Tag: Flowers

Signs of Spring

Posted on Posted in Old age, PoetryTagged , , , , 9 Comments

It’s been hard to go and take photos recently. Relentless rain and gales, flooded roads, high tides and fallen trees have kept the gypsy indoors. Yesterday lunchtime at work the sun came out, so I grabbed my coat and went to feel it on my face!

Even so, signs of spring were hard to find.

Signs of Spring

A thousand buds are waiting

to burst with golden pride

beneath tender hawthorn

it’s zenith months away

but first to bloom are snowdrops

a promise rising from the underworld

but now stop wait

don’t miss Mahonia’s fragrance

it will make your senses sway

This post is for Bastet’s ‘Signs of Spring’ challenge, perhaps you ‘d like to join in? http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/02/17/bastets-pixelventures-february-18th-2014/

Just Because . . .

Posted on Posted in England, Flowers, GardensTagged , , , , 21 Comments

Just because it’s been a long Monday at work

because it’s no longer January

because in twenty four days it will be March

because I’m not walking to and from work in the dark

because the days are getting longer

and that means spring

and that means summer

and that means the colour, form  and fragrance

of flowers and butterflies

bees and damselflies

and sunshine

because of all these things

I’m bringing you . . .

Pictures from a few years ago taken at a popular TV gardeners home plot, deep in the heart of Devon. I expect it’s changed since then, but it will still be lovely, relaxed and packed with variety. The clue is in the initials, if you visit she may even be there pottering.

Click for a bigger view.

Travel Theme: Delicate

Posted on Posted in England, Flowers, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , , , 16 Comments

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/

A Slice of Saturday at Coleton Fishacre

Posted on Posted in England, Gardens, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , , , , 17 Comments

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.

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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.

Rosemoor Roses

Posted on Posted in England, Gardens, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , 12 Comments

Rosemoor is famous for its spectacular rose garden and is much visited in June for that very reason. I didn’t make it this year, but today I visited to see what was in bloom and was thrilled to see that the roses are having a wonderful second flush.

Just is case you think I’ve captured a few isolated flowers, here are a couple of the beds.


Aren’t they beautiful? From the amount of buds, it looks like there will be a good display for at least a couple of weeks, so if you’re in the area, go and enjoy the fragrance and colour.