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

Bill Bailey comes home

Just got back from his Qualmpeddler show in Bristol - sort of a belated Marion Bday n Dadsday pressie - This guy is so talented!

“He’s a genius, full stop. Calling this Swiftian satirist, versatile multi-instrumentalist and gifted actor merely a comic genius is like calling Michelangelo a house painter.”

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN

Had a great pre show international buffet at FlavourZ just up from the Hippodrome, if your that way its worth a punt.

Spring is sprung

... the grass is ris  :))

Sandwell Barn, Weston Hall and Atcombe Court

Tucked away off the A40 is this little gem. Sandwell Barn was a Victorian kitchen garden which has developed into a 2 1/2 acre garden ...

It has some features in common with Weston Hall, at the Ross end of the A40, but Weston has the Wisteria and the folly.

and to complete the trilogy the amazing Atcombe Court with its backdrop of the Stroud valley. A full 12 acres to roam including a woodland walk and terraces around a C17 extended house.

Charingworth Court, Winchcombe

Over the last hundred years, the house at Charingworth has been through different owners and eventually fell into disrepair in the 1980s. It was almost lost as a result of widespread rot and stood empty for several years, its future in the balance, but creative use of planning gain saw the old house made sound.

The picturesque garden was host to a sculpture show as part of the Winchcombe Art Trail.

Garden Visits

Eastcombe, Bussage and Brownhill Gardens are an annual favourite of ours. Atop a Stroud valley some of the climbs are steep but the views and the gardens make it all worthwhile.









as does the tea n cakes at the village hall :-p



The following day we made our first ever visit to LIttle Malvern Court. Passed it on the road a few times but never been in. Enchanting. A brilliant sunny day the ten acre site was cloaked in white blossoms. The architecture of the buildings is an interesting historical conglomerate, based on a former Benedictine priory, that blends in well with the lakeside walks, topiary hedging against the amazing backdrop of the Malverns.

and, of course, the now mandatory ...