An English Country Garden in June

Earlier this month we visited with family.  It is always a pleasure to tour the in-laws garden.  Grandpa is a very keen gardener and volunteers for the National Trust at Waddesdon Manor.  His garden is a huge passion and this is evident in his visual display.

He has an efficient, functional yet pretty allotment area...

Beautiful cottage borders...

...intermixed with willow sculptures...

...and sheltered seating...

The pond is delightful and you can pass many happy moments just staring into space, watching the fish or just crocheting in the sunshine...

 
The wisteria was in full floral display and was absolutely stunning.

Set against the backdrop of the weathered wood it looked glorious - a complete contrast.

I really enjoy spending time in this garden as do the children.  They think it is enormous and THE best place to play hide and seek.  On this visit they also enjoyed making birds homes - weaving reeds and eucalyptus leaves into circular shapes before adding a few seeds and nuts for the birds to encourage them to visit their birdie hotels.  I've written a post previously about this lovely garden so please do check this out if you're interested.

Happy times indeed.  And this was where I sat for most of one day, relaxing, crocheting, chatting and taking in the general splendour.

I have so many bloggy updates to share - I always seem to run behind at this time of year but I do so hope to catch up with a few soon.  I have my Coastal Target Square Ta Dah post, April Pretty Me challenge Ta Dah plus the sand sculpture festival to share and so much more so please do watch this space during my endeavour to catch up before the Summer Holidays strike (I can't wait!!!)

Health wise things are a bit tough at present.  I'm back on the steroids (having only managed two weeks off them).  My Lupus is really active at present and the Sjrogren's Syndrome has been affecting my sight which has been quite frightening.  I had a steroid injection into my left shoulder joint yesterday and am restricted to bed again today.  I confess the downturn so quickly after a slight improvement has me feeling a little downcast.  However, it's nearly the weekend and after a good 10 days not logging on to my cronky laptop I'm looking forward to catching up on some of your lovely Blogs!!!  I apologise if I'm a silent reader at present.  I take such pleasure from sharing snippets of your world and crafty endeavours so thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind comments of support here and for your warm posts on your bit of Cyberland.

Take care for now, 

J9 x 

Waddesdon Plant Centre Beauty

Last month we made a family visit to Buckinghamshire, we spent some lovely relaxing time at Waddesdon Plant Centre.  It's a long time favourite haunt of mine, to while away a couple of hours... to drink up beautiful displays and maybe a coffee or two.

I simply had to blog about it - pastel loveliness to feast your eyes on...

...tasteful decor to die for...and a gorgeous coffee shop selling tasty 'homemade' goods


 

 

Plenty of little vistas of decor that inspire -

...and that I aspire to.

R treated Bop Bop (her favourite bunny) to sit at the table - apparently she really enjoyed the water!





Little man enjoyed the trip too ;0)

I especially loved the 'green' roof on this little shed and the chimney pot style planting surrounding it.  Wouldn't it look gorgeous in a little court yard garden?

 

If you're in the area it's well worth a mooch.  Although the upcycled goods are a little pricey for my budget, I do so love the way it is styled. 

For the able bodied, there is a lovely route to climb up through the grounds of Waddesdon Manor after your visit -  and for the less able - during summer a land train runs regularly.

I did purchase a type of pink hydrangea - I AdORE it - rarely to I get the wanties for plants but as soon as I saw these pink pastel beauties - I knew one had to come home with me!

We didn't make it to the Manor this time but left to spend extra time with our new niece.  Ooooo lots of loveliness!

Thanks for reading,
J9 x

Today I'm sharing with these fab parties:

A Favourite Thing Saturday

Pink Saturday

From the Farm Blog Hop Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Weekend Whatever

 

 

 



Yippee!! We have SNOW!

Yes, the inner child in me is doing somersaults!  Having grown up in Cornwall I can only recall two experiences of a decent amount of snow fall in my childhood.  Now we live a bit further up the SW 'leg' of England - close to Wales, we are sometimes 'lucky' enough to have a scattering.

Yesterday, warnings of hazardous conditions ( I do smile when England grinds to a hault with a bit of snow!) meant that no-one was able to leave our home for work or school. 

 

YIPPEE!  I had a bonus day of my family being at home and a good splattering of at least 20cm depth of snow!

We did short bursts of snow fun,

Throwing snow balls - ducking and dodging round the garden

 

 

...only then to come in and warm by the fire with hot chocolate.

Snowmen were designed and fashioned from the powdery stuff.  Billy struggles that bit more than his big sis in the snow.  He feels cold and wet more quickly and gets frustrated when the snow doesn't form his snowman face how he wants it to.  Bless him. 

With a little help Mr Snowman took shape...

Ruby had to have a quick trouser change as she just couldn't bend down easily enough in her first pair to sculpt her snowman exactly how she wanted to!! 

Then we went stomping through the snow on the newly purchased sled.  Major brownie points for Me who got it on Wednesday when we were warned the snow may come.  Essential milk, bread and chocolate were purchased and then the trek back up hill... to home.



 

So at present the snow is an exiting novelty in our little lives.  We will enjoy it, play in it.... and in a couple of days wish it to go! 

Hope you are all managing to keep warm and having some childish fun this weekend!
J9 x

Today I'm partying with

A Favourite Thing Friday

Simple & Sweet Fridays

Here comes the sun...

The journey up the M5 took us to Buckinghamshire and to Grandma & Grandpa's house.  This holds magic in many ways for R & B but one, is that they have a magical garden and they have the opportunity to play in it.  It is a beautiful garden and the focus of many hours work, dedication and enjoyment. 

From the wilderness:

To the productive veg patch:



To a haven made for hide and seek:

It is known that the garden has fairies hiding amongst the undergrowth and colourful fish in the murky waters. 

It is on a scale that to a child seems perfect - not too large to feel intimidating and fearful but big enough to run and hide and feel space all around you with lots of hidy holes ideal for little people.

And with our trip across the width of England, the meeting of Uncles, Aunties and cousins is enthused over.  Running, laughing, playing - badminton, football, frisbe, skipping, roller skating, scooting, catch, bubbles - endless possibilities for joy.

The garden has been transformed over time from a stretch of grass to wonderful extravaganza of floral explosions

and pond with ginormous gunnera that seem like plants from another time. 

Non stop outdoor activity for 3 days.  Complete LuSHness...... and wonderful weather and food to boot.  A fabulous way to start the summer holidays.