Post 60 Travelogue

Walking, Wildlife, the Wales Coastal Path and others, all with photographs.

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  • This is my Travelogue
  • Walks
    • Castle Howard
    • Newby Hall and Gardens
    • Lockdown Walks
    • Scampston Hall, the Park and Gardens
    • RHS Harlow Carr
    • Kenfig Pool Walk
    • Llanrhidian to Llanmadoc Walk
    • Burry Port to Pembrey Country Park
    • Peterston Wentloog to Dyffryn Newport
    • Loughor Estuary part 4 – Pwll to Burry Port
    • Loughor Estuary part 3: Machynys to Pwll – Llanelli by the Sea
    • Parc Slip Nature Reserve
    • Lougher Estuary Part 2: Llanelli Wetlands to Machynys and Bwlch y Gwynt
    • Penclawdd to Llanrhidian
    • Oxwich to Port Eynon
    • Lougher Estuary Part 1: Lougher to Llanelli Wetlands
    • A Walk Around Llangynwyd Village
    • Loughor Castle to Penclawdd
    • Pengam to Peterstone Wentlooge
    • East Moors to Pengam
    • Port Eynon to Rhossili
    • Cowbridge Oasis
    • Castle-upon-Alun and Coed-y-Bwl Nature Reserve.
    • Three Cliffs to Oxwich
    • Caswell Bay to Three Cliffs Bay
    • The Mumbles to Caswell Bay
    • Swansea Marina to The Mumbles
    • Somerset Views
    • Jersey Marine to Port Tennant
    • A Stroll around Cosmeston Lakes
    • Further trips to Cwm Colhuw and Nature Reserve
    • Aberavon to Baglan/Briton Ferry
    • Visit to Dinefwr
    • Kenfig Pool to Margam
    • Cardiff Bay to Penarth Cliff Top
    • Rest Bay, Porthcawl to Kenfig Pool
    • Newton Point to Rest Bay, Porthcawl
    • Ogmore to Newton Point
    • St. Andrew’s Major Circuit Photos
    • Penarth to Sully Walk
    • Porthkerry to Fontygary Walk
    • Fontygary to Gileston,Limpert Bay Walk
    • Limpert Bay, to Summerhouse Bay Walk.
    • Summerhouse Bay to Cwm Colhuw Walk
    • Cwm George and the Salmon Leaps Walk
    • Cwm Colhuw to Nash Point Walk
    • An Interlude at Cefn Onn
    • Nash Point to Dunraven Bay Walk
    • Aberthaw Nature Reserve
    • Dunraven Bay to Ogmore Castle Walk
    • Barry Island to Porthkerry Walk
    • Return to Cwm Colhuw Nature Reserve
    • An Evening Return Visit to Aberthaw
  • Photo Galleries
    • Castle Howard Photos
    • Newby Hall and Gardens Photos
    • Scampston Hall and Gardens Photos
    • RHS Harlow Carr Photos
    • Kenfig Pool Photos
    • Llanrhidian to Llanmadoc Photos
    • Burry Port to Pembrey Country Park Photos
    • Peterston Wentloog to Dyffryn Newport Photos
    • Loughor Estuary part 4 – Pwll to Burry Port Photos
    • Loughor Estuary part 3: Machynys to Pwll Llanelli by the Sea Photos
    • Parc Slip Nature Reserve Photos
    • Penclawdd to Llanrhidian Photos
    • Lougher Estuary Photos Part 2: Llanelli Wetlands to Machynys and Bwlch y Gwynt
    • Lougher Estuary Photos Part 1: Lougher to Llanelli Wetlands
    • A Walk Around Llangynwyd Village Photos
    • Loughor Castle to Penclawdd Photos
    • Pengam to Peterstone Wentlooge Photos
      • East Moors to Pengam Photos
    • Port Eynon to Rhossili Photos
    • Cowbridge Oasis Photos
    • Oxwich to Port Eynon Photos
    • Castle-upon-Alun and Coed-y-Bwl Nature Reserve Photos
    • Three Cliffs to Oxwich Photos
    • Caswell Bay to Three Cliffs Bay Photos
    • The Mumbles to Caswell Bay Photos
    • Swansea Marina to The Mumbles Photos
    • Somerset Views Photos
    • Jersey Marine to Port Tennant Photos
    • A Stroll around Cosmeston Lakes Photos
    • Further trips to Cwm Colhuw and Nature Reserve Photos
    • Aberavon to Baglan/Briton Ferry Photos
    • Visit to Dinefwr Photos
    • Kenfig Pool to Margam Photos
    • Rest Bay, Porthcawl to Kenfig Pool Photos
    • Newton Point to Rest Bay, Porthcawl Photos
    • Ogmore to Newton Point Photos
    • St. Andrew’s Major Circuit
      • Cardiff Bay To Penarth Cliff Top Photos
    • Penarth to Sully Photos
    • Porthkerry to Fontagary Photos
    • Font-y-gary to Gileston Photos
    • Limpert Bay to Summerhouse Bay Photos
    • Summerhouse Bay to Cwm Colhuw Photos
    • Cwm Colhuw to Nash Point Photos
    • Cefn Onn Photos
    • Nash Point to Dunraven Bay Photos
    • Aberthaw Nature Reserve Photos
    • Dunraven Bay to Ogmore Castle Photos
    • Return to Cwm Colhuw Nature Reserve Photos
      • Cwm George and the Salmon Leaps Photos
    • Barry Island to Porthkerry Photos

RHS Harlow Carr

JUNE – REASONS TO RELAX

I walk in a garden

And my soul lies back

My lungs fill like sails

My shoulders relax

My heart strings are pulled

By the scent of the breeze

My thoughts gently gathered

My worries kindly eased                           (Nel Whatmore)

Harlow Carr is a garden for all seasons. It is set in rural North Yorkshire about a mile or so from Harrogate. It is a garden to inspire the amateur gardener, the nature lovers, and the plant enthusiasts. The 58-acre site is laid out into several diverse areas of interest, herbaceous borders, wildflower meadows, kitchen and scented gardens, an alpine zone, woodland and streamside walks and a teaching garden.

We began our tour in the teaching garden with its pond area and dry gravel area. In and around the pond were pure white spathes of Arum Lilies, pink spires of Water Hyacinth, billowy yellow Flag Irises, beautiful serene Water Lilies, flower spikes of Fiipendula purpurea just emerging and the gigantic stems and leaves, like elephants’ ears, of the stately Gunnera manicata. In the dry garden were lots of different grasses, Catmint and Sea Hollies. All the plants and gravel were buzzing and crawling with insects, spiders, ladybirds, wasps, and bees. Everywhere you looked there was a creepy crawly.

Pond & Learning Centre

 

 

The pond with the learning centre in the background.

 

 

Gravel area

 

 

Planting in the gravel area.

 

 

 

In the learning centre were a myriad of horticultural books and planting demonstrations. There was also an exhibition of embroidery which depicted the gardens landscapes.

Embroidery Panels
Embroidery Panels
Embroidery Panels
Embroidery Panels
Photograph
Photograph
Photograph
Photograph

Embroidery