Pounding in to shore,
Wind whipping, shaping the waves.
Power, meet beauty!
Paula must have known that she was tempting me with this week’s theme. The weather played its part beautifully. I know that there are finer seascapes, but this one is mine- my north east of England coast.
Now, please go and be spellbound at Thursday’s Special.
I promised you a gentle stroll this week, far from the bustle of the city. Burton Agnes, in East Yorkshire, will deliver in spades. I can find you a bench or two to loiter on, and maybe a game of chess or snakes and ladders. Too taxing? You can do what I did, and simply stand and smile.
There’s much to smile about at this Elizabethan stately home. The elegant facade looks over a sweeping expanse of the Yorkshire wolds, but the owners have retained a sense of playfulness in the gardens. They are a joy to behold.
When I was there they were setting up a grand marquee for the July jazz event. The weather was steamy, as it rarely is in England, and the ice cream vendor was in full flow. Or should I say scoop?
You’ll know by now that I have a thing for water lilies and reflective surfaces. I could have played all day.
Gryphons, lions, statuary, all come as standard in these formal gardens.
But come on! We’ve mosaics and a rose garden yet to explore.
Can you see what lies beyond the rose arbour? Anyone for chess? Or draughts? Maybe the ladies would be better at snakes and ladders.
The rooms lead one to another, with tantalising glimpses of distraction. The reflections soon entrance me all over again.
The roses smell wonderful and I bury my nose deep into their luscious beauty.
‘I’ve found an elephant’, says the other half. Really? And a very endearing creature he is too.
It’s such a delightful garden, with so many aspects. Do you remember the wire mesh gardener tending his veg? He’s here too.
I believe there’s an Open Day for charity, so I can join Jude’s Garden Challenge this month. I expect she’ll be disappointed there’s no cake, but I have a good reason. This was the second garden we visited that day and we’d already eaten. It was quite a long way from home, but well worth the journey. I’ll show you the other garden soon. That was a water lily bonanza!
A closer look at these gardens and instructions on how to get there are on the website. I’m off to put the kettle on for breakfast.
Many thanks to all of you for being such loyal supporters. Every week I’m delighted by the contributions you make to my walks. If you’d like to join me and haven’t done so it’s easy enough. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. If I spot a good walk when I’m reading posts, I’ll simply ask if I can include it. We have some great ones again this week.
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Starting with some beautiful gardens from Lady Lee :
Cathy takes us to a stately home in the US, as well as it’s lovely garden :
Winterthur Museum, garden & library : a Delaware country estate
I’m discovering that Jackie is rather fond of history!
A hot, prickly walk from Ana. And keep an eye out for rattlers! Heavens!
The trail to Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park
Liesbet uses camping as a means to an end- ‘roaming about’, of course :
The Art of Being Flexible (and Realistic)
I always like something a bit different in my walks. How about this one? Thanks, Shazza!
A great one for the bird watchers from Denzil this week (paying attention Becky?) :
Het Zwin Nature Park on the Belgian Coast
This is a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and a very beautiful post from Maris Travels :
The Pyrenees are equally beautiful, especially if you’re with my good friend Drake :
Warsaw street life and a fantasy of umbrellas – it’s Meg, of course!
Vignettes from a morning walk-6
Meet newcomer to my walks, Stephanie and the crew of S.V. Cambria, with a bit of a mystery :
A Walk on the Wild Side/Downtown Ocean Falls
Yvette embraces summer with her usual enthusiasm, and beautiful Crepe Myrtle :
Street Shots (#summer2016 a to z Letter S) summer walk with Jo
Come and be nosy with Susan (and me) while we look over a few fences :
Some people keep on dangling serious temptation my way. You know who you are, Carol!
Becky and birds are synonymous, aren’t they? Even in Lymington, it seems :
Didn’t get very far because of the birdies
That’s it for another week. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did. Now, where can I take you next week? Take care till then.
Britain’s second largest city, Birmingham, stormed my senses from the moment I first saw it. Approaching by coach from the north, I gazed in horror at the piles of rubble and the cranes, skulking behind billboards. In these testing times, it felt not a little like the scene of a recent disaster. But I needn’t have worried. Apparently Birmingham is constantly reinventing itself, and I very much liked where my footsteps led me.
