A grand day out.

Hello! We had some sun today, we had some sun on Sunday, but I can't remember the weather as far back as Saturday. SUN! Sun, sun, sun, sun sun!

SUN!

It's exciting because we've been having long periods of grey skies, not good for any one, least of all things like seedlings on window sills, they get "leggy", like they're desperate to reach sun.

Not only did we have sun yesterday (Sunday), but we had a little outing to an open garden. The first of the season! Hugo spent most of the car journey exclaiming that he couldn't believe we were going on an outing. I suppose it has been a while since we've been out for the day, I have been spending all my weekends working lately.

I was a little sceptical as to how good a garden could be at this time of year, but as Hugo repeatedly said, "there will be tea and cake" in a very insistent way, I realised that it was important to him we go.

I'm so glad we went. It's a wonderful garden.

It's Shepherd House Garden, the website is here.

I've heard and seen Auricula theatres (see some amazing ones here), but never come across Snowdrop theatres.

Have you heard that some Snowdrop bulbs exchange hands for thousands of pounds? For people who collect Snowdrops, the subtle differences are very noticeable, and obviously very valuable.

I always think that to create a garden that is beautiful in the winter months is a tremendous achievement.

This garden isn't an enormous garden, but the way the space has been used is very clever, and you wander around through different "rooms" being entertained by the imaginative layout and planting.

I can't wait to return to this garden later on in the year.

 

There's another reason I want to return to this garden, and it's not just because I know it will get more abundant and exquisite as the year progresses. It's because there is a little dog, (the same breed as ours, Miniature Wire-haired Dachshunds), called Katie, who lives there. I was so busy stalking her, to try and get a cuddle, I forgot to take her photograph. Hugo says I looked like a dog snatcher, and the reason she looked so nervously at me, was that she was thinking the same thing as Hugo. I just wanted a cuddle. Actually I did get one in the end. I followed her all the way to her Dad, who picked her up and offered to let me hold her. As long as I didn't run off with her.

"Did I really look like a dog snatcher?" I asked Hugo incredulously, as we drove off in the car later.

"Yes," said Hugo forcefully, "everyone visiting the garden probably thought you were a dog snatcher too".

We've not had a day out for a while, and have lost our stamina for it, because by the end of the day we were both exhausted. Crazy isn't it.

Well, I'm off back to work. Cheerio! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Teresa Kasner]

Vanessa, what a fun post! I now wish you'd gotten a photo of that dog that was so cute you stalked it to get a hug. LOL

It was fun to see this garden in it's beginning stages.

Hugs from Oregon, USA

[Gill]

Spring must be coming if you've started garden visiting again! Were the cakes good? you didn't tell us about the cakes! but the garden looks really interesting - I look forward to pictures of your return visit
I'm glad you had sunshine because we certainly didn't - perhaps you could send some our way next time????

[barbara]

Isn't it great now that things are growing again.I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall watching you stalk the dog!I bet it was very funny.But what about the cake?Hope there was some.

[June]

Isn't topiary an amazing thing - to be able to make a plant look like a dog!
June.

[Alice and Raymond!!!]

I loved those dog trees! they are so cool! And maybe is was the intent way you were stalking this dog that made everyone wonder! he he he Karen is the same with cats. Do you know, I got off the bus last night in a different suburb to where I live, and on the corner of the street there was a big old house and by the iron gate there was the most beautiful big labrador who was almost white, sitting probably waiting for his parents and I stopped to give him a pat and thought that I might look like a dog snatcher, or, how easy it would have been for someone to open the gate and take this lovely dog!!!!!
Glad to hear you had fun at the garden and thank you for sharing your lovely pictures!
XXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Penelope]

What stunning snowdrops Vanessa, they are my absolute favourite, I can never get enough of them. I think a winter garden that is beautifully planned out as this one can certainly have it's own sense of beauty and as you say will unfold into all it's glory as the seasons change.
I too might appear as a cat or dog snatcher as love to give them a little cuddle if I can, some owners get a little possessive though, so I tread carefully xox

[ilsa-fay]

Hello Dog Snatcher! LOL. That garden is gorgeous. The snow drops are amazing! Glad you enjoyed your "outing"!:-)

[Fiona]

These are the posts I love from you the most :o) Now, a bit more knitting next time would be luverrrrly! You are working too hard! x

[Barbara]

Oh gorgeous garden Vanessa! And quite understand about the dog-stalking thing - I fell in love with a dalmation (with brown spots)while on holiday by the beach in January and perhaps his owners thought me a little weird?! I felt it necessary to explain that I was missing my own little dog back home ... in real life I imagine a dalmation needing way more energy and time than I have to give!
ps Knitting season beginning down here, hooray!

