Camellia Festival at Greenway House

It is a long and winding road to get to Greenway House, the holiday home of Agatha Christie. Don’t believe the Sat Nav as it takes you into a cul de sac in a village about 2 miles away. You must book your car parking space online or by telephone before you arrive or you won’t be let in – so already you know you are going to a very special place.

It is all worth it – just LOOK! this is the view from the car park!

And further along the tarmac drive you see more of the River Dart

I was lucky enough to be there on a gloriously sunny Spring Day – they have been precious and few! (As I write this post there is rain, wind, cold and sleet, beating against my window – I neeeeed this post to cheer me up!)

In front of the house,  the enormous magnolias took my breath away!

Below is the view from the front door – imagine waking up to this on a sunny spring morning!

and looking up from a path that leads down to the Camellia Garden

The gardens in general are completely splendiferously, romantically, beautifully gorgeous! But I have to say the area described as the Camellia Garden is a little underwhelming – beautiful blooms had to be searched for and the arbour has definitely seen better days

everywhere there are beautiful views of the River Dart – shimmering in the sunlight

Click on any photo to see it full screen.

I would have taken all day to record the names of all the Camellias but in my mind I could hear Cathy of Rambling in the Garden asking me the names and so I recorded my favourites

and

 

This one is Marjorie Davis

I hope this post has conveyed some of the beauty of the gardens ….. there is more to come.

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Saturday Shells

 

On Tuesday I found these shell people at Greenway House, the holiday home of Agatha Christie – oh what a delight that place is – if you ever get a chance to visit GO!

These were in the Morning Room along with other vintage shell designs

The lighting is kept low, so it was not easy to get good photos.

Such exquisite pieces of shell art

Agatha Christie spent 8 weeks of the year in this house on the banks of the River Dart.

The garden is glorious, the camelias and magnolias stunning – I have more photos to share with you

lots more!

Click on any photo to see it full screen.

Linking with Cee’s Flower of the Day

 

More from Doreen’s Garden

When you enter Doreen’s world it is like entering wonderland, with a fabulous mixture of caring touches

surreal sculptures

(in March)

and a poignant little row of memories

The sculpture of the children climbing always draws my attention

I love the way the lichen decorates the surface (you might remember I’m a great fan of lichen)

It came as no great surprise to see a man who appeared to be walking on the roof 

he was in fact working in the garden behind

(can you see that little white model of a dog’s bottom up in the air as if digging in the lawn)

and then to come across these shoes sunning themselves on a bench

They belonged to Doreen’s very own Mr Mcgregor who was clipping the evergreens

The house looked like this in March

and the garden

What a transformation takes place during the year

I discovered these two brief videos taken in August 2016.

 

I hope to return in April or May one year to see the flourish of Spring.

Maybe I’ll stay in her Garden studio – a link here to see more about it.

Now I’m off to be a ‘bit more Doreen’ and sort out the containers of bulbs in my garden.

Doreen’s Garden in September

Last weekend I was in beautiful Branscombe, Devon, England.

As usual I had to make my pilgrimage up the hill to Doreen’s Garden and this time I was lucky enough to meet the delightfully sprightly 84 year old. She is originally from Liverpool and has lived in this cottage for 34 years.

She gives me hope for the future!

Click on any photo to see it larger.

We had a lovely long chat and she showed me the best viewing points for photos .. Here

and then the view to the church

Doreen has a box for donations to support the Devon Air Ambulance and so far she has collected over £7,000!

You can even stay in her garden in this delightful self-catering little unit

what a sunny spot!

We talked about her magnificent dahlias

She doesn’t lift them but cuts them right back to the ground and mulches them.

I do not live in quite such a sheltered spot – I tried them years ago and did not have a good success rate, but I might give Doreen’s method a go as there is no doubt, they put on a spectacular show – if only they were scented .. mmmmm there’s a thought. Are there any scented dahlias?

 

Silent Sunday in Branscombe

Silent Snowy Sunday

Pictures taken last weekend.

Joining Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Snow, Ice and Guinness

Last weekend I went to Branscombe, Devon for a ‘Walk of Life’ workshop.

But

The Beast from the East was foretold and this Beast would clash with Storm Emma and cause all sorts of dire conditions

I wondered if the workshop would still take place, but Helen seemed very determined that it would go ahead so I decided to go a day early to get there before the worst of the weather was due to descend upon us.

I got there just in time, as just a couple of hours after I was cosily ensconced in Nestlecombe, the walk across the road to the Masons Arms was getting icy and the village was soon to be cut off for all except farm vehicles.

In the pub I found a log fire, a warm welcome and a handsome young French bartender. I ordered mushroom soup and Guinness… I do love a draught Guinness.In his strong French accent, the bartender asked me what I was doing in Branscombe.

“I’m here for a dance workshop on the beach,” says I

“I was not expecting that!” he said, we laughed!

After lunch, while the storm raged and the snow fell, I was snug back in my holiday let, happily watching ‘Shetland’ on iPlayer and doing some more of my Jurassic Coast blanket.

This is currently my go to project when I just want to do rows and not have to think too much about the pattern. Easy to do in front of the TV.

I laid it on the bed to see how it was coming along

Just coming up to half way.

Keeping to coastal colours in Stylecraft Special DK, 4.5mm hook and in Extended Moss Stitch, which I think is also called Linen Stitch.

The view from the bedroom window

After the snow came the freezing rain and on Friday walking anywhere was lethal – lethal but beautiful 

so I just had to get out there with the camera – luckily I had my walking stick and Snow Grips with me. I’ve had them for years and never used them before.

There was a crust of ice over everything

which made a wonderful crunchy sound as you made your way across it

I have never seen the effects of freezing rain before

this whole tree was encased in ice

The photos don’t really do it justice as the light was so low

the effect was spectacular

I thought the pub sign had a touch of ‘Daphne du Maurier’ about it.

and in the fields

so much beauty to be found

even the catkins were frozen

more icy photos to come …….

Click on any photo to see it larger.

(PS. I was the only one who turned up for the Workshop! Wimps! Ha!)

Now I’m going to pop over to Cathy’s for a good ol’ Knit and Natter Friday