Painting The Scene

Lake

This morning we took Sheila to visit the Gordleton Mill Hotel and garden. Although there was a private function in the hotel, having walked down a few steps and across the bridge over the River Avon, we were welcomed in the bar and on the patio where we each enjoyed a cappuccino. One of the attractions of this beautiful garden is its array of artwork, much of which I photographed on our visit of 2nd April.

There were still a few I had not featured before, such as

Organic woman

the front view of Organic Woman, the rear of which greets you as you drive in;

Stone sculpture

the same artist’s Stone sculpture;

Stone Ware sculpture

Stone Ware;

Apple and pear sculpture

or this apple and pear.

Tree sculpture

Should you prefer tree sculpture there is this moustachioed chap,

Wood Spirit sculpture

or the Wood Spirit.

Chairs and gunnera

Two vacant chairs against a backdrop of gunnera, waited patently for occupants. Unbeknown to me, as I followed in their tracks, Jackie and Sheila had apparently obliged, whilst I was inside settling the bill.

Iris and fountain sculpture

 Yellow  irises were sprayed by a sculpted fountain, creating a scene being depicted by

Painters

two attractive artists, their materials spread out on the woven furniture.

We enjoyed a pleasant chat before I continued catching up Jackie and Sheila who had progressed to another area which, in turn, led up some steps revealing another beautiful garden room, in which three women strolled with glasses of wine..

Garden

This afternoon I cut the grass and Jackie continued weeding and pruning. I have to admit that, were I to do the weeding, I would be bound either to pull up something I shouldn’t, or to leave to flourish a plant better uprooted. My contribution to this exercise is to gather up the containers of the head gardener’s refuse, carry them up to the compost area, then backtrack, by which time she will have filled a wheelbarrow, and I would return to the heap.

As a little respite from this trudging, I took a brief wander down Downton Lane which has more than its share of blind bends on which a scooter has just enough room to pass an oncoming car.Narrow bend

iris foetidissima

Iris foetidissima now flourishes on the verges.

This evening the three of us dined at The Plough Inn at Tiptoe. We enjoyed the usual excellent fare, with friendly and efficient service. My choice was home made pork, apple, and cider pie encased in proper short crust pastry, boiled potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and cabbage with tasty gravy, followed by New Forest ice cream; Jackie’s was chicken fricassee followed by a firm, yet, moist cheesecake; Sheila’s was scampi with boiled potatoes and a plentiful, fresh, salad. I drank a superb rioja; Jackie, draught Peroni; and Sheila, sparkling water.

30 comments

  4. Although I’m generally open about different forms of art, the Organic Woman’s rear would surely hardly be a welcoming sight 🙁 I have to get me some of those Fetid Irises. They’re beautiful. They should perhaps plant them in front of the Organic Woman’s welcoming view.

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