[Planet Penny]

What a lovely garden,your photos are great! I did the 'dog snatcher' thing a couple of years ago, stalking a lady with two miniature dachshunds and having a cuddle with the very sleepy puppy. Six months later we went off to get Higgins so its a dangerous pastime!
Penny xxx

[knittingoutloud]

Lovely garden!!! The snowdrops!!! Especially nice to see right now, as my garden has about 4 feet of snow on it.

[Jennyff]

It's years since I visited that garden, I'd forgotten just how wonderful it is. I've been dreaming over the website and am now going outside to continue sorting my own patch out. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Veronika]

hahaha, so funny about the dog-snatching! :)) I can just imagine you running around the garden chasing the dog for a cuddle! :))

I wish Ian and I could go out sometimes, but like you guys we're exhausted by the end of the day. Oh well. Hopefully the good weather will bring more energy!

I've finished Anabelle's cardigan by the way, if you want to have a looksy.

xx
Veronika

[Jo Bleaden]

Thank you for sharing such a treasure with us. I love Winter gardens lots of elements have to come into play; shape and texture in particular. Your photos really captured it's essence.
Jo x

[Liz W in Missouri, USA]

Spring is coming! YEAAAA! Sunshine here today, too. I can't wait for things to start blooming - though that may be a while yet. I love it when you visit gardens and I love the picture of the flower pots in the window of the stone shed!

[Jessie]

Hi Vanessa, isn't it lovely when we get a day like that and it really feels as thogh spring is here! Your pictures declare that loud and clear! Today and yesterday we've had dull greyness but I'm holding onto my memory of sunday! :)xx

[Gem]

I love the snowdrops... I love the topiary dogs... I love the potting shed! What a lovely day out :)

[Linda Gilbert]

Vanessa -- What a treat -- atruly beautiful post Thank you

[Teje]

Hi Vanessa! Thank you for taking us with you to this beautiful garden! What a wonderful 'dog-bush'! I wish you sunny days and spring time! Teje

[mary]

I love the flowers !

[Frances]

Vanessa, I'm also intrigued by gardens whose designs look great throughout the seasons. You all got to visit a great one. Do go back as spring really gets underway.

Taking a break on a beautiful day...a marvelous idea. Good to listen to Hugo's suggestions! xo

[katy alston]

Isn't it fantastic spring is practically with us - we're a bit further north than you ... Vanessa -I have a question - could you slip the answer cryptically in one of your blogs pleeeeaaase. How do you manage so much speedy fairisle knitting?
Do you use the carry a yarn on each hand or drop the yarn ?
From a time pressed knitter and illustrator!

[Helen]

Such fabulous garden pictures! I loved this post, and wished I could visit that garden! Our NGS yellow book arrived this week and I'm planning to visit lots this year - what a lot to look forward to...Have a great weekend.
Helen x

[Victoria]

Oh for a garden like that ......... x

[discount louis vuitton handbags]

Thanks so much for your encouraging words Lorraine. Once again so eloquently stated and inspiring. I would love to take the e-course, I'm always unhappy with my photos so it would be a wonderful journey to learn to accept and appreciate them.
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[cathy]

Beautiful! What is great is how even in winter the gardens look fantastic. I really enjoy the photos. I love those basket work raised beds.

[Gwen Gyldenege]

Oh my! That *is* a lovely garden. I just love those snowdrops. And, you're quite fun about the way you take your photographs. I love the framing and collage-ing. It looks like it was a lovely day and a lovely visit. it would be interesting to go back in 6 months to see what it looks like in mid summer.

[Grette Spadoni]

I love the garden setup you've shown here! You say that this garden isn't enormous, but the photos say otherwise. The space is maximized efficiently, without sacrificing any aesthetic aspect. Again, this is a lovely garden!