Frugality being one of my traits, I was staying a little off the beaten track. As I raised my camera to take a shot of some Lemonade Fizzballs in a shop window, I was unaware that I was colliding with the city’s industrial past. The Back to Backs on Hurst St. are all that is left of the cheap housing, swiftly erected to cope with the boom times of the Industrial Revolution. Every imaginable type of industry thrived in Birmingham at that time. James Watt, Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch, the luminaries in my lead photo, were pioneers and members of the Lunar Society- a melting-pot of scientific and industrial ideas. I hesitate to admit that ‘rag rugs’ are part of my childhood memories.
Directly opposite, ‘The Old Fox Theatre Bar’ gave me a warm welcome, as it waited for customers from The Hippodrome Theatre. The area adjoins Chinatown. Noodle bars galore and a feast of eating opportunities. The following morning was not quite so welcoming, and I returned to the city in a fine drizzle. Still, I had a smile on my face, for I was going to be Meeting Gilly. The couple of hours till her arrival time were not to be wasted, and I set off in a clockwise direction. The landmark buildings The Mailbox and The Cube were on my agenda.
Cheerful lanterns lit the path beneath the subway, then I dripped my way up The Mailbox steps. What a revelation!
The Mailbox is a combination of art gallery and shopping complex, within the structure of Brum’s old postal sorting office. I was in need of a little warmth and comfort, and the tulip-shaped chairs of the Bellini & Espresso Bar were pure invitation.
Just as I was settling in to a mouthful of luxury, the alarm bells began to ring and a stern voice announced that an investigation was taking place. Evacuation might soon be called for! Fortunately, nothing further occurred, but just for a moment…
All too soon I was back on the streets, if anything, even damper than before. Well, if I was going to be wet, I might as well head for the canals. Boats always boost my mood. As I turned the corner to The Cube, I glimpsed water. Closely followed by soggy boats and dripping padlocks!
You might recollect that this pub in Gas Street Basin is where, later, I ate with Gilly. The vegetarian menu looked promising, if a little damp! As I looked back at The Cube, I thought I saw just a hint of sunlight. Was I fooling myself?
Back under the subway, I headed along Navigation St. in the direction of New Street Station. This building had been beckoning to me for a closer look ever since my arrival in Birmingham. A futuristic train shape, from a distance it intrigued. Close quarters revealed a multitude of reflections.
And THEN my eyes lit up. Trams! A source of much childish delight for me. I studied their comings and goings for a few minutes, but it was almost time to go and meet my accomplice for the day. The skies had brightened at last as I headed towards the coach station. Just as I was consulting my map, looking for an elusive Mill Lane, a burst of sunny rain hit me. Up went the brolly again, and I hopped onto the steps of a small, friendly-looking police station. Seconds later, my phone rang. ‘Where are you?’ a smiling voice asked.
Now I don’t know quite why, but a little voice inside my head was singing ‘if you want to know the way, ask a policeman!’ Well, why not? In I went, and the police were every bit as friendly as their station looked. They insisted on going online to find Mill Lane for me. By the time they had done so, my ray of sunshine had arrived. Grinning from ear to ear.
Meeting Gilly tells the story of our day. Linking arms we set off, first in search of refreshment, and then in the general direction of Birmingham Library. A peep inside St. Martin in the Bullring was just enough to reveal the ravishing stained glass windows by local artist, Edward Burne-Jones. (Sorry- no photos allowed). Bypassing The Bullring, reincarnated in style, and on into New Street, where we both delighted to find old style shopping arcades with beautiful ceilings.
So much to love about Brum! By now I was starting to take the cranes and the billboards for granted. I could forgive much in a city with a library like this one. I wish I’d had time for the Secret Garden on the 7th floor and more than just a glimpse at the Shakespeare Memorial Room.
I guess what I’m saying is that 24 hours in Brum is not enough! I still need to know more about Brindley Place and the sensory clock. And we never did manage to fit in St. Philip’s Cathedral with it’s Burne-Jones stained glass masterpieces. Nor even try Fumo’s restaurant, recommended by my good friend Richard (A Bit of Culture) and the Rough Guide.
Get yourself a city map and take a walking tour. You won’t regret it! And now, for goodness sake, where’s the coffee?
Thank you so much everybody, for putting up with me and my rambles. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Birmingham with Gilly. If you have a walk you’d like to share, you can join me anytime. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page, or just click on the logo. And now the best bit- some wonderful shares!
