A Visit to Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Farringford Gardens.

Now the summer holidays are over and the island is quieter it is a good time to start exploring again.  I hadn't been to Farringford Gardens (Tennyson's Garden & House) before, although Mum and Dad had.  

As you walk in you are greeted by this saying...what a sweet sentiment.

The grand house that was the home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson from 1853 until his death in 1892.  What a wonderful retreat from indeed from the clamour of his London life.  The house isn't open at the moment but it has been fully restored to its former glory and we can't wait until we can go and see inside it.  In the meantime you can enjoy the lovingly restored gardens and grounds.

The obligatory photo at the entrance of the house.

Huge windows.

Now for the gardens.

Pretty flowers.

Magnificent beans...I was very tempted to pick these...I sure hope they don't go to waste!

Wandering around the gardens on a lovely warm afternoon.

Gourds

Of all sorts of shapes and colours.

There were several of these little poems around the gardens.

Of course who can resist climbing on an old log?

Such fun.

A strolling I go through the copse...

Until we come to Tennyson's bridge - a replica of the original which was used as an escape route for the poet onto the Down when unwanted visitors arrived!  ha ha.

Looking down the path that runs under the bridge

Time for a sit down on this lovely carved bench.

More gourds

Another poem.

Beautiful dahlias.

What a simply beautiful place to visit on a lovely quiet Saturday afternoon.  It was bliss.

 

Cornwall Holiday 2016 - Caerhays Castle Gardens.

Warning photo heavy post...you might want to get some sustenance, tea, coffee and of course cake, before you start!

The last place we visited while in Cornwall was Caerhays Castle Gardens situated on Cornwall's south coast between Mevagissey and St Mawes.  We are not sure if we went the 'right' way to get there as ended up on some VERY narrow windy roads...but get there in the end we did, although there were some let us say 'stressy' moments by the driver!

These beautiful 140 acre gardens are in a lovely sheltered valley which overlooks Porthluney Beach.

We were lucky to see them when we did as it was their last day of opening for the season - they open early in February to show off all the amazing magnolia and other such plants at their best.  They hold a NCCPG National Magnolia and Podocarpus Collection and are the orignal home of the world famous x williamsii camellias. They still have many of the original plants collected in China by intrepid plant hunters in the early 1900s.  The castle has been owned by the Williams family for 153 years!  It must look absolutely spectacular when all the blooms are out.

The grand entrance.

The castle from the driveway on the way up.

Imagine living here!

Map of the gardens.

Some trees were heavily pruned back...

This picture doesn't quite show the flowers off to their full advantage, but from the distance they looked quite curious.

Close up

Lots of plants were clearly labelled.

A white rhododendron was still in flower.

Labels had information of when  they were collected or discovered which was fascinating.

A few magnolias also had flowers.

Red rhododendron.

A camellia 

The view from higher up the valley

Stunning scenery.

Looking down the valley to the entrance.

Looking back up to the castle.

The Sailor and his Dad, and Percy - who seemed to take delight in refusing to face the camera!

Finally - here we are!

Which way shall we go?  This way?

Or this way?  Peggy Sue seems to be quite oblivious to the question!

Another photo of the boys and the dog with his 'best view' facing!

We have a rest.

Bumble bee - guess that is obvious really!

Enjoying the sun.

This was a big Monkey Puzzle tree.

More stunning scenery.

On the way back down to the beach.

Yeah, sand and sea!

We look out to sea.  Can you see anything Peggy Sue?

I climb some rocks

Great fun.

I sit and ponder...

Just love the sea.

Percy Chihuahua didn't like the sea...he said he did not approve of water!

This was about the closest Percy got to the water!

Showing his 'best side' again

Finally he faces the front.

Peggy Sue and I enjoy sitting on the beach for a while

Our toes in the sand

Bliss.

I wonder if I will be allowed to go for a swim?

The answer was no yet again, so I watch the waves coming in.

Oh how I wish to live beside the sea.