Sunday 14 June 2009

English Country Gardens

I wanted to tell you about our weekend. You may remember that we have a caravan over in Herefordshire. One of the highlights of the area is a village called Eardisland. It is a stunningly beautiful village and happily for me it had it's annual 'Open Gardens'.
Our chance to look around private gardens and my goodness me, what a treat! I think there were eleven private gardens to visit in all. Here are random pictures that I took yesterday and this morning.
The following garden was so stunning with it's Orangery and thatched wood store/shed/barn that I burst into tears....so overhwelmingly beautiful. My husband looked at me in horror, asking "what on earth is the matter"? I said "I didn't know"!







This is the River Arrow running through Eardisland.

One of the gardens running alongside the river.

A private house and garden too beautiful to describe below. Elegant, sophisticated. Every element, total perfection.







Another 'dream home' and garden.


This garden wasn't 'open' but the front garden was a haze of daisies. So I hastily snapped a pic as we walked by. tut tut

Driving home Mark and I were treated to an air display by the Red Arrows who were performing at cosfordairshow. Breathtaking! The pic below was the vapour trail of a heart that two of the Red Arrows had made.

You can just make them out here......... flying perfection.

You may have noticed that I will be attending the Fair organised by Jane of
janeandthehappycrow and Christine, who owns the 'Sea Garden' (a shop designed and made in heaven), Portscatho, Cornwall. 2nd August next. Many of the ladies who did the handmadeandvintagefair at Chipping Sodders a few weeks ago will be attending. It would be brilliant if you could come along. Maybe, have a day or two in Cornwall too???!!!!.. You know, kill two birds with one stone. It's a good excuse to visit Cornwall anyway. I personally cannot wait, really looking forward to it. Also, please make a note of the next Vintage and Handmade Christmas Fair, 14th November next.
Finally, I know I say this at the end of most of my posts, but I never fail to be overwhelmed and thrilled by the kindness shown to me on this blog. Thank you so much, to all of my friends, for all your kindness, loyalty and support. It means so much to me x

34 comments:

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

It seems like you are living my dream,
what a wonderful weekend!

Clare said...

Do you think any of the owners would notice if I moved in and lived in the bottom of the garden? What a super weekend..lucky you!See you at Portscatho.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Beautiful gardens Viv, lots of inspiring images.x

Onika said...

You're right, these places are absolute perfection, I love this time of the year in England.

Gina said...

You can't really beat an English country garden on a beautiful summer day.

Sal said...

Hi there!
We stopped at Eardisland when we did the 'Black and White Trail' in Sept.I thought it was a lovely village.

Did you spot the old AA box?
I took some pics which I will have to search for...meanwhile,here's a good link:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1063002

Sal ;-)

Heloise said...

Beautiful gardens and a perfect weekend weather wise to visit them.

Jackie said...

I know that teary feeling at a garden. I did Art and garden today..it was fantastic and always makes me wish I'd put in the effort.
Eardisland looks beautiful.

Teena Vallerine said...

Ah gardens! They conjure so many memories, the scent, the colours - I cannot even return to some of the gardens in our yellow book - my mother-in-law and I visited so many of them and the memories are so happy I'd like to keep them just that way! t.x

lilylovekin said...

What beautiful gardens. It is always a joy to have a week-end get away in the caravan or trailer as we say in the US.

Bridget Farmer said...

They all look so beautiful! I'm looking forward to returning to the northern hemisphere in september, although I'll have to wait half a year before I can see summer gardens!
thank you for showing them to us!

A time to dance said...

What wonderful gardens...I thought gardens like tha only existed in my country living magazine...wouldnt you just love a snoop round the houses too, I love walking round the little area we live in at dusk, te houses are all higglydepiggledy and when the lights are on you can have a peek inside...although once I saw a man washing up in the nude...and the sink didnt hide his modesty.....I will leave you with that one...have a good week my lovely friend...H

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

It is good to be moved .... I always well up when entering beautiful churches or cathedrals.. especially Bath Abbey..
Beautiful gardens like the ones in your sublime photos do fill the heart...
We are so lucky to live in such a stunning land!

SO looking forward to seeing you at the fair in Cornwall. I do hope I get more time to talk to you!

