Beautiful Botany!

If ever you want a break away from it all, this is the place!

Botany Farmhouse is a delight! It's a perfect, peaceful piece of paradise!

We discovered this hidden gem over 20 years ago 

and it hasn't changed from when we first visited.

The owners, Carol and Graham are the friendliest people

 and they give their time to you; nothing is too much trouble.

The rooms are a joy!

There are two, equally delightful...and if you love vintage then this is vintage

at its best!  (Carol loves vintage fabrics!)

And oh my! The breakfasts!!

The extra little touches are oozing with charm!!

The breakfast room is simply lovely.

The bread is home made! And gorgeous!

You are given the jams and marmalades in little, vintage tea cups.

And all in all, breakfast is an inspiration!

Just the way to start the day! 

If you are lucky, at breakfast time, you will spot deer in the 

field belonging to Carol and Graham!!

I even saw them from our bedroom window

when I woke very early one morning.

I love Botany!

It's a little piece of heaven to which I hope

 I'll return one day... very soon!

                                                     http://www.botany-farmhouse.com

In the August garden

I've loved the garden this year! Everything has behaved!

It dare not with me in charge!!

Whilst June and July seemed to have been full of pinks, blues and purples,

August has entered with the theme of yellow...and so sunny it is too!!

Rudbeckia, Coreopsis and Echinacea (to name a few), appear to have popped up

without me almost noticing...and thus nudged other plants out of the way!

It's lovely, as we haven't had the sunniest of Julys!

August isn't that great either!

But the yellow in the garden has more than made up for the lack of sun.

My one 'pain in the neck' has been a mole!

Molehills everywhere!!

I bought a 'gizmo' but that hasn't worked too well

and thus 'Molevolio' ( as a friend nicknamed it)

is still being a right nuisance!!!

Oh well...I suppose they have to exist somewhere!

Meanwhile, I'm hoping that the days of buying endless bags of compost, will soon be over!

We are now the proud owners of three compost bins...thanks to my other half!

It's all going on at the bottom of the garden!

And as these photos were taken a month ago, I can now report that the bins

are in use and we are composting whatever we can !!

(Within reason!)

This all occurs behind my summerhouse!

Oh yes! It's a wonderful thing, the garden!!

I wonder what September has in store?

 ;-)

Parke

This morning, we ventured to a place which, for us, is only a ten minute drive.

Parke, just outside Bovey Tracey.

It is a delightful spot. 

Obviously the first thing that one does before setting off to walk,

is to partake of some fine fare!

The cafe was pleasant, the service was very friendly and the food was excellent.

At Parke you have a number of options when it comes to walking routes.

It was good to stroll and chat.

Parke House is not open to the public as it is leased to the

 Dartmoor National Park Authority as its headquarters.

                     

          

On the way back, I noticed a small collection of old farm carts; 

what wouldn't I give to have one of these at the bottom of my garden!

A very lovely morning indeed!!

For more information, click here

The Topsham open gardens...NGS.

Last week, we had a lovely trip, trekking around the open gardens in Topsham.

The first garden was delightful, with some tree ferns which were

beauties and there was also a very peaceful place to rest...

Everything was beautifully done, considering that it was once a bit of a mess!!!

We made our way to the second garden feeling very inspired

This pretty alleyway caught my eye.

The next garden was right by the River Exe.

It too was a delight...and the cake and teas were the best I've ever enjoyed!

We left, feeling suitably satisfied!

On to garden number 3!

Garden number 3 was my type of garden, very much in my style.

The sweet peas were stunning...(better than mine!)

All in all, it was a  fabulous day!