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First past the post again this week! Drake’s lovely ‘home’ island :
I missed one last week so humble apologies to Liesbet in Massachusetts :
(Super)Natural Wonders around us
Becky made me smile with some wonderful memories of Lisbon (and a bit of humph-ing!)
It’s a Monday so it must be time for a walk
And from the Azores… be still my beating heart! Thanks, Susan :
Walking and Walking and Walking in Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Prepare for a lot of knowledge about the Hurons! Jackie’s on the case :
Something a little different from BiTi this week :
Let’s hike the Stanford Dish Loop Trail
And Geoff is ambling along a river bank, being smug. With Dog, of course!
Summer strolls#walking#suffolk
Violet Sky has found the nicest garden to match that nice town. Have a wander!
Cathy’s latest is huge! Check out the Orangery :
Philadelphia’s Longwood Gardens
Jaspa’s building up a sweat in among some beautiful Mayan ruins :
Climbing an Ancient Mayan Pyramid at Coba, Mexico
And cooling down by the water in a lovely Cornish village. Different, huh?
Boscastle Harbour, Cornwall, 12 years after the Floods
One of the loveliest walks it has ever been my privilege to feature. Meg, you’re a love!
Vignettes from a morning walk, 5
What a corker from Corey! Jude, you’ll love this one :
Westchester’s Hidden Gem : Untermyer Park and Gardens
Carol in Cairns! Has a good sound to it, don’t you think?
And an encore from Badfish! Only now he’s playing at Knight’s Templar in a sublime setting :
Another Side of Malta : Day One
Sorry if I’ve walked you to exhaustion this week. I promise to be kinder next Monday. Have a great week and take good care of yourselves.
P.S I just popped over to Monday Escapes and it reminded me to say ‘White Rabbit’!
Who do you know that’s crazy enough to sit on a coach for 8 hours in a day just to meet me? Why, Gilly, of course! My lovely Lucid Gypsy friend. She of the luscious poetry and the lust for life. Crazy, but so lovable! Warm-hearted, impulsive, prone to hugs and tears, yet a lady of very good taste. Didn’t she ‘follow’ me to Tavira, and like what she found there? (Just the right mix of shabby and chique) All this I knew, but not the lady herself. If you’ve never ‘met’ Gilly, you’re in for a treat.
Doesn’t that smile say it all? Of course, there were the charms of Birmingham on offer too. It’s not every day you’ll find charm and Birmingham in the same sentence, but I absolutely loved the city. Even though on arrival I thought I’d come to a demolition site!
It was Gilly’s suggestion to meet in ‘Brum’ (didn’t I say she was a lady of taste?). A ‘midway’ point between Hartlepool in north east England and Exeter in Devon. We actually managed 8 hours together, which in the circumstances wasn’t bad. A week might have been better. What did we actually do, you’ll be wanting to know? Talk! Laugh! Share stories. Exchange hugs. But not enough! Never enough hugs. I’ll give you a quick glimpse of our day.
It was raining gently when I got up, and this steadily increased to a deluge. But Gilly brought the sunshine with her. First stop, coffee, of course! No, don’t get over excited! Gilly had an Eccles cake to keep her going till lunch. Nothing more exotic, for now. I had booked us on to a guided walking tour (well, you know me!) at 1.30pm. So, after talking, and talking, we set off in the direction of the Library, for the start of the tour.
Not just any library, you understand. Birmingham Library is a monolithic yet beautiful structure, and I suspect we could have spent most of our day there. Built over 10 levels, with garden terraces on floors 3 and 7, with a Shakespeare Memorial Room in the Rotunda at the top. Need I say more?
Look- blue skies too! We raced back down from the 9th floor just in time to join Jonathan and Dawn from Positively Birmingham Walking Tours. Jonathan, a history buff, and Dawn his apprentice. I’ll spare you the details but it was quite useful for orientation. Our visit had coincided with graduation day for the Law students at the university, and as we headed into the ICC we were awash with gowns, mortar boards and excited faces.
For me, the best bit was Gas Street Basin and the narrowboats, and exchanging smiles and small asides with Gilly. The tour was to last 1-2 hours, but time together was precious for me and Gilly. And hunger pangs were setting in. Back at the Library we tacitly agreed to drop out, made our apologies and headed back to the canals. We sat outside the delightfully quirky Canalside Bar and let the world of water entertain us. And talked, around eating and drinking, of course!
