What a fantabulous day I've had!
It was very chilly - I had a sweatshirt and a jacket and was still pretty cold! - and it was pretty wet toward the end, and we had to hurry through the last part of our walk because we were getting soaked - but we were there for hours. You could literally walk all day and still not see it all. I have to say, their little map that they give you of the gardens etc. is useless! And there are little signposts - equally useless! We were looking for the "Summerhouse" - we followed both map and signposts - and never found it! But we found lots of other lovely areas! I had to think though. Imagine when places like this were just someone's home. Imagine just saying "I'm going for a walk around the garden." - and not getting back for five or six hours!!
This is not the best time of year to visit. The gardens are particularly famous for their Camelias, Azaleas & Rhododendrons - none of which of course were in bloom - except an occasional late flowering azalea. But there drifts & banks of Astilbe, which was lovely. And I treated myself to a Buddleia Bush. I've wanted one for ages. I love the sort of honey scent of them.
On the way home I stopped to the nursing home for an hour, and had tea with William. He's very frustrated at being strapped into a chair between walks. He just wants to keep getting up and walking! Don't know what the solution is. Poor love, he is so unhappy about it, and doesn't understand what it's all about. And when I got home, I got out the hoe & garden claw (on a long handle) and gave the veg garden a quick going over. Day out or no- have to try and keep on top of things!
It's a cold, wet, miserable night. Think I'm going to take a bath and watch a dvd.
