Enjoying the river and gardens in Villafranca

posted in: Europe, Galicia, Home, Spain | 4

We enjoyed a three-night stay in the Parador at Villafranca del Bierzo and it was a wonderful stop. The hotel is comfortable, quiet, friendly and with excellent food. I highly recommended staying here if you are travelling in the area. … Continued

Chateau de la Ballue, Brittany

posted in: Brittany, Home | 0

Travelling from St Malo to Fougères can be quick – down the motorway at 70mph and forty minutes later you are there. Alternatively you can potter down the side roads and linger along the 84 kms between the two…

Gardens at Matjiesfontein

posted in: Home, South Africa | 0

Matjiesfontein is in the Great Karoo, surrounded by miles and miles of semi-arid countryside and endless mountains. It is a land you either love or hate – you can’t ignore it and it doesn’t allow neutrality. In this seemingly arid landscape … Continued

Jardin Botanique et Exotique, Roscoff

posted in: Brittany, France, Home | 1

A wonderful extravagance of plants overlooks the sea on the edge of Roscoff – the Jardin Botanique et Exotique de Roscoff. The garden started in 1986 when the Department bought a rock, the Roc d’Hievec, and two enterprising gardeners set to work … Continued

Parc Botanique de Haute Bretagne

posted in: Brittany, Home | 0

As in 2015 the first day in France included a visit to the Parc Botanique de Haute Bretagne. I am going to write about the visit on my gardening site so here is just a taste of this lovely place.

Wyken Hall Gardens

posted in: Home, Suffolk | 2

Wyken Vineyards is more than vineyards: there is a manor house dating from 1570 with later additions, and ‘..gardens which include a rose garden, topiary, herb garden, vegetable garden, maze, dell, wild garden, nuttery and an orchard, in addition to a commercial vineyard … Continued

Parc Botanique de Haute Bretagne, France

posted in: France, Home | 0

The Parc Botanique de Haute Bretagne was the first stop for Day 1 in France. There will be more photographs on my gardening site, but you might like a hint of this astounding, magical, wonderful, exciting garden here.

In Greenwich Park

posted in: Home, London | 0

Yesterday was very cold and clear, and the light in the last two hours before sunset was truly golden. There was a promise of spring and life to come.  

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