All too soon it was time to head towards separation. I walked Gilly back in the direction of the Bull Ring and there we found a sunny seat outside Bill’s. Apparently also a favourite of Gilly’s down in Exeter. Bramble mojito was a very lovely way to round off our day. Gilly had Peach Bellini. Ah, bliss! I wonder when we can do it again?
For Gilly’s version of events, have a look at A Gypsy and a Restless One.
‘Girl you look so pretty to me, like you always did
Like the Spanish City to me, when we were kids…’
I don’t know for sure what holds me in thrall with those words from Dire Straits, but as I walk along the seafront at Whitley Bay they play over and over in my head. The Spanish City takes me back to my childhood, when it was a funfair. It all looks very different these days.
A £36million renovation plan is in operation to restore the Dome and create an attractive seafront promenade. Currently it still has a few rough edges, but progress is underway. Come with me, and we’ll do ‘the walk of life’?
If you look off into the distance you can dimly see one of the purposes of a walk along this shoreline. Remember St. Mary’s Lighthouse? She sits at the end of a causeway that attracts the crowds, whatever the weather. What are we waiting for? Let’s get down among the rock pools.
Did Meg say she was collecting feet? No, it’s no good! I need both to balance on these slippery rocks. Let’s hop back up on the promenade. There’s a skate park up ahead. The kids love those. The beach is full of dog walkers, and the odd warning sign.
I stop to read a sign about Tide Wrack and Rock Pipits. Apparently the latter feed on the insects, crustaceans and snails found among the seaweed and rocks. Conditions are so good here that visitors pop over from Scandinavia in the winter months. You’ll be pleased to know there’s no waste. Leftover seaweed is used to line the local pipit’s nests in spring. We’re much closer to the lighthouse now.
You can see already the numbers St. Mary’s attracts. It’s an overcast day, but warm by north east standards, and whole families have come to play in the rock pools. Not forgetting the dogs, of course. It’s essential though to keep a close eye on the tide times.
There is another attraction here, aside from the obvious charms of the lighthouse. St Mary’s Island is a grey seal haul-out- an area of land that the seals use regularly to rest and digest food. Seals come onto the rocks and, if undisturbed, will remain there until the tide floats them away. Grey seals are amongst the rarest in the world, and 40% of them live in UK waters.
Seals are normally solitary creatures, but they often haul-out in groups. At just 3 weeks old, a seal pup is independent. Many of the seals on St. Mary’s are youngsters, and it’s essential that they have time to restore their energy levels undisturbed, whilst learning to fend for themselves.
St. Mary’s do their best to educate about and protect the seals. I have to admit to a great fondness for this lighthouse, which was built on the site of an 11th century monastic chapel. The monks maintained a lantern to warn passing ships of the danger of the rocks. Sadly the current lighthouse no longer maintains this function, but it’s still a very welcoming space. A variety of activities take place here, including Fossil Frolics, Rock pool Rambles and even Extreme Rockpooling! Not quite that brave? How about the Lighthouse Bake Off party? Set Sunday, 2nd October, aside.
If you’d like to see inside the lighthouse, this post will take you to the top of the 137 stairs. Opening times and other useful details can be found on the website. (including where to find cake, naturally) Which reminds me- time to put the kettle on!
Thank you once again for your generous support. I have heaps of great walks to share again this week. Impossible to pick a favourite. If you have one you think I might like, why not join in? Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.
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Ice Age! That’s a wonderfully cool image after the hot weather we’ve been having in the UK. Thanks, Drake!
Caught between a rock and a hard place with Anabel?
Jackie’s on a mission to find the post office museum in Toronto :
Return to Sender- Address Unknown
Welcome back Violet Sky, and nice to meet you Big Bruce!
Wine anybody? It’s totally taken for granted in pretty French villages is :
Ruth is taking us for an adventure with bears (or without!). Don’t miss her superb blog :
Sequoia National Park : Tokopah Falls
I do try to bring you an interesting mix of walks, and am delighted to invite Sartenada here, from Finland :
For those of you who prefer to ride to doing too much walking, Jaspa has the very thing :
The Funiculars of Valparaiso, Chile
My lovely mate Cathy’s not afraid of a bit of walking. And she has an eye for beauty :
Philadelphia Gardens : Chanticleer
More beauty, from NYC this time! Don’t you just love a meander?
Meandering through the Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Denzil’s taking it slowly too this week, after a back injury. But not too slow :
Bierbeek and Mollendaal Forest
I’m sure there must be a Dire Straits song to fit this one, but I really can’t think of it. Thanks, Susan!
