On Sunday morning I awoke to brilliant sunshine, which was welcome as we were planning to visit one of the Shropshire gardens. We headed off to Dorothy Clive Garden in time for lunch. I was well behaved and avoided the temptation of a ‘naughty cake’ and opted for a delicious cherry scone with butter.
I have not visited the garden at this time of year before and was surprised to find it full of colour with spring bulbs and Rhododendrons that were just beginning to come into flower. In places I noticed that the garden looked a lot more open and empty than on my previous visits. I was saddened to learn from a sign board next to the stump of a felled tree that a number of Oak trees in the garden had succumbed to Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death) meaning they had to be felled to try and stop the spread of the disease.
When we had finished enjoying the garden we weren’t ready to go home so we opted for a scenic detour which led us to find the delightful Sugnall Walled Garden and Tea Room. We enjoyed a refreshing drink, in my case Elderflower Presse, whilst looking out over the walled garden and watching the rise of the moon in the sky. After being suitably refreshed we took a stroll around the kitchen garden before heading off home. I hope to have the opportunity to visit the garden in a few months time when the produce is more advanced and in full fruit.
I thought of you today, Cherie. I was flying a Learjet around south west England (Culdrose, Exeter, Bristol) and was on my way to Anglesey when I decided to land at Shawbury. I had a nice circle over the Wrekin. ( I spent four ‘periods’ at Shawbury at the ATC School there, many airmiles ago.)
I hoped you enjoyed your tour of the Wrekin
It is just beginning to turn green after the winter months.
Four ‘periods’ at Shawbury makes you almost a local
Oh I started my bluebell countryside walks about two weeks ago in Surrey.
They were starting to bloom then.
Last weekend, I did another country walk but this time in Hertfordshire. Wow, more and more of them were out. The woods were so beautiful!
I took so many pictures of them till I got all bluebell’ed out?:D
The bluebells are not quite ready here… But I think next weekend I might go on a bank holiday bluebell quest