Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall has been on my wish list for so long. I've heard so much about it and seen so many beautiful photographs that I couldn't wait discovering it myself. I'm very much a person who loves grey skies and rain. And that is exactly how I've always imagined Derbyshire. Except that, this Summer, well this is a real Summer with lots of sunshine and heat. And burnt out colours. Even in Derbyshire.
When I was commissioned to shoot a garden nearby, I jumped with happiness as I could finally make plans to see this unique Tudor country house. I got there just in time to catch the last of the roses.
I went straight to the chapel (maybe unconsciously looking for a cool place?) that was one of the most beautiful places I have ever-ever seen. I was completely mesmerized by the 15th century wall paintings but it's more than impossible to describe so look..
I did have a good look around the whole house. As I mentioned (maybe hundred times) how hot it was, the windows were all open and as you walked by the perfume of the roses just hit you. I must go back. When it's cooler and when the light is better for taking photographs (as you're more than welcome do to so, at Haddon Hall).
Rousham
“Rousham is restful, spacious, time-worn and beautifully paced. Whatever season you visit, the garden always reveals something afresh. It is a magical landscape, an exercise in restraint and classical narrative, where anything seems possible. It has been hugely influential.”
Reading this, by Dan Pearson, how could I possibly write anything about this beautifully paced garden, an example of the early English landscape garden. As I write landscape garden, I even feel a bit ashamed too as I spent quite a lot of time admiring the foxgloves around the dovecote. These were most certainly not planted by William Kent. But then I did take a big walk around the garden, down by the River Cherwell, around the ponds and cascades, the Cold Bath or the seven arched Praeneste. Rousham must be seen. And felt. It is a very powerful place, you’ll see.
Orchard Dene
I haven’t posted here for a long time and I so wanted to add so much but then everything just happened and time was not on my side and all that but now, here I am. With images of Orchard Dene Nurseries.
I first heard about them during a Chelsea Flower Show week years ago and then I found out they were just down the road. But wholesale. So I’ve never been there until this week when my biggest luck sent me there. Long story short, I picked up an order for someone special and I got to have a look around this perennial heaven. Here’s what I saw..
The most close-to-nature nursery I’ve ever been to. And the choice plants is just amazing. And very close to my heart. So voilà. The visit to this nursery was one of my lucky treats for this week.
Snow in March
And so there was snow. Beautiful snow. We didn’t get as much as Scotland did, but I was really happy with ours too. I enjoyed it a lot, enjoyed seeing the garden, the snowdrops and hellebores disappearing under the snow and I enjoyed taking long and cold walks with Henry. And I managed to go up to Turville, just before it all disappeared, to admire this quintessential little village under - a bit of a - snow.
Chelsea Phsyic Garden
I only had a few minutes to look around the gardens before I had a meeting there last Friday. Almost missed the last of the snowdrops but caught the first blossoms. Beautifully hidden behind its walls in Chelsea, this garden is a little piece of heaven in London.
Pre Christmas walk
Today we met up with my friend Justine and her wonderful dog, Stanley. I emphasize wonderful as not long after we started our walk, Henry decided he wanted to explore the deep, unknown woods and off he went. I got a bit worried and I knew the more you call him the deafer he becomes. But there was Stanley. He understood my worrying face and voice and he ran after Henry and found him and brought him back! Wee pals.
After the incident, we all enjoyed the rest of the walk and Henry wasn’t always on the leash, he had some good runs with Stanley and other dogs. Then back on the leash through big woods. And to the church for a cup of tea and mince pies. The church of Pishill couldn’t be more picturesque and tranquil. It overlooks the beautiful Stonor valley and you only hear the birds sing. And what’s more, you can enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) there, just make sure you clean the mugs after you leave. Very British, isn’t it? So yes, it was another beautiful day..
Great Milton and Le Manoir
I love Winter. I especially love very cold days when it’s dry and the sun is shining. This is how last Saturday was. And as our friend stayed, we went for a walk in Great Milton, a village near us. This pretty village is famous for Raymond Blanc’s Manoir. We didn’t go in for a nice cup of tea, no, but we decided to walk around the gardens. Even in the depth of Winter, the gardens were full of beauty and inspiration.
The village itself is quite quintessentially English, thatched roofs, cosy cottages and hollyhock still flowering. And because until just a week ago it was very mild, there were many signs of Spring with cow parsley, snowdrops and daffodils showing off their greens. When Spring is back, I’ll be back too.
All photos taken by my iPhone.
Stourhead
On my way home from a photoshoot in Somerset, it would have been a shame to miss Stourhead. I was so very tired, I even left all my camera stuff in the car (which I never do but I thought a National Trust parking can only be safe) Anyway, showers and sunshine and miles of beauty - here’s Stourhead for you.
