Carlisle Capers

Just back from the, unusually warm, north visiting Sis. There was much gardening and fencing (not the epee/foil sort :) But there was time to fit in a number of garden visits ...

High Head Sculpture Park
Located just outside Penrith this sculpture trail, featuring the works of local artist Jonathan Stamper, is a popular venue for Cumbrian contemporary artist to display their works. Still some work in progress there are hillside trails and a river runs through it. There are unusual sculptures and a life size stone circle. High Head also boasts a health spa, holiday cottages and an accessible cafe (try the pumpkin soup - amazing!)

Castle Kennedy

Castle Kennedy is part of the Stair estate containing Lochinch Castle, the remains of Castle Kennedy, both the White and Black Lochs, very large monkey puzzles n wild rhubarb and perhaps the most stunning lilly pond covering what seems like quarter of an acre.

 Glenwhan Gardens

Situated on a hilltop in Dunragit it is, perhaps, one of Scotlands newest - yet expansive and picturesque - gardens and heathland walks. 300 feet above sea level it overlooks Luce Bay, the Mull of Galoway and, on a clear day, the Isle of Man. Due to the close proximity of the sea and the warming gulf stream a wide variety of plants flourish here. The garden is built around small lochans created by damming boggy areas of the site.

Fun n Sun sur mer

Just returned from a great break. You may remember from last years post our friends from back in Leicester days, Dave n Sue + mutual friends Garry n Marguerite uped stix and moved to France to a beautiful Atlantique coast village next t' sea. 






As well as the delights of French cuisine, and a memorable wine tasting session, there was culture and music abounding.

You may remember last year, as part of the music festival organised by the Communaute d'Aggiomeration Royan Atlantique,  we discovered the Rastrelli Cello Quartet . This year it was the turn of concert pianist Adam Laloum playing Schumann and Schubert quite effortlessly and with great panache. In contrast, at a jazz cafe in Royan, the string jazz trio Bruno Debord Swing Home Trio blew us away. 








For good measure there was also a trip to Cognac thrown in. After a trip round the picturesque historic town we choose to tour one of the smaller producers Cognac Otard. A sizable converted chateau with hundreds of barrels of aging cognac in perfect conditions. Strange fact, most of the walls of the cognac producers are coated in a thin black film. It is a very specific fungus, that does not harm humans or the brew, but lives only off the fumes of the cognac - our Sue reckons it would be good to be reincarnated as a cognac fungus :) Otard might be small but is very select - it's top of the range 'tear drop' ltr would set you back just under 3,800 euros!

 

 

There are so many beautiful places in the region. One that stands out especially for the streets of hollyhocks against sun bleached cottage walls, is Talmont sur Gironde and the Eglise Sante-Radegonde.

but all good things must end, so until the next time adieu

and bon chance