More cruising, with Carol this time. I’m going to jump ship in the Whitsundays. Can you blame me?
All good things come to those who wait, right? Absolutely! Please welcome Madhu back :
An Amble through a Storied Park- Lodhi Gardens
Did you ever have a really, really good day? I just did! Badfish came to town. Loud fanfare!
Prague : Up Close and Personal
Many thanks for keeping me company again this week. I wrote this walk with my friend, Viv, in mind. I think it’s one she would have enjoyed. Have a great week, and take good care of yourselves.
Vivienne Frances Blake
1.12.1937- 5.7.2016
We met through Six Word Saturday, and so I thought it would best to say goodbye this way. I had no idea that, when I returned from the Algarve, the vital force that was Viv Blake had already departed this life. I posted my six words last week and waited for the response that inevitably came, but this time it didn’t. I can’t begin to describe the feeling that washed over me when I went to Viv in France to ‘tap her on the shoulder’, and found her daughter Sally’s message. It was an invitation to the funeral, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, this Wednesday.
I went, with not a little uncertainty. There I finally met warm and welcoming Jock, whose creativity Viv always celebrated on her blog. Abba played us in with ‘Thank you for the music’ and a very personal service began. Sally read ‘The poetry of every day’, chosen from the hundreds of poems written by Viv. I’ll share a snippet :
‘Agenda similar, routine unvaried
until I’m out there,
eyes everywhere
glorying in small shy hedgerow flowers
or exuberance of roses round cottage door… ‘
Just a fragment of the poetry that was Viv’s daily currency. She could conjure a poem for any given situation, and that included her own epitaph. Not morbid at all, she’d had her health issues and was impatient with the frailties they imposed (especially if ‘that quilt’ wouldn’t turn out quite the way it ought, by Viv’s high standards). It was read for her by close friend, Linda, who I know best as Tillybud. Handel’s ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’ and then an emotional performance of ‘Send in the Clouds’ by Judi Dench brought the lump to my throat. This is her resting place.
I met Viv only once, at Northumberlandia one bleak March day, but it’s a day I’ll never forget. Those bright eyes twinkled at me with a fierce intelligence, but a love of laughter and of life.
Viv was a constant support and encouragement around my blog. Though she lived the latter part of her life in France, she knew and loved so many of the places I’ve written about in the north east of England. Places like Hareshaw Linn and Middleton-in-Teesdale recalled fond memories for Viv.
I was in awe of her facility with words, and her desire to go on feeding her brain. Music, I knew, was one of the loves of her life. It wasn’t easy to write this but, as I did, what should be on TV last night? ‘Strictly at the BBC Proms’. Like myself, Viv was an enormous ‘Strictly’ fan. How Viv would have loved it! It seemed fitting to watch on her behalf.
God bless, Viv! RIP. Six words won’t be the same without you.
I found the most wonderfully old-fashioned garden at Burton Agnes the other week. It will be the subject of a future Monday walk, but I don’t want to get too repetitious. So, as the month is ticking by and I need to find some vegetables for Jude, I thought I’d give you a swift appetiser.
Everybody needs ‘a man that does’, don’t they? I played hide and seek with this one.
What was he planting? Oh, I don’t know- the odd brassica and such, I suppose. I thought I might write an ode to a brassica, purely because I like the sound of it. But then I thought I’d better find out what it is. Wikipedia can be so useful at times.
Not really my thing, veggies, but just wait until you see the ornamental gardens! For now I’ll leave you with some fully stuffed borders.
Jude can do so much better. Check out her Garden Challenge. Lovely word, ‘potager’, isn’t it?
Those of you who saw my Saturday post will know that it was much too hot to do any serious walking on holiday in the Algarve last week. English summertime is, however, the perfect time for gardens, and I visited a flurry of them before I went away. Perhaps you remember this young lady?
The last time you saw her she was upside down in the water, making a bid for freedom. I had almost forgotten my Water Nymph.
Newby Hall in Yorkshire was built in the 1690s, under the guidance of Christopher Wren. The 25 acre gardens feature Europe’s longest double herbaceous borders, and the National Collection of Cornus (dogwoods). Do you fancy a wander? If you get tired there’s a miniature steam train to toot and puff you around some of the grounds. But first, that lily pond. I can never walk past a water lily without pausing.
