Monday 4 June 2012

The garden opening at Tillypronie


The skies were mostly blue over Aberdeenshire, praise be, and the scent of azaleas was sweet in the clear air. Despite the dawn forays of rabbits and deer, the borders were blooming, and all seemed well with the world (although the single duckling on the pond caused some concern; hopefully, its mother was just out of sight, ready to return after everyone else had gone home). There were homemade scones and strawberry meringues in the tea tent, and a television on the side so that we could watch the river pageant in London, and admire the fortitude of all those who stood or sailed in the rain. It's a long way from the Thames, up here in the Highlands, yet is it too whimsical to believe there were unseen threads that somehow connected us? A sense of how the past and the present merge together, perhaps, with a gentle hope of what is still to come...




16 comments:

Thrifty Household said...

Fantastic colours...

Justine Picardie said...

Thank you. I like your blog -- the jam looks delicious.

enid said...

Let's hope that what is still to come is all that we wish it to be. What a wonderful patchwork of photos. They fill me with joy and hope. The thought of that tea makes my mouth water. As Oscar Wilde said Where there's tea there's hope. Tillypronie looks gorgeous.

Justine Picardie said...

Many thanks, as always, to Enid: you've just introduced me to a favourite new quote.

jaywalker said...

Beautiful flowers. I am looking forward to eight weeks of the northern summer although the weather at the Queen's pageant wasn't quite up to scratch! Tasmania is in the grip of winter.

We arrive in London early on the 18th and are booked for the Dennis Sever house on that night. Then on Wednesday, something I have always wanted to do - tea at the Ritz!! Then the ball-gown exhibition at the V&A. Can't wait!

Justine Picardie said...

Jaywalker, what a lovely plan for London. The rain has been torrential here, but hopefully it will clear for you, leaving green lawns and roses in the city's parks. If you've got time, go for a stroll around St James' park after tea at the Ritz, and see the ducks on the lake... I also love the rose garden in the Inner Circle of Regent's Park.

jaywalker said...

33Thanks for the suggestion. I have a small request - for your signature for a hardback of Coco which I would like to use as a fundraiser for my women's service club auction in October (as I still have the paperback which you signed). Could you email me at jaywalker43@hotmail.com and I can send you a stamped/addressed envelope with details if you are OK to do that. I thought I could paste it into the fly page.

Lilacs said...

Just lovely, looking at those vivid colours on a day when we have had nothing but grey and rain. Hope your trip is sunny Jaywalker, take a good look at the lush green countryside as you fly in!

jaywalker said...

Thanks, Lilac. We've been watching the UK weather and hoping for a sudden burst of summer! Ill have my ipad so will pop in now and again.

kairu said...

So beautiful! The weather here has been mostly gray and dreary but the flowers are all out...

Last night I met up with several friends to start planning our trip to England next spring...we are going to start in Cornwall and eventually wind up in Scotland (with some days in London somewhere along the way). It may be ten months away but we are all excited beyond anything!

Justine Picardie said...

Kairu, I'm so pleased to hear you are coming to the UK next spring. Do you want suggestions of Du Maurier haunts in Cornwall? And will you get as far north in Scotland as Tillypronie?

Lilacs said...

I'm going away - Venice, yippee! So before I go I thought I would say;
Happy birthday on Thursday Justine, hope you have a sunny day filled with loved ones and treats.
Love that quote Enid, so agree with it.
Kairu, I would recommend a trip to the Minack theatre whilst you're in Cornwall.
Jaywalker, I hope you've landed safely and you have a fab trip, you've certainly got the weather today.

kairu said...

Would love any suggestions for Cornwall! As for making it as far as Tillypronie...anything is possible! With ten months to plan there's no telling what mad adventures will pop up here and there...We are people who love books, food, and taking millions of photos from slightly different angles (as all of us are avid photographers).

Unknown said...

wow,what colorful flowers.I like these all flowers.These are likely that.It gives relax mind.Thank you.

kredyt konsolidacyjny

Phone Psychic Reading said...

http://simplypsychics.blogspot.com/

Phone Psychic Reading said...

http://simplypsychics.blogspot.com/