Blists Hill, Ironbridge

There are many places to visit in the Midlands of England which clearly illustrate the "Great" in Britain. Whether anyone would agree that the title still holds true is debatable, but a visit to Blists Hill Victorian Village, part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum, certainly demonstrates why our past should not be forgotten. It is a delightful experience which certainly gets some of the people saying "oh, I remember those".


The top of town has a bank, grocer's shop, chemist (shown here), printing shop, bakers and sweetshop, while the back streets are busy with small offices, works and factories including a working foundry and iron rolling mill.


If ever anyone had any doubts about a visit to the dentist, give a thought to the experience our forefathers had.


This requires no comment from me, but does explain the origins of certain expressions.


The museum site is quite extensive and includes some 30 acres of walks above the banks of the Shropshire canal.


I have more pictures from our visit at smugmug - Brodick's photo galleries and further information about all the sites in the area can be found at Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust

To London Again

We have been away for a few days, to London again, this time to welcome a new member of the family as our younger daughter celebrated the birth of a son. We are particulary pleased for them as the pregnancy has been difficult for the last few months, and everyone is relieved that it is all safely over.
Whilst there I took a few pictures around St Thomas's Hospital, this one just outside the main entrance of a remarkably impressive statue. Unfortunately I failed to note what it was or who it was by. Put it down to the excitement of the occasion.



Looking across the hospital gardens you see one of the most photograhed buildings in London. An impressive place to be born.



The gardens are a very tranquil place to sit close to the centre of London.



Access to the Embankment is easy and the views are great.







This is another way of getting away from it all.

Culzean Castle

Anyone visiting Ayrshire would be well advised to to stop off for a look at Culzean Castle. Owned by the Scottish National Trust since 1945 it has been beautifully restored, and now sits proudly on the cliffs overlooking the Clyde and the Isle of Arran.



The castle was converted by the architect Robert Adam as a bachelor residence for the Earl of Cassillis, between 1777 and 1792. There is now a strong link with General Eisenhower who was presented with an appartment here in recognition of his war efforts, and it is possible to stay in it.



There are fine grounds with wonderful borders to admire. You will need to be well shod however, as the gardens are extensive and involve some considerble amounts of walking if you are to see them all.



The Swan Pond is one attraction not to miss, but it is a good walk from the house.



Looking down the coast from the house Ailsa Craig can clearly be seen.
Culzean Castle & Country Park

Gardener's World Live - update

A new gallery has been added at Smugmug - Gardener's World Live
The following photos, and many more can be viewed there.

Garden aromas

At this time of the year the garden becomes heady with the perfumes of many of the plants.This buddleia, which was only planted at the end of last year, is already becoming a favourite with the butterflies and the bees.
At this time I believe it is important to provide as much habitat for wildlife as possible in a small garden to try to tip the balance back in their favour whilst many, but not all, farmers continue to put profit first. With the pressures put upon them by supermarkets I can see their dilema. Perhaps we the consumer should try to be a bit less price conscious when we do the weekly shop.



Another good plant for its perfume is this honeysuckle. This one is actually tucked away in a corner, so perhaps doesn't get seen as much as it deserves. When the conditions are right however, you can always smell it! This bloom was particularly fragrant although it was just past its best visually. 

Gardener's World Live

It seems like a long time ago now, but some weeks back we went to the Gardener's World Live Show at the NEC Birmingham.
In the absence of any other activity with the camera I am posting just a few of the many photographs I took on a very enjoyable day out. These are just a few of the show gardens.












 

I had a somewhat strange dream last night, in which I saw these two ducks in the garden, one of which was very blue. I asked my wife what it was, and she told me it was a grocken.
When I woke up this morning I got out of bed quickly and took this photo to prove what I saw. A Google search doesn't seem to know what a grocken is, other that some cliffs in the Shetland Isles. Anyone else any ideas?!! 

Haddon Hall

Yesterday marked the end of a hot spell of weather, so we decided to go to Haddon Hall in Derbyshire to take advantage of the more comfortable conditions.
The Hall as it is now was started around 1370 by Richard de Vernon, and what we have today is a wonderful example of a medieval building.



There are some delightful gardens, due mainly to the passion of Her Grace the 9th Duchess of Rutland. When she arrived with her husband at the beginning of the 20th century, she encountered a garden overgrown and uncared for, and set about a massive clearance to create what is said to be one of the most romantic gardens in England.



The stone buttresses and ancient house walls are clad with many magnificent climbing roses.



The terraces are also home to many more roses, many of which were at the height of their first flush.



Nesting around the eaves were many house martins. This family of youngsters were sitting on some of the ironwork high up on the walls awaiting the arrival of lunch, which it did every few minutes.
Inside the house, above one of the rooms,was a colony of pippistral bats for which there was an apology about the smell which lingered despite all the cleaning efforts!



The house overlooks the River Wye which meanders pleasantly past and under this old packhorse bridge.

View more of my photos at Smugmug - Haddon Hall

And for more information visit Haddon Hall

 

Hibiscus lifespan

The hot weather has brought out one of the most spectacular blooms in our conservatory, the hibiscus. Once it gets going we get a continuous succession of flowers well into the winter.







From any angle they look attractive.



Sadly, each bloom only lasts for a couple of days at best, which seems like an awful lot of triuble to goto for such a short life span



Finally, before dropping off, it neatly wraps itself up, still managing to look good, whilst the next bud can be seen preparing itself for action.

 

Calke Abbey

As it was very hot over the last week-end we decided that we wouldn't travel far and so opted for one of our favourites, Calke Abbey.
The gardens are coming to their best just now, and although not particularly large, are well worth another visit.



The borders in the walled garden are spectacular, as ever. You may recognise the tree from a posting earlier in the year. It does now have a few leaves to adorn it.



This year sweet peas have been planted to feature in one of the borders, not only do they look great, but the perfume is divine.



We spotted this swallow in the reconstructed orangery. He seemed to be having some trouble finding his way out. I trust he eventually succeeded.



Near to the church was a small herd of cows sheltering from the heat of the day. These two decided to eat some of their sun shade.



The cow with the bent, if not exactly crumpled horn.



It's just too darn hot!