It was a lovely, somewhat hazy, summer day and too nice to be indoors. In case you’re wondering about the house, why not take a peek? It’s another English ancestral home with a mighty history. Robert Adam decorated the Tapestry Room and some of the interior. For me, I was happy to be in the grounds, with its gentle urns and statuary.
I hadn’t gone far when a sign caught my eye- Sylvia’s Garden. I thought at once of a certain lady in America, but Sylvia was the wife of Major Compton, whose family live in Newby Hall still. This garden was planted to be at its best in May, to coincide with York Races. It was late June.
A sequence of interconnecting garden rooms follow, which can be taken in any order. An alluring bloom or a fountain easily distracts me, and my eyes were on stalks when I saw the wonderful display of peonies, threaded through with star bursts of allium.
I was a little too early for the Rose Pergola and a little too late for the Laburnum Pergola, but the Cornus were in full, joy-packed bloom.
Apparently there are over 100 individual specimens of Cornus represented. I failed to collect the Cornus Trail booklet from the Entrance Pavilion, so I cannot elaborate further. Obviously, a black mark! But you can tell I enjoyed my wandering.
Suddenly I heard the blast of a whistle and I stood, holding my breath. With a rattle and a clank, the miniature Royal Scot steam locomotive clattered over the bridge in the Rock Garden and sped away. In time honoured fashion, I waved. Wouldn’t you?
I had no idea of the breadth and range of this garden. My previous visits had been accompanied by a small boy, whose chief interest had been the snorting beast that roared through the canyon. As I meandered on I came to the Woodland Garden. It was season’s end for the rhododendrons that I love, but how very poignant. Debbie, does this remind you of anything?
And I still haven’t taken you down to the river, via the herbaceous borders for which this garden is so rightly known. Burgeoning with delicious irises and yet more peonies! A toot and a bustle as the train scurries past again, disturbing the stillness.
Not far back to the Garden Restaurant from here, or you could pick up an icecream at the kiosk. Before departure I really must show you the Water Garden, and then you can simply subside with cake, or something more substantial.
I hope you’re not too weary? There really is so much to see in these gardens, and when I mention that there is also a Dollshouse Exhibition, Adventure Gardens with a water play area and even an exhibition of Teddy Bears, you’ll know that this is a good place to take the grandkids in these upcoming school holidays. Have a look at the website. There’s something for everyone.
Now I really must go and put that kettle on! I think I’ve earned it.
I really enjoyed my break, but I’m back with another great collection of walks to share. Thank you so much for your support. It wouldn’t be half so much fun without you. Join in at any time. I’m usually around. Click on the logo or visit Jo’s Monday walk page for details.
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Isn’t there something magical about Corsica? Certainly there is through Drake’s eyes :
Anabel’s castle is a whole different ball game. Check out these views!
Jackie supports Gay Rights with some great scenes in Toronto :
Liesbet cheats a tiny bit, but nobody said the walks had to be all uphill, did they?
Climbing Mount Greylock the easy way
How about a little shopping In Berlin? Lady Lee will be your escort :
Susan brings fragrance and a smile to our walks this week :
Walking along fields of lavender
Kathrin found something quite unusual and rather wonderful on her recent road trip :
Jude has a few chips to share. No, don’t all rush! Her OH has probably eaten them by now. Gravestones will have to do, but they’re not so tasty :
When Cathy’s not meandering in Myanmar she still likes to keep an eye on the oriental :
Philadelphia gardens : Shofuso Japanese house and garden
And while we’re in ‘Japan’, share a little beauty and serenity with Rommel :
Goshiki-numa, Five-colored Lakes in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
Fabulous, aren’t they? Have a great week everybody. I hear the temperatures have followed me here from the Algarve, but don’t worry- they’ll only last a day or so. Enjoy! See you next week. Don’t forget Monday Escapes if you have a minute or two.
Not long ago, Jude took us on a delightful tour of her new garden. It set me thinking, and these are some of the results.
Whenever I possibly can, I’m out in the garden for breakfast. Keeping a watchful eye and enjoying the serenity. I thought you might like to share it.
Jude, does this say Essence of Summer to you?
I’ve passed by Raby Castle many times on my way through the Durham Dales. The market town of Barnard Castle with its lovely riverside setting, 8 miles further west, is a favourite location of mine. Always I’ve had my nose pressed up against the car window. How many deer can I spot?
