Enjoying Castle Howard

Before I even start editing my photos from the weekend in Devon I thought we could all do with some Yorkshire blue skies to remind us of that glorious summer, before our memories are washed away with all the rain we’ve had lately. I don’t know about you but the (relatively) short downpours, which seem as if someone’s turned a shower on, are a bit like running the gauntlet aren’t they?

So far I’ve still avoided being caught in the worst of them, although yesterday I did have a couple of attempts to leave the house, stuck my nose out the door and delayed it for a few minutes before trying again. I was lucky that this didn’t go on for the whole day, but when I did choose to step out with every intention of getting the bus, I realised it wasn’t quite so bad after all and the walk was quite enjoyable.

But that’s not the blue Yorkshire skies, is it? These are though.

Before we caught our first glimpse of Castle Howard we’d spent quite some time exploring the Walled Garden, which was by far my favourite part of our day. We’ll come to that part I’m sure, but blue skies are what’s needed I think, and these are seriously blue skies. The fountains in front of the house really show off the sky, and even the algae looks pretty.

The exterior of Castle Howard evokes so many memories of Brideshead Revisited, for me, the one from the 1980s which although I wasn’t an avid watcher, I was a fan mainly of Jeremy Irons, and was keen to take a look round the exhibition in the house. And when I did I realised just how much my admission of not being an avid watcher was true, and how much I’d forgotten, or perhaps didn’t even know from this iconic series.

The grounds are extensive and provided plenty of space for visitors to enjoy without being on top of each other. For me that’s one of the best things about visiting places like this, having space enough to make believe it’s yours for the short while you’re there. Although this one was a push, even for me.

The lake was huge and provided a great place for a stroll, and some great pictures which emphasise the space available.

It’s calming isn’t it? And a great place to visit, after our stroll around the lake we headed through the grounds to the Temple of the Four Winds, which I’ve already shared here. So if you want a double burst of blue skies, head over there and soak that sky up too!

In the meantime, don’t forget your brolly again today…

Wow! Heather at Compton Acres

Compton Acres is a fabulous independent garden in Poole, Dorset and the Heather Garden there was just one of the gardens that blew us away when we visited in March last year.  The garden has over 100 different forms of heathers, and if I'm honest who knew there were so many?

I don't seem to have much luck with heathers in my own garden and while there's some heather around the lake in Greenwich Park, nothing on this scale. But we weren't aware of what lay ahead of us until we turned the corner and saw this:

Yes, exactly. 

I told you it was quite something.

Originally this space, which is south facing and full of rocky banks was the summer home of Thomas Simpson's cactus and succulent collection, which I'm sure would be equally as impactful. That was lost during World War II and after it was transformed into what would have been, at the time, a highly fashionable heather garden.

There were walkways and benches to get up close to the heather, and so that's what I did.  Each plant was full of colour, and nothing like the sorry plants I've had in my garden, and which has led me to give up on heather in this garden. It's all in the soil, and my woodland-like garden isn't where they want to be.

As you can see from the colour of the sky March last year was much different to this year, which I'm grateful for, but I can't help but wonder if the Heather Garden was as spectacular with a grey backdrop. It may well have been.

Despite being wowed by the overall sense of the garden there were still quirks to discover as you explored its paths.  These two lead statues were fun and elegant at the same time.

So who knew that heather could be this amazing, certainly not me and I couldn't help but be a little envious of the residents close by who overlooked this part of the garden.  I've plenty more to show you from this fascinating garden, and I'll do that over the next few weeks, but if you're in the area - or even close by - do go and have a look for yourself, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

The Tropical zone in Cannington's glass houses

As the warmer weather appears to have deserted us again I've taken measures into my own hands and today I'm sharing pictures from our visit to the Tropical zone in Cannington's glass house.  It was grey and misty in London for most of today and while the warmer temperatures are forecast, I'd appreciate if they were here now.  I'm sure you would too!

The glass house was hot and humid, replicating the wet tropics of Indonesia and the Amazon Rainforest, I'm taking this post as a kind of acclimatising type of post in readiness and anticipation of less grey, less misty and more Spring-like weather.  

Even just writing this post I can feel the warmth as we stepped into this area, the temperatures aim to be between 26 and 28 degrees, tough hey?

Warm, but lush. 

Just look at all the greens, and the odd burst of colour too.

As we walked around the small but densely planted space, something unusual caught my eye above me.  It was green, but not the usual green of plants. Taking a closer look, I was right, but no less curious. 

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it, and had no idea what it was. We thought it might be pepper, but we'd seen that at RHS Wisley and it wasn't this colour. 

Isn't the colour vibrant? And isn't it fascinating?

Thankfully there was a sign telling us it was a "Strongylodon macrobotrys" or more helpfully a Jade Vine.  I can see how it gets its name!

It's also commonly known as an Emerald Vine or Turquoise Jade Vine and is a native of the tropical forests of the Philippines.  Stems can be up to 18 metres in length and it's a member of the pea and bean family.  Can you imagine if I grew one of these on the allotment...

No me neither, especially in this weather.

But there was more colour for us to see before we headed back to the more temperate areas.  The pink, red and green leaves above, which I'm sure I've photographed before, most likely at Wisley and a much welcomed hibiscus. 

Doesn't it look fresh and full of warmth.  So who knew that you could find such tropical-ness in a small part of Somerset which is well worth a visit if you're close by.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed, and the added bonus is that if it's a chilly day, like us, you can spend time discovering the peculiar, but wonderful Jade Vine.