We are lucky to have many beautiful places to walk, in Leamington Spa Warwick and Kenilworth, with gardens, rivers, castles, historical houses and parklands. Each time I walk in Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa, I see new delights. Throughout this pandemic, the natural world has upheld the spirits of so many – and the imagination, hardContinue reading “A Walk in Jephson Gardens Leamington Spa to Lift the Spirits”
Tag Archives: gardens
A Resurgence in Withdrawal – Covid-19 Lockdown Art
So many of us have reacted in different ways in the UK lockdown, some being energized and leaping into action in house and garden, others relapsing into lethargy, feeling flat and down and disorientated and bewildered by what’s going on in the world. Others may have taken up a new activity or found themselves behavingContinue reading “A Resurgence in Withdrawal – Covid-19 Lockdown Art”
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 1: Brisbane, Queensland: Roma Street Parklands
This is the first in a series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, which I visited in November 2019. First I visited Australia, where my travels took me to Brisbane, Queensland, and along the coast through New South Wales, during a time when that region was suffering severe drought withContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 1: Brisbane, Queensland: Roma Street Parklands”
Cornwall mini series Part 9: St Michael’s Mount
This is the ninth in a series of short reflections on places in Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. St Michael’s Mount is just off the coast at Marazion but may be reached on foot by the causeway when the tide is out. It is one of those places which has aContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 9: St Michael’s Mount”
Cornwall mini series Part 4: The Lost Gardens of Heligan
This is the fourth in a series of short reflections on places in Cornwall. There will be few words, and mainly images. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are an example of beauty recovered from loss and neglect following the devastation of War. Their recovery again emerged from the vision of Tim Smit who then wentContinue reading “Cornwall mini series Part 4: The Lost Gardens of Heligan”
Glass Sculpture Transforming Kew Gardens
I recently made another visit to Kew Gardens, where we were enchanted by several glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly. Placed in the most surprising areas – at the top of the Sion Vista, just outside the Temperate House, hovering over the pond in the water Lily House, or cunningly nested in amongst the tropicalContinue reading “Glass Sculpture Transforming Kew Gardens”
Great Gardens of England: Hidcote Manor Gardens, near Chipping Campden
A great garden is an image of paradise, in more than one religious outlook. Perhaps this is because within such a garden, all the very best of the natural world is taken by human ingenuity, and then gifted and skilled gardeners weave their own design and creativity into it. Our dreams become realised through aContinue reading “Great Gardens of England: Hidcote Manor Gardens, near Chipping Campden”
And You Will Be Like a Watered Garden…
A well-watered garden is a powerful image of creativity, abundance, fruitfulness. When asked to describe or picture heaven, I often see it as a garden. The Prophet Isaiah, wrote these words: And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will beContinue reading “And You Will Be Like a Watered Garden…”
The Archetypal Appeal of the Vista
These are two images of the Syon Vista – one of the three great vistas in Kew Gardens which together form a triangle between Pagoda, Palm House and riverside viewpoint. And as I stood there a few days ago, I was reminded of why we love a long, straight vista. The vista, or avenue, draws the spectatorContinue reading “The Archetypal Appeal of the Vista”
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