against you!
How nice to be chauffeured on a birthday trip!! Such beautiful gardens, Gilly. Love those bright stars. Those old beams look very old indeed. Halfies on a piece of Bakewell tart sounds very restrained. 🙂
The naughty pasty made up for it!
😀
Lovely contrast, Gilly. And a cheese and onion pasty sounds wonderful!
Wonderful plus cake & pasty! Fabulous
I love the purple, pinks and magentas – my sort of colours. Now I am intrigued as to where you really went…
What a wonderful start and finish to your birthday treat, Gilly! Lovely vibrant colours and weathered in architecture ~ great photos! 🙂
Beautiful flower captures on a grey day! Love the photo of the Abbey What a wonderful birthday treat, Gilly! Thank you for sharing it with us. 🙂
Purple pink and magenta can make anyone’s day better – and this post made my day brighter
Happy belated bday and thx for sharing this cool place!
More treats planned? 🙂 🙂 I never even got a look in with that Bakewell tart! I suppose 3 ways is a bit mean for shares 🙂 But I love the beams, and all that luscious magenta. Have a good week, Gilly!
It is definitely the time to see some flowers despite the unpredictable weather nowadays.