Flutterby Patch

A beautiful garden

Whenever I want to unwind and spend some time in quiet reflection I visit the beautiful Holehird Garden in Windermere. Managed by volunteers from the Lakeland Horticultural Society it is open to the public throughout the year. The following pictures show how the garden looked last week.

The Society has a collection of 200 different astilbes (above) and 300 hydrangeas (below). Did ever you see such gorgeous shades?

There is always music amongst the trees in the garden but our hearts must be very still to hear it.

- Minnie Aumonier 

Remembering a great lady - Tasha Tudor

Thank you Tasha Tudor for the life you lived, the inspiration you gave to millions and for filling so many lives with sunshine.

To celebrate Tasha Tudor day at my home here in England the bears' best blue and white china was taken from the cupboard and we all enjoyed honey for tea.

Apple picking time

The ‘Discovery’ apple in our small orchard is ready for picking. It has gone from blossom to fruit in just 14 weeks which seems quite amazing. It’s sweet and juicy and never lets us down. With its bright rosy red cheeks it’s a real ‘kids painting’ sort of apple. Scrumptious!

 

I always use my grandad's fruit picking basket which must be over 80 years old by now but is still as strong as the day it was made. Happily English apples are back in fashion and being taken seriously again by growers. With its mouth watering illustrations, Rosanne Sanders' book 'The English Apple' not only captures the character of 122 varieties but gives the reader many factual details as well.

Can't you just smell the scent of gathered apples when you read this verse taken from the poem 'After Trinity' by John Meade Falkner? You can read the full poem in my 'Favourite Poems and Wise Words'

When still the cloudlet dapples
The windless cobalt blue,
And the scent of gathered apples
Fills all the store-rooms through,
The gossamer silvers the bramble,
The lawns are gemmed with dew.