As lovely as it is to get away, it usually takes a lot of planning and preparation on my part. Often, the most relaxing times, for me at least, can be those days spent closer to home. These kind of days are more spontaneous, take minimal planning for, if indeed any at all, and besides a little petrol, don't cost anything.
I enjoyed one of these days, this week. After an early lunch, we took a short drive out to Sizergh Castle, so we could have a wander around the gardens. It is really beautiful there, and although it can get busy at this time of year, there is plenty of space where you can experience some peace and quiet.
The flower beds are gorgeous, and there is plenty of contrast to keep my interest. Not being overly green fingered, I might not know all their names, but I can still appreciate them.
And we are always keen to get to the kitchen garden. I love to see the rows of vegetables, interspersed with companion plants, the fruit tree borders, sweet peas, and sunflowers. And Lily always loves to see Charlie, the resident cat, who on this occasion was lying fast asleep on a bench.
The fruit trees in the orchard are laden with apples and pears, and the wildflowers are attracting so many pollinators.We sat for ages in the limestone garden, watching out for the bright blue damselflies above the water there. The acers look really pretty now, but they will put on an even more stunning display of colour in the autumn.
Once we had visited the main pond at the front of the castle (of course we had to see the Lilies), we set off for home again, feeling relaxed and happy. Some places seem to have that affect don't they. Then my cup was filled even more, when I discovered what my own vegetable 'garden' had produced for me.
J. X
Beautiful! It must be lovely to have that delightful place on your doorstep! I’d love that greenhouse!
ReplyDeleteWe love it there. X
DeletePerfect day, I too love the walled gardens and lovely rows of veg growing.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchens gardens are always my favourite. X
DeleteOh, what a lovely place, enhanced by your wonderful photos, of course. LIke Sal, I love that greenhouse!
ReplyDeleteAnd those potatoes - enjoy!! xx
The greenhouse is gorgeous. Occasionally they have to keep the door shut to keep Charlie away from the younger plants :)
DeleteI remember visiting Sizebergh one October day when my son was at university at Lancaster. If memory serves there were so many heathers to enjoy. Glad you are enjoying your summer holidays. B x
ReplyDeleteThe gardens are lovely during all the seasons, but autumn is my favourite at Sizergh. Xx
DeleteLooks like Charlie has the right idea!
ReplyDeleteHe's a smart cat. X
DeleteWhat a lovely outing, such vibrant colours and everything growing well. I liked the cat photo, a cat totally relaxed revelling in the location and enjoying the moment! I admired your potatoes also. It has been an odd summer here, we have had so many days of rain that our vegetables are way behind and now we are into a string of very hot days. A family of deer have started visiting our street, so I have moved my flower pots into the back which is enclosed. Enjoy your summer. Jean in Winnipeg.
ReplyDeleteIt has only really been this last week, that the weather has picked up here. It must be lovely for you to see the visiting deer family, but maybe not for your plants :)
DeleteWhat a lovely place to visit. I'm sure your homegrown potatoes will taste good xx
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do, Eileen :)
DeleteI did enjoy seeing your photographs, a lovely place to visit.
ReplyDeleteI like the look of your home-grown potatoes.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. I won't be needing to buy potatoes for a while. Xx
DeleteWhat a beautiful spot to escape to and unwind for a few hours. You do always find the best places! The gardens look lovely and I am envious over the greenhouse. I couldn’t agree more, a quick day trip that doesn’t require packing, a hotel, or intensive planning is absolutely the best - and those potatoes look, marvelous, good for you!
ReplyDeleteThe greenhouse is fabulous isn't it. I always feel relaxed after a visit to Sizergh. Xx
DeleteOh those potatoes look good. I'm going to check on ours. We have enjoyed some potatoes already and they taste so delicious. The gardens at Sizergh Castle look a lovely place to visit. So many wonderful plants to see.
ReplyDeleteKeep enjoying your holiday time.
I've never properly grown potatoes before, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I started digging. I was pleasantly surprised by how many were produced by just one plant. X
DeleteThose gardens look so lovely; so lush and green! I really enjoyed seeing the photos. And a wonderful harvest of potatoes from you own garden! That would have made my day!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly made mine, Bless. I'm easily pleased. Xx
DeleteSizegh is so pretty , I really want to see the Hawfinches that feed in the car park. X
ReplyDeleteThe Hawfinches are always popular in spring. Xx
DeleteWhat a lot of work those gardens must take to keep looking so lovely. Happy to see you enjoying yourselves. X
ReplyDeleteSizergh ,has many volunteers working hard to keep the gardens looking so beautiful. Xx
DeleteWe're so lucky in this country to have many beautiful and interesting places to visit, we're sure to find somewhere to visit on our own doorstep. I do enjoy looking round a kitchen garden, isn't that greenhouse gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love that greenhouse, but Lily scurried out, as soon as she heard buzzing :)
DeleteWow, what a gorgeous adventure. I've envious of you having that so close at hand. Everything is beautiful. Someone sure has a green thumb. I can't imagine all the work it takes to keep everything so pretty, trimmed, and weeded.
ReplyDeleteThey have a lot of volunteers at Sizergh. Even then, I imagine it takes a lot of work to keep the garden looking so beautiful. Maybe Charlie lends a hand ;)
DeleteSuch beautiful gardens to visit and near to you, what a super afternoon you had.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely way to spend an afternoon, whatever the season. Xx
DeleteThe gardens are absolutely stunning! The first photo is gorgeous - so lush and green. What a perfect day! And how lucky you are to have grown your own beautiful potatoes. I buy mine form the grocery store or farmer's market and store them in a brown paper bag in my pantry, but lately something has been eating holes in them and I have no idea what it could be!?
ReplyDeleteOh no! I wonder what that could be. I've been lucky with the potatoes, as I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to gardening :)
DeleteI think I was a walled kitchen gardener in another life. Smashing photos again.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy a wander around a kitchen garden. Thanks, Dave. X
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