Today’s weather was dull, dry, and warm.
This afternoon we ventured into the forest, finding ourselves in MacPenny’s Garden Centre where Jackie shopped for a climbing hydrangea and sat in the car with her puzzles while I wandered around the open garden.
Offering free access all the year round with proceeds of donations dedicated to the National Garden Scheme, I have to say that this splendid facility was looking very much in need of care. A notice at the entrance warns of uneven surfaces which need negotiation, but my impression is that these are more precarious, the steps lacking handrails once in place.
It is of course comparatively early in the year. Last year I spoke to a gentleman volunteer who was tending some of the beds. Today there were heaps of compost awaiting spreading, but no real signs of activity.
Nevertheless shrubs such as camellias,
rhododendrons,
and magnolias bloomed happily, while
hellebores and
snakes head fritillaries flew the flags for smaller species.
A small tree I didn’t recognise
bore pendulous fruit.
One was never very far from a bench
or steps, most of which I thought best avoided.
Paths wound around and between banks offering vistas on different levels.
Rotting stumps made offerings to the garden ecology;
a probably currently redundant hose lay coiled on a leaf-laden path;
branches of naked trees writhed against the skies.
Any readers concerned about my safety may be reassured by the walking stick that Elizabeth gave me for my birthday last year which does wonders for my balance.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s well-filled toothsome beef pie; roast potatoes and butternut squash; crunchy carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Cotes de Bourg.
Great photos, Derrick. I hadn’t heard of climbing hydrangea, I’ll have to look around here.
They are great against a wall, but slow growing. Thanks very much, GP
Is there a freak out going on over there in England about Coronavirus?
Pretty much, Mrs W. Thanks very much.
I wondered if it was just Americans losing it.
I think the whole world is ruled by fear and hate at the moment – panic inevitably follows
The world around me is with a few of us sensible ones shaking our head.
Yes
Even though this place is in dire need of repair, I am sure they will take care of it in due time. It has a great potential.
Thanks very much, Dolly. I hope so.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Looking forward to enjoying those blooming hydrangea in your garden.
Thanks very much, Rupali
A splendid series of photos to accompany your ramble.
Thanks very much, Sheree.
Pleasant walk! I have to say my husband would love your walking stick. He picks up branches lying by paths and shortens then makes them do the work for his needs.
Every meal you mention has my mouth watering–yet I am a rather small eater and could not manage all that in a sitting!
🙂 Thank you very much, Cynthia
Lovely photos Derrick – I’m a big fan of the National Gardens Scheme 🙂
Thanks very much, Tiny. We usually visit a few. On 2nd June 2013 we visited a small garden at Bartley in the New Forest. When we returned in August we found print-outs of the relevant section of the earlier post on the various tables. https://derrickjknight.com/2013/08/04/aviemore-revisited/
Beautiful photos sir. That’s a sound walking stick.
Thanks very much, Gary. It really helps the balance.
I love the writhing naked branches!
You have such keen observation, Liz. That is much appreciated.
Thank you, Derrick!
It’s like an enchanted forest. What beautiful photos, Derrick! Thank you for sharing them today.
Thanks very much, Lisa. Perhaps the fact that I was the only one there added to the enchantment.
I’m sure it did!
A thoroughly interesting place to visit. Well done for negotiating the hazards safely.
Tanks very much, Tootlepedal.
It doesn’t look like a safe place for walking. Too many places where one could trip and fall.
Quite so. I’m not sure they’d pass the NGS test at the moment. Thanks very much, Rosaliene.
What a lovely place to wander. I’m glad you got a good look at it, thanks to the walking stick. I was hoping someone would know what that tree was. A palm of some sort?
That is what it looks like, Lisa. Antipodean perhaps? Thanks very much.
Check out Sago palm. It’s close.
Thanks again. X
Gorgeous photos, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Jill.
Previously, I wrote a long comment which included the word ‘idyllic’. Will this work…?
This worked. Obviously another WP glitch. I still get the unsecured site message when I go through the hoops to comment on yours.
I forgot to mention that your walking stick looks like one my grandmother had. In her mid-80s she took that stick, marched down the dirt road she lived on and shook it at some road workers who were putting in a drainage pipe that was going to send water into her field. She was about 4 foot tall so it was pretty funny to watch. I stayed up at the house so she didn’t shake it at me too 🙂
Scary-funny, Lisa. 🙂 Thanks very much.
Nature is so beautiful! That flowers…🌸Gorgeous photos Derrick!
Thanks very much, Ribana
You are quite the Gandalf in desolate woods. I trust those moss laden benches get cleaned up once in a while!
Thanks very much, Uma. That is one of the reasons it all looked so uncared for.
What a gorgeous place to visit. I do hope the centre receives enough donations to cover the cost of handrails and the repair and clean up of dangerous steps. I would imagine that if they charged an entrance fee, Health and Safety would be upon them in a shot!
One of my late husband’s hobbies was carving walking sticks, he had quite a collection and sold many. A week after he died, someone I didn’t know and hadn’t heard of contacted us to say my husband had promised him a walking stick and could he come over and choose one, I said NO! I was amazed at the cheek of the man and barely a week after Graham’s death.
I think they are still hanging in his workshop, I should take photos of them.
Thank you very much, Sue. That would make a very good blog post.
What a beautiful wooded-place! Love all the trees and branches and greenery and that cute little tree! It’s leaves do look palm-like. ???
I’m so glad your cool walking stick got to go on the walk with you! The mossy paths and the leafy paths can be slick at times.
So good to see their are benches and picnic-tables!
The rotting stumps can be good homes to little bugs and creatures. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…we had another rainy day.
Thanks very much, Carolyn. It’s time it stopped raining over there. X
“branches of naked trees writhed against the skies.” Beautifully expressed. I enjoy wandering around places like these.
Thank you so much, Anne. I’m glad you liked that
It does look like it could use a bit of help. Nevertheless it looks like an exciting and glorious place to visit.
Need to check health insurance details before visiting an accident site like that.
Camelias look good, ours are still inn tight bud.
Thanks very much, Andrew. We have a funeral plan if the worst comes to the worst
Beautiful, Derrick. It looks like a wonderful place to wander.
It is, Merril. Many thanks
Beautiful flowers! And that is one fine walking stick.
Thanks v very much, Laurie
Like others, I hope that funding becomes available for maintenance of these gardens. I truly enjoyed browsing through your montage. (I like your walking stick!)
Thanks very much, Maj and Sher
A beautiful place to walk about, and take photos! We had 1/2″ inch of snow here yesterday, but it has melted.
I hope it stays away, Lavinia. Thanks very much
Looks like an interesting place, and a great stick.
Thanks very much, Quercus.
Looks a lovely walk – great to have this addition to the garden centre. I’m glad you avoided the mossy rocks. Two falls in a week doesn’t do!
🙂 Thanks very much, Helen.
Great photos, I love those flowers. And yummy meal
Thank you very much, More.
You’re welcome
What a wonderful place for a walk (and buying plants.) I love winding paths. The picnic table seems to be in good shape.
Thanks very much, JoAnna.