Midsummer Meanderings

In the words of Elvis Costello "It's been a good year for the roses"

Berrys Place Farm near Churcham in Gloucestershire is a country garden, surrounded by farmland and old orchards and contains lawns and large sweeping mixed herbaceous borders with over 100 roses.

In the middle of a clement day the heavens suddenly opened so we took refuge in their potting shed

The rose theme continued into the next day with a couple of hillside gardens in Nailsworth near Stroud. Architecturally the first house was superb. Built on the base of two derelict houses its curved lines and terraced gardens were a treat.

and the scent of roses in the valley seemed to rise and create an atmosphere of softly scented summer rose all along the ridge.

and the weekend topped off by Andy Murray, playing superb tennis, winning Queens for a fourth time - can he repeat this at Wimbledon ?

Return to Stanton Village Gardens

This picturesque Cotswold village had around 15 gardens open. Many Cotswold stone houses border the street with long gardens behind, hidden from general view.

Couldn't quite decide which one to have :)

The centrepiece of the village is Stanton Court with St Michaels and All Saints Church as a backdrop. The early Saxon church was served by the monks of Winchcombe Benedictine Abbey. The Manor, tithes and patronage of Stanton was bestowed on the Abbey by Kenulf, King of Mercia in 822. The Abbey itself was destroyed by fire in 1151. Between 1700 and 1765 the Methodist preachers Charles and John Wesley were frequent visitors, friends of the then Rectors Lionel and Robert Kirkham.

It was indeed a sunny and colourful day with a sizeable turnout for some good causes:

Blackpool Illuminasia

Made of miles of silk and thousands of light bulbs this amazing spectacular is well worth a visit - 2D photos hardly do it justice:

Sis and I also spent some time amongst the rich and infamous - how many can you spot :)

But too much time in Blackpool can take its toll!