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!

A Dr Who of a Day

Bank Holiday Monday was the last part of Marilyns birthday pressie from last year - the Dr Who concert in Cardiff - where we met this little fella in the Castle Park:








The lengthy queues to get in testament to its enduring popularity - and the show didn't disappoint.

The music, provided by the BBC Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, the exceptional soloist Elin Manham Thomas (with the voice of an Ood) the lighting and staging were all exceptional. The show just flew by.

They reprised all of the Doctors 

and their time travelling friends 





on three mega screens and many of the aliens came to life on stage and around the auditorium. 

The show was presented by Peter Davison (doesn't look like this any more :) - the 5th Doctor - 









but the volume from the audience showed David Tennant to be the most popular incarnation.

Tall Ships 2015 Arrive in Gloucester

Crowds gathered on both banks of the Sharpness Canal as the first of the Tall Ships sailed under the raised road bridge and into Gloucester Quays for the start of a three day celebration of these grand old sailing vessels:

Hellens at Much Marcle

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book the gardens at Hellens in Much Marcle is a site of great historical, archeological, and scientific interest (SSSI). In spring the woods are full of wild flowers - daffodils,orchids,anemones,and bluebells. There are also small-leafed lime and wild service trees in the wood, which invariable suggest very ancient woodland.

It has an unusual herb collection, containing viagra substitutes and poisons, arranged afront of a large brick built C17 octagonal dovecot.

labyrinth with an interesting centrepiece 

Amongst other items of interest were:

large fungi

willow ball garden relaxer

Blooms and Bikers

River Barn, near Malmesbury, is a three and a half acre riverside garden set around part of a former model farm.

Within the garden were some interesting ornaments

 














and willow sculptures

On leaving, just down the path, was a footpath by the river which then cut off across the fields. Ready for a stretch of the legs we set off. Eventually we came to a side road that led us onto the Malmesbury to Wootton Basset road where we were met with a cacophony of engine roar and and hooters. The road was just packed with bikers. No exaggeration must have been a coupla miles long - took nearly half an hour to pass (much to the chagrin of those motorists stuck on the feeder roads). Apparently a young woman biker, Elizabeth Stevens was planning a sponsored 'Ride of Respect' past the war memorial in Wooton with a few friends for 'Help the Heroes'. It took off on social media and on the day around 10,000 bikers + 5,000 pillions turned up :-0 Police had to escort them in cohorts of 500 down the route. As I've always said you never know what your going to come across when you get out there in the open air ;)