No Discount For Amusing Dog

This afternoon, with Elizabeth and her friend, Cathy, we visited Spinners Garden in Pilley, open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme. Jackie and I had visited four or five years ago when the steep slopes and terraces of this wonderful, well established, venue were of no consequence. Not so today.

The long downward path between splendid varieties of rhododendron and camellia was more than I could manage without continuous pauses.

As soon as possible I sat on the edge of a decking platform and photographed a tree peony, a very large magnolia that had suffered from the attention of the recent Storm Hannah, and the neighbouring landscape.

I watched others, including Elizabeth and Cathy who had made their way down the sloping lawn to a pool with a wooden bridge at the bottom.

I did my best to avoid the attentions of the owner’s dog, keen to have his ball thrown for him. This was something else I had forgotten from our earlier visit. There was unfortunately no discount for amusing him. Cathy had the right idea. Her throw was so powerful that the ball landed in the pool. The owner had a spare to hand.

Jackie photographed the other three of us after we had taken refreshments on the patio. She then went up to the street to collect the car and bring it down for me – this at the suggestion of a member of the team.

There is a very attractive woodland walk up to the highest level which I was unable to contemplate on this occasion. Before entering the Modus, while my Chauffeuse waited patiently, I photographed this terraced scene rising from a pool containing yellow irises;

and other visitors climbing the path to the top.

With a last look at the beds at the bottom of the entrance road, I entered my waiting carriage.

Elizabeth joined us for dinner this evening, for which, after an amuse bouche of tasty spinach soup, Jackie produced her choice chicken jalfrezi and savoury rice, followed by apricot crumble and custard. My sister and I drank more of the Pinot Noir while The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden.

77 comments

    1. And a few of the photos here have “dimensions” or so many layers that it was fun to explore – like the photo below the one of the three of you all

  1. I do hope this is a temporary hiking setback and you haven’t officially entered the ‘decrepit’ stage. Your ability to frame shots is not suffering – there are some stunning photos here. This garden is on a par with your good lady’s, albeit somewhat larger and hillier…… and with a lovely dog!!

    1. Thanks very much, Pauline. I think it is just that the right knee has a few more months to go – it is already ahead. I thought you might like the dog – it is keeping very fit

  2. I hope that you are able to get to the top of the hill before too long. I don’t want to boast but I have been over the top of the hill for some years now. Lovely photographs today.

  3. What a fabulous place. Beautiful landscape and plantings and those shots with the pool! I’m sorry you couldn’t walk it the way you’d have liked, but it sounds as though it was just good to be in the beautiful surroundings. I hope the knee will soon be up to as much as you like.

  4. Your beautiful posts remind me of Tasmania, an island off the coast of Australia that became one of the first settlements from The English days, the landscape and gardens were created along the English lines and still emanate the English origins.
    You Derrick display in your posts, an amble through The Lords Garden of Eden.

  5. I am sorry to hear about your having to pause, Derrick, but those pauses allowed you to take marvelous photos of this glorious garden. Your knee will mend in no time, I am sure, and hiking up and down hills will once again become enjoyable.

  6. What a beautiful, peaceful, restful, healing setting AND day, Derrick! Thank you for sharing it with us!
    Oh…and you know I love the doggy!
    HUGS!!! 🙂
    PS…any leftover apricot crumble?!?!

  7. Those rhodies are just gorgeous, such variety of colours.

    Best not to overdo the knee-bending, things will improve as the weather warms up. 😉

    Sounds like a wonderful way to spend and end the day. 🙂

  8. I usually find that walking downhill is far more challenging on the knees than walking uphill. I’m glad that your companions were so attentive to your needs, Derrick. That dog obviously had you marked out as an expert bowler. 🙂 Lovely photos of a most beautiful garden.

  9. Such a beautiful spot, loved the gardens and their colours too this time of year.. Sending healing energy to that knee..
    Take care Derrick and love to Jackie that apricot crumble Yummmm.. <3

  10. As well as your own garden, you live in an area full of lovely public gardens, it seems. The strain you mention is not evident in the photo of the three of you. You look very relaxed. It looks like all of you had a beautiful day of rambling (and playing with the dog). 🙂
    Spinach soup and apricot crumble sound delicious!

  11. It is said the Border Collies are the most intelligent breed. I am sure he knows the park like the back of his paws and he would have gladly taken you around but for your convalescent knees.

  12. What sort of dog is that?
    Why didn’t he jump into the pool and get his ball?
    Still looks like a Border Collie the smartest of all dogs, probably thought let the silly human that threw the ball in get it her/himself, after all these humans say why have a dog and bark yourself, touché

  13. Especially lovely to see the tree peony. We had a border collie very like this one called Kelly. It is a major achievement you’re out climbing hills so early after the operations. I imagine the chance to photograph more flowers offered an added incentive.

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