A sultry, sunny day in June seemed like a good time for closer observation. 250 acres of parkland surround Raby Castle, and herds of Red and Fallow deer roam free. I was desperate to park the car and run after the deer I could see, grazing beneath trees in the distance. But, no! Not a good idea. For one thing, May to July each year is the period in which calves are born, and it is vital to retain a healthy distance. Human contact can deter a mother from feeding her young, and there are warnings never to touch, even if the calf appears to have been abandoned. A watchful eye for strays is kept by the park rangers. So I looked for distraction, beyond a garden gate.
In my preoccupation with deer, I had entirely forgotten that Raby Castle has an 18th century walled garden. Totaling 5 acres, it retains many of its original features. The walls were built with locally handmade bricks, with a heating system of flues inserted. This enabled sub-tropical fruits like apricots to be grown. The White Ischia fig is a survivor from 1786, now in its own glass house. In addition there are two fine old yew hedges, and an ornamental pond, originally used to provide water for the kitchen garden.
An English garden in summertime. People wore bemused smiles. This was how it was supposed to be. A gentle, hazy warmth wrapped around buzzing borders, while Pan played softly on his pipe. And pouting cherubs looked on.
Paths lead around and through, and it’s a beguiling place to linger. Aloof violet iris nod regally at pristine white cornus, with just a smidgeon of pink tip. A blaze of azalea cocoon a garden bench. The castle and it’s deer park are forgotten, bar an odd tantalising glimpse.
For those of you who grumbled about misshapen scones in my Sutton Park post, now is probably a good time to pop into the tearooms. These are situated in the 18th century Coach House & Tack Room, and are themed rather nicely. I do like a scone!
Visiting the castle was by guided tour only. I would love to have shown you round, because it is as impressive a building as I have ever been in. Unfortunately photographs were not permitted. Out of respect for my very charming and knowledgable, old world guide Robert, I refrained from taking any. (I have been known to cheat just a little, even in Buckingham Palace) If you ever visit I do urge you to take the tour.
The Viking, King Canute, owned this estate in the 11th century. Raby derives from the Danish, ‘ra’ being a boundary and ‘bi’ a settlement. Since then the Nevill family, one of the most powerful families in the north of England, has been responsible for building and adding to the castle. For almost 400 years the Nevills held sway, but involvment in the ‘Rising of the North’ in support of Mary Queen of Scots was to be their undoing. Charles Nevill, 6th and last Earl, fled to Holland where he died in poverty in 1601.
If the history interests you, much more can be found on the castle website. There’s still a little walking to be done. According to the leaflet, a stroll from the castle around High and Low Ponds takes about an hour. I would suggest much less, unless you take a picnic.
Have you seen any deer yet? Look over there in the distance. We’ll approach very carefully. No sudden movements.
Oh, oh! They’ve seen us! Time to go, I think. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I know I have. Full details of how to get there and opening times are on the website. If you’re ever in the north east I can highly recommend it. Time for a cuppa?
Thank you everybody for keeping me company, and for the support. Yet again I have some superb walks to share with you. If you’d like to join in at any time, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. Let’s get reading!
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This post was a particular delight to me as I could picture myself there, a few years ago. Thanks, Laia! And Gilly- you’ll love it!
Barcelona from a local- pirates, cacti and a magic fountain
But my view from the Giralda tower was much damper than Debbie’s :
Complete contrast, and a special anniversary present for Lady Lee :
A Walk from Kranzbach to Elmau to Fernchensee Lake
Phoebe shares a secret in the South of France :
Secret paradise : a refreshing river walk
I love an Open Garden, be it in England or Scotland. Thanks, Anabel!
And Smidge’s post is everything you could want for in lovely Scottish views :
Grey Mare’s Tail and Loch Skeen
Or there’s always a spin on the common with Geoff and Dog :
Greenwich and Blackheath, contrasting space
You could even cheat with Jackie and ride on the bus!
If you don’t mind a few midges you could go camping with Liesbet :
A Weekend of Camping and Hiking in Vermont
Or why not follow Drake to somewhere that looks really idyllic?
Fancy a stroll through a City of the Dead? Not for everybody, perhaps, but Jaspa definitely enjoyed it :
Cementerio de la Recoleta, Buenos Aires
A rather more traditional walking tour with Nicole, this one is exactly my cup of tea :
A Walking Tour of Prague : Old Town Square
That’s it for another week. Again, my thanks to all, and I hope you have a great week ahead. See you soon!
restlessjo 
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