Double delight
It is the first day of spring and as I walk around the garden I am greeted by this vision of perfection. It is the glory of spring as the old bloom fades in the back ground the new rose opens full of promise for the new season.
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Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses, a box where sweets compacted lie.
Bridgetown Ford House, originally uploaded by gypsy woman1.
Sunday morning we went to Ford House, this beautiful old heritage house, built-in 1898, but now fully restored and run as a luxury retreat was part of the open garden weekend. It also has markets held here every second Sunday, and this was also market day.
The gardens were just amazing they were designed using old heritage roses mixed with masses of old style cottage garden plants with a background of stately trees and set on the Blackwood river. The effect was magical.
Nannup garden festival-Wombledoone, originally uploaded by gypsy woman1.
This garden was in complete contrast to Holberry House. It was a quirky, meandering cottage garden filled with colour and scents from the roses and lavender. It was on acreage with views to the distant hills.
As well as the gardens there was an art exhibition, craft display and historic photos of the people and places around Nannup, so it was a very full day and we had a delicious lunch at one of the many cafes.
What a great day…
Nannup garden festival-Holberry House, originally uploaded by gypsy woman1.
On Saturday the first garden we visited was Holberry house. It was a large, mature, woodland garden with a very interesting sculpture walk. Some, like this naked lady very classical but most were quite quirky and fun pieces.
Nannup , originally uploaded by gypsy woman1.
This pretty village is surrounded by the karri and marri forests of south-west WA. This weekend it was holding it’s “Festival of Country Gardens” I had seen the brochures advertising it in Margaret River so of course this was our next destination.
The 48km drive from Margaret River was a scenic drive through the state forest and national parks. Very few vehicles so we could drive slowly to take in the scenery.
We arrived and managed to get the very last powered site, again.Our luck is holding…
Laurance winery Margaret River, originally uploaded by gypsy woman1.
As we drove along the coast towards Margaret River we passed through the wine area, approx 60+ cellar doors just waiting for us to call in for a tasting. So many it was hard to decide, then we saw this sculpture and could see the rose gardens in the back ground. Wow, we had to stop, turn round and go back to have a closer look.
Laurance winery had only been open for 4 years and the standard of presentation was perfection. The atmosphere was European when you went into the cellar for the tasting. Lots of very expensive art works and sculptures, even the toilets had art work on the walls and roses in a vase. We bought a bottle of wine to take with us to Jack and Carroll, our next couch surfing hosts
Araluen Botanic Garden, originally uploaded by gypsy woman1.
Today we moved on from Perth. It has been a very enjoyable 16 days we have spent with John and the time just seems to have raced by. As a parting gesture John interviewed us for his “you- tube” films that he produces. Watch this space as I will try to get it linked to my blog…
We went to Araluen Botanic Park only 35km from Perth. This is a beautiful park and the roses where making a brilliant show. We parked Matilda near the rose garden area and Jack struck up a conversation with some young Afghan people. They wanted to take his photo. Jack was more than happy to oblige and after the photo session they invited us to share their lunch. It was a delicious spread and we enjoyed the food and the company.
yellow rose _1014x1089, originally uploaded by gypsy woman1.
Welcome to my creative corner! Here, I share my photos, travel stories, random thoughts, and a bit of myself.
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WRITER OF WEST COUNTRY ROMANCE AND ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
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