Brockhampton Estate

Just the other side of Bromyard lies Brockhampton Estate. 

Lower Brockhampton is a timber-framed manor house dating back to the late 14th century. The house is surrounded by a moat and is entered via a timber-framed gatehouse, built circa 1530.

primarily a hunting lodge

WW1 kit

There are miles of walks through the park and woodland, featuring ancient trees, the picturesque Lawn Pool and various sculptures depicting parts of the history of Brockhampton and the local area.

inside the gatehouse

mini mobile sheep rearing workshop

traditional wood turning in practice

Ralph Court Gardens

This really was a hidden gem. 12 themed mini gardens, and cafe, in a three acre garden. The tour starts, appropriately enough, with a cup of tea beneath Phileas Fogg as he begins his around the world 'garden' tour.

The tour begins in the fantasy world of:


Alice in Wonderland

 and Wind in the Willows

You travel through:

Italy - with a focal point musical fountain

Japan

Africa

You can travel by pirate ship

round the dragon pool

Then on to the land of mythology

Jack in the Green - but beware, as I was not, so intent on getting a close up of this amazing effigy in fir cones, I failed to heed the warning - he doesn't just spit, I got drenched!!

Persius in the Medusa temple                        Triton calling the waves

and the amazing elves in their conifer forest

even the toilets were themed

All in all a magical mystery tour

So if you ever find yourself near Bromyard in Herefordshire it's well worth adding Ralph Court Gardens to your itinerary. 

Rock House

Rock House at Elberton, twix the M5 and the Severn Estuary, is a two acre garden and woodland with daffodils in profusion, hellebores, spring bulbs, cottage garden plants, roses, iris and many interesting varieties of trees, all around a substantial rural cottage.

 Also to be seen an apiary and, at the garden gate, to be purchased local honey supplied by the appropriately named Jeff Bee :)

Clevedon Refurbed

What a transformation. It was in the high teens n tee shirt weather last weekend so we took ourselves off to Cleveland. Its a wonderful small seaside town north of Weston with a marvellous Victorian Pier. Round the cove from the pier, just before the coastal footpath, was what used to be a large, beach side, open air sea swimming pool, It was a mess, it leaked and it was full of shopping trolleys and assorted detritus.

Well the town got together, got the funding, got a sponsor and completely renovated it and we just happened to pick the day of the grand opening. It now has a large clean swimming area and pontoon, sailing boat and kayak area and floaty balls you stuff kids in n float them off :) It was packed, great day for local traders n ice cream vendors!

Also renovated the dilapidated listed building, by the entrance to the pier, that had stood empty for years:

including spring blossom

Poets Walk, around the coast, has
much to offer

Zaha Adid

Just wanted to raise a toast to Zaha Adid as much for her ability to break through every glass ceiling placed in the way of her, and many professional womens, career path as for her unique and innovative designs - check these out https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hadid+architect&rlz=1C1CHZL_enGB679GB679&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=595&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiktp-IyfTLAhVFXRoKHSOODuUQiR4IhwE&dpr=1.5

Marawa al-Sabouni
one of a new generation of
inspirational women architects

Zaha Adid 1950 - 2016

Spring in the Scottish Borders

As the clocks went forward and we entered British Summertime 'twas a typical British Bank Holiday weatherwise - some sun interspersed with bucket loads of rain :-/ Still did provide some wonderful natural phenomenon - 

double rainbow over Jeans back garden

Easter Friday was by far the best day so took ourselves off up the Solway coast, through Dumfries and Galloway, firstly to the Logan Botanical Garden. Set at the south western tip of Scotland it benefits from the warming influence and mild conditions created by the Gulf Stream it hosts over 5,000 different trees, shrubs, herbs and bulbs.

rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolia were in full bloom here
yet elsewhere they are still in bud

yep, palm trees in Scotland :) centerpiece one of the oldest known trees
with only around 100 or so growing in the wild

amazing rebirth of giant wild rhubarb

Then onto Castle Kennedy Gardens, inspired by the 2nd Earl of Stair in the early 19th century. The gardens contain  terraces and land sculptures bounded on one side by the White Loch and on the other the Black Loch. Through the centre, leading from the castle ruin to the stately home is a 150 yo Monkey Puzzle Avenue.

entrance to the
walled garden

in season the pond is a carpet
of Victorian water lilies

Finished off the long weekend with a walk round Talkin Tarn, not far from Carlisle. Arrived in sunshine, got half way round and the heavens opened - we got drenched - then drove back through blue skies and sunshine again!

Ah yes - a typical British Bank Holiday !