Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
Twin Seat
Reminiscent of medieval windows
In repose against an ancient wall
Twinned seats in iron wrought
Languishing until the return of spring
To warm and settle the metal
Into a welcoming retreat
Until then you chill the cheeks
Of any brave or foolish souls
Who linger in the sleeping garden
Unblessed by loves gentle glow
Is the name given to an exhibition that has been at Killerton this year and I managed to catch its final day at the weekend. It’s about fashion and includes some designs by students at Falmouth university whose remit was, 
and this is some of their work
The little red number is my favourite! Here is the Courtenay dress, apologies for the glare, its part of Killerton’s collection and so was behind glass.
Here are a few more gowns from their collections, they are all vintage but some would still be wearable now.
To bring us into the right decade, these last dresses are made by current designers.
Any idea which is my favourite?
Ailsa wants us to show some delicate images this week. Today I went to the National Trust Estate at Killerton and there was a surprising number of flowers to see for November. What struck me most of all were the seed heads, they look so delicate don’t they?
Of course the truth is they are little power houses. Light as air, brittle, dry, usually dull brown colours, but each one unique. They have perfect timing, just at the very best moment they will catch a breeze or a raindrop and then fall. Next years potential flowers will work their way into the soil and lie dormant until conditions are right and then the brown will send forth fresh green growth.
Join in at http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/11/01/travel-theme-delicate/
So many of you were interested in yesterdays picture for ‘stone’ that I felt I had to show you a little more of the building.
Aren’t they pretty? And thanks to Nikki for adding this link to Facebook,
http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/out-03.asp
I was wandering through the streets in the old part of Bristol today with some friends and we came across some pretty almshouses. The were behind closed gates so it was difficult to get a good view but these stone carvings were set in the brick on the first floor. They are the Magi, carrying their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrhh.
I thought they were perfect for Ailsa’s challenge this week.
If you would like to join in or see some other interpretations visit her at http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/10/25/travel-theme-stone/
It was difficult to avoid a sunset and sea photo for this weeks challenge but eventually I found this one. Over in Suffolk, if you walk south along the beach from Lowestoft you will find this church. It was something I’d never seen before, a church on a beach so even though the light was dull I snapped it for the memory.
I’m sure you can come up with a much better horizon, so why not post it at
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/weekly-photo-challenge-horizon/
I followed last Saturday at Coleton Fishacre by spending Sunday at Knightshayes, but as I was there for a craft fair, I only had time to wander in the kitchen garden. Still, there was lots to see for October and it didn’t rain until I went back inside (after having a conversation with the geese).
Heading for the walled garden
One of the little turret corners
Mixed borders
They had beans for sale but I’m not a fan of runners!
Handsome rhubarb forcing pots
They make a rose wine with these and the green grapes they grow
Herbs, vines and hedges
Looking back towards the grounds
The stable blocks . . .
. . . that now house the main shop, restaurant, and second hand book room. Twice a year the Mid Devon Craft Guild have a fair in the room on the left for two weeks, thats where my friend and I spent the day.
Knightshayes Court is a Victorian Country house owned by the National Trust. The house is beautifully decorated, I don’t know if I will be able to take photos, but I’ll go back in spring to see it again as well as the main garden which has more than 1200 plant species.
After many years of visiting National Trust properties I have finally become a member so for the next year I’ll be featuring the places I enjoy.
related posts
https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/bucklands-newest-old-treasure/
https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/a-killerton-evening/
https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/an-easter-day-out-saltram-house-devon/
https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/a-killerton-evening/
https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/bucklands-small-treasures/
https://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/agathas-greenway/
What could possibly come between asked Christine, commenting on my post yesterday. So, so many things but I’ll try not to overload you all!
The people who discovered this valley by the sea were none other than the D’Oyly-Carte’s, best known for their company that staged Gilbert and Sullian operas and as owners of the Savoy hotel.It was Rupert and his wife Lady Dorothy that built Coleton and planted its beautiful gardens with a mix of rare and exotic plants that wouldn’t usually grow in our English climate.
The house has a stunning art deco interior – sadly photos were not permitted inside the house, but it was gracious, elegant living at its best. A family home in the country with ample space for house guests, each room had a view over the gardens and some of the sea beyond.
Here are some of the vistas and peep betweens that have evolved.
The D’Oyly-Carte’s had two children, Michael who died in a car accident at twenty-one in 1932 and a daughter, Bridget. In 1941, Rupert divorced Dorothy and Bridget took over the house. Dorothy moved to the Bahamas with her new man and Rupert continued to visit the house at weekends until his death in 1948.
The dream ended, Bridget sold the house after her father’s death and a number of years in private ownership, it became a National Trust property in 1982.
So, we can all see it, we can stroll along the paths, gaze out to sea and enjoy the wonderful garden, surely one of the best in the country.
Here are some of the plants, holding up well in mid October.
I hope you enjoyed my day out at Coleton Fishacre, I’ll be going back in the spring to see what’s blooming and for another nice lunch and cake break.
Imagine yourself ninety years ago. You find yourself sailing past one of the loveliest parts of England, an unspoilt valley by the sea in Devon. You decide you have to buy it and have the architect Oswald Milne design your perfect country house.
The house was built so that all the main rooms faced south and once it was complete Milne, who was Sir Edward Lutyens assistant designed the hard landscape.
The stone was quarried on the land and the landscaping even included channeling a stream through a rill, damming to form pools before it returned to its natural state in the lower slopes of the valley.
Stand and enjoy the view,
your own private beach lies below.
and all the while your paradise is being planted with a sheltering belt of Monterey pine and holm oak that will eventually create a micro climate.
One day your paradise will be filled with fragrant and exotic plants, flowers so colourful that everyone will want to see it.
Tomorrow perhaps I’ll show YOU how it turned out.
I spent the day exploring with a friend today and turning right too soon led us to Galmpton Creek, sleepy on a Saturday but a nice diversion. It’s on the river Dart and Dittisham can be seen in the distance.
The last stop was at Shaldon beside the river Teign estuary, more boats and a lovely evening light.
Tomorrow I’ll try to show you the space between!
Lucid Gypsy 