Michele xx

Photos by Rosie said...

beautiful gardens, ahh, makes it really feel like summer!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Gorgeous piccies, how I would like my garden to be

Guess what, I've wangled a lift to Portscatho. I was hoping to be able to get there but public transport is a no no!! Only 40 miles from me but 5 bus changes and a 4 hour one way trip - NO WAY!!! So a dear blogging friend has offered to give me a lift!
xx

Country Cottage Chic said...

I could quite happily live in any of those beautiful places!

Good luck with the fair!

Jayne

PS: Don't forget about my purse!!

Sam said...

oooo I was just oogling your lovely pictures!
Really like your blog header!

Sam x

Victoria said...

Beautiful. I can see why they would move you to tears!

Sue said...

Know exactly what you mean about the emotion of walking into somewhere you feel so in tune with and know immediately you just don't want to leave... what gorgeous gardens Viv, and exactly what I'd expect from beautiful Eardisland, isn't it a wonderful village? We visited a couple of years ago and I fell in love with the gorgeous little tearoom. I would like to be lying on that comfy looking hammock right now with a book and a long cool drink...

Julia said...

That's the best weekend in pictures!! Very inspiring!! I really wish I could make it to Cornwall too, but its just not possible - have a smashing time though, cant wait to hear all about it!

Love Julia xxx

Tracy x said...

... beautiful....
especially love the open doorway and the sunlight on the old watering can..
fantastic pictures and words - thank you x
t x

meplusmolly said...

Beautiful gardens, what a lovely weekend.
It's amazing when people open their houses and gardens for such as these events, some amazing things to see, *sigh* one day.....when I have my own place.... it will be lovely too.... ;0

Mandy said...

Hello my lovely if you get a moment
I have tagged you on my blog xxx

THISNTHAT said...

Lovely pics of Herefordshire! Most of our family live there and we have had some lovely breaks in the farm cottages at Hidelow House (near to Bromyard - check out their website).
Lesley X

Linda Jo said...

Beautiful pictures. And, yes, I want to come to Cornwall!!!!!!

Mandy said...

Tagged you but forgot to made the page live!
It is there now ! What a twit i am!

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

It was lovely to meet you at the fair. I had such a great time there. Having been offline for 3 weeks, I have had some catching up to do. I particularly enjoyed your Bruges post as it is one of my absolute favourite places to go to. I go there 2 or 3 times a year when I visit relatives about 90 minutes away. The food is heavenly I go there for the hot waffles and chocolates from 'The Chocolate Line' (Mouth watering just thinking about it) Not sure if I can make it to Cornwall yet, would love to!
Isabelle x

'fancypicnic' said...

I see you popped round then!!
Oh, very funny, I know...what a lovely way to spend time, Viv. Beautiful gardens - thanks so much for sharing! As for the tears? I have been known to do the same over a row of trees....something just gets you, right 'there', doesn't it?! xx
thank you for your sweet words, too xx

Jacky said...

what beautiful photos I am so envious. I live in the sunburnt country and just coming into winter gardening is a struggle here and I love to look at blogs showing the landscapes.

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Oh my god you really made me laugh! your comment on the hand made fair in Porthscatho............I lreally love your blog.See you in Cornwall!Love Sarah-Jane down the lane x x x

Julie Whitmore said...

Thanks so much for this delighful tour, Viv, and will you promise to share even more pics when you go to Cornwall?
xx
julie

Corinne Phillips said...

Dream home and garden indeed! I am hoping to come along to the Home Spun fair as we start our week's holiday in Cornwall that weekend - just have to talk extremely nicely to hubby! Hope to see you there.

Dee said...

Hi there,
Found your blog recently and think it's great, wanted to share it with others so nominated you for a Lemonade Award. Hope you don't mind.
Dee

merry said...

oh, I know I am late to leave this comment but I thought you might like to know that the garden with the hammock and octagonal garden room belongs to my mum and dad.....and bizarrely they used to live in the house with the wild daisy meadow!! Thats where I was born and then they built the hammock house from scratch - it is a fab house and garden made with a lot of love too.
as a result of the influence of those two houses my dad started a company building oak framed houses 30 years ago - I work for him and have just started a blog all about oak houses (http://borderoak.blogspot.com)so it funny how I have stumbled on your blog! lovely work by the way!