Nature – TRAVEL WORDS

Flower Portrait

Hibiscus is a genus of common flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world.

Sculpture by the Lakes

Simon and Monique Gudgeon are the creators of Sculpture by the Lakes, with over 100 sculptures in this 26 acre sculpture park many of them around the level meandering paths around the North Lake and Rainbow Lake. It makes for a lovely leisurely stroll through native trees and planting. There are several waterside venues available for private hire and an excellent Pantry offering self-service fresh, seasonal food with plenty of seating outdoors and around the park where to relax and unwind.

Showcasing the work of sculptor Simon Gudgeon and more than twenty other sculptors among the garden designed by Monique.

As Jo loves to be beside water I am sure she’d love this walk:

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This is a Charles Elliott ‘Verdigris and Gold Sail Sphere’ Handmade Metal Garden Lighting Sphere Sculpture

“Search for Enlightenment” by artist Simon Gudgeon.

‘Leaf Spirit’ by Simon Gudgeon (close-up)

‘Allium’ by artist David Cutler. (close-up)

‘Sphere’ by Simon Gudgeon “Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” Henry Van Dyke

‘Isis’ by Simon Gudgeon. The sculpture is inspired by the Egyptian Ibis bird, a wading bird characterized by a long, down-curving bill.

“Family Group” sculpture by artist Beatrice Hoffman

Set in 26 acres alongside Dorset’s River Frome, with lakes, streams, meandering paths and plenty of places to sit it’s somewhere you can leave your busy life behind and enjoy peace and tranquillity in a beautiful and serene environment.

Jo’s Monday Walk

Flower Portrait

Bearded Irises ‘Kent Pride’ or ‘Pride of Kent’, a cultivar known for its distinct chestnut-brown standards and yellow falls

Seen growing among Bronze Fennel at RHS Wisley. I have the Bronze Fennel, I think I need to buy some of these irises to plant with it.

Bearded Iris ‘Kent Pride’ (often referred to as ‘Pride of Kent’) is a classic, award-winning tall bearded iris bred in the 1950s. It is highly prized for its rich, burnished coppery-brown tones

A River Walk

I do like to be close to water and if it can’t be the sea then a river will do as long as there is a walk alongside it. When I lived in Ludlow, Shropshire, I often walked along the River Teme doing a loop between the Dinham bridge near the castle and Ludford bridge. It was a pretty walk taking in the Whitcliffe common and the native woodland.

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So when I chose Dorchester for my recent holiday I was pleased to find that there is a river walk which takes you out to the water meadows. And further afield if you want.

Where the river divides. Left into town, right towards the water meadows and blue bridge.

The river divides into several streams in this area. This is the Mill Stream which powered Friary Mill.

One Swan a swimming (there were actually two)

The Blue Bridge – leads out to the water meadows

Water meadows. The system of water channels, weirs and hatches to regulate the flow of water was developed by Dutch engineers in the 17th century. A small amount of water meant that the grass continued to grow even through the winter. They are no longer maintained but in the late spring this is smothered in buttercups.

A green tunnel – lovely shade on a hot day

Iris pseudacorus, the yellow flag, yellow iris, or water flag

Wild flowers including comfrey and lady’s smock / cuckoo flower along a nature reserve boardwalk, a weir, the blue bridge and signs that the Romans were here. They built a town here in AD 43 (Durnovaria) and there are several Roman reminders around the town.

Whitebeam. There are lots of native trees growing alongside the river and lots of birds too. Whilst sitting in the riverside reserve I heard many different species: sparrows, song thrush, robin, blue tit, chiffchaff, great tit, blackbird, wren and goldfinch among others. (Thanks to the Merlin app)

It is a lovely flat walk beside the river with several benches on which to sit and enjoy the birdsong and the mallards.

And as I know Jo loves to be beside water this one is for one of her Monday Walks.

Garden Portrait: RHS Rosemoor

My weekend in Bude, north Cornwall was interrupted by the first named storm of the year – Amy. Sunday looked to be the better day so the one I decided to travel 50 mins across to north Devon and visit RHS Rosemoor. Not as big as RHS Wisley in the south-east, but I thought it would be nice to revisit this garden, last seen in April 2011.

The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives – Gertrude Jekyll

Asters and Pompon Dahlias in the Long Border

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine-Silberspinne’

The Herb, Potager and Cottage Garden with shelter

One moves between the new garden and the original garden, created by Lady Anne Palmer, through a tunnel beneath a road passing this little bridge and fabulous Japanese maple.

The Stone Garden has a very Japanese feel

Cercis canadensis commonly known as Redbud trees or Judas trees

Rosemoor House is fairly modest considering it belonged to the Earls of Orford who descended from Horace Walpole. It can now be rented out for holidays. There is a small tea-room at the side.

A Kaleidoscope of colours (Dahlias – some with bees)

The Lakeside in October is ablaze with autumn colour, from the molten leaves of liquidambars to the bright yellow foliage of Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’ and the deep red of Acer palmatum ‘Chitose-yama’ – all reflected on the mirror-like water.

All approaches to the garden involve navigating miles of winding roads, hence Rosemoor is also one of the quietest RHS gardens, but utterly charming and demonstrating how colourful a garden can look in early October.

Jo’s Monday Walk