What to do when seeking inspiration?
For me, it usually means a trip to my photo files
On a recent visit to Durham, I decided to seek out Old Durham Gardens. I had known of the existence of these 350 year old gardens for a long time, but they’re a little off the beaten track. When I arrived, on a warm and sunny Wednesday morning, I discovered that the gardens only open between 2 and 4pm on Thursdays and Saturdays in Summer. After initial disappointment (and a peer through the gates), I discovered that there was more than enough to keep me happy from the outside.
Fragments of colour were everywhere
The old walls themselves are full of characterful whirls and sworls, causing the eye to drift from the gentle planting. The place has a past and the walls reflect that. In the 12th century this was a rectory. The walls were added in the 1700s to enable the cultivation of south facing fruit trees, and in the 1750s music concerts were held within. Glamorous times were ahead when the gardens were owned by an artist and icecream maker, Victor Mazzini Walton. The gardens were described in 1921 as having tennis courts, putting green, running track and a tea garden, and dances were held at weekends.
After the Second World War, Mr. Walton sold up and the gardens fell into decline. Happily, in 1985, Durham City Council purchased Old Durham and began a programme of restoration. When this lapsed, Friends of Old Durham was born and the gardens today are run by this group of volunteers.
After wandering the boundaries, it’s down the steps, and a gentle meander back to the river.
Always a source of inspiration!
I hope you enjoyed my Saturday amble. Next weekend I’ll be in Bristol for the Hot Air Balloon festival and I suspect I’ll be too busy to join you. I hope so, anyway!
Meantime, there’s Cate at Show My Face to visit with your six words. I was browsing my photos wondering what to show you today and looking for inspiration. I think I found it.
restlessjo 
That’s Inspiration in a lioely nutshell! I wanted to touch the Iris leaves; they were so transparent I felt like I was seeing the cellular structure.
I’m finding on my walks now that I sometimes decide ahead of time that I will seek individual plants, blooms or a single grass stem or I will be content to see the macro view. Possibly because I walk the same trails often and need to mix it up to keep them interesting. Establishing a different purpose at the outset has added some ‘awareness’ as well.
Can’t wait to see your posts after the balloon fest. Those are almost more color than one can take in. Have fun!
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Thanks, Sammy! I’m really excited about it. 🙂
I don’t much like repeating walks but it’s sometimes unavoidable. Camera in hand is always a help for me.
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What a lovely old wall, and the flowers are so beautiful. A very worthwhile amble, Jo. Looking forward to to your ‘Hot Air’ post. 🙂
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I’ll be full of it, Ad! I’m meeting Viveka too! Mega excitement 🙂
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What a treat! Thanks for sharing your through the fence views, they’re fantastic. 🙂
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Hi Lisa! How are you? Inside the wall there didn’t appear to be a lot to see other than some conical trees, but the surrounds were a lovely surprise. 🙂
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Hello, Jo! Things are great here, thanks for asking. 🙂 I hope you are having a wonderful summer and I can’t wait to see some photos from your next weekend adventure!
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Your photos so often point our attention to small beauties. That’s one of the benefits of photography, helping us appreciate details we may otherwise miss.
Good for you in finding the pleasure of your trip outside the gate. I like your positive attitude.
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It was part of a walk I did with Mick, Nicki, but I wanted to focus on the gardens. The whole garden had a very pleasing aspect. 🙂
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Wow. Love that wall and your pix of the flowers are jolting and soothing at the same time (how’s that happen?!) 🙂
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I must be cleverer than I thought I was, A! 🙂 So long as you’re happy, it’s fine.
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That was an enjoyable Saturday amble!
Six Words on a Lighthouse
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Happy to have you along 🙂
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Inspirierende Aufnahmen, gefallen mir sehr. 🙂
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Danke schone, Ernst! 🙂 🙂
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The English can really do gardens! 🙂 Wonderful pictures, Jo. Have a great weekend,
Pit
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Thanks a lot, Pit (and thanks for all your retweets too! It’s very kind. I like to promote a good post whenever I see one.) Happy Saturday to you!
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🙂
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What a wonderful place! I love the stone wall and that one last bloom is gorgeous! Hope you have a splendid time next weekend!
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It should be a lot of fun, Tonya! I’m going to see an old friend and meeting a blogger too. And then there’s those balloons! 🙂
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I don’t even own a camera, but I try to keep my eyes open. I’m always glad to stop by here.
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Don’t own a camera, Ron, but you’re hot stuff with a pen 🙂
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Love that Iris Jo!
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Cheers, Andrew! 🙂
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The shots against the stone wall seem to make the colour all the more spectacular!
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Hi Lynn 🙂 It’s a lovely old wall. With a bit more sunshine I could happily have sat there with a book.
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That’s sounds like a delightful way to pass time!
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The pics are fab, I especially love the detail in the wall and the stones used. Imagine if the garden was open, you might have missed this opportunity. x
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You’re probably right, Lizzie. I could see most of the inside through the gates and it was mostly conically shaped trees. 🙂
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Your photos always inspire me, Jo! These are beautiful!
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The garden was a nice find, Jill, even though it was closed. Thanks a lot for your company and support. 🙂
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piękne kwiaty !
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Tak! Dziękuje 🙂
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Jo, you do find the most wonderfully inspiring places. 🙂
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It always amazes me how many there are of them, Ann 🙂
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Lovely impressions, Jo. Seeking inspiration, I often choose your way and look through my photos. Wishing you a wonderful Saturday!
Dina & co x
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It’s a lovely trip down memory lane, Dina, and I often remember things I haven’t posted about- like this! 🙂 Thanks a lot! Wishing you and the ‘family’ a happy weekend 🙂
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Are those funny green things artichokes?
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That’s a good question! My gardener husband is in our garden fighting with a trough so I don’t have the expert on hand. I thought it was some kind of cactus but I’m probably way off mark. Our Jude will sort you out an answer 🙂 (incidentally, Mick just came in and said yes- a form of artichoke 🙂 )
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I had no idea but it kind of looked like that. I’ve only ever seen them on cooking shows on the TV!
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Love the photo of the irises against the wall 🙂
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They’re a lovely colour, aren’t they? 🙂 Thank you!
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Irises are commonly seen where I live, but the other flowers seem exotic to me.
Yes, these photos are inspiring!
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Thanks, Romi! That’s kind of you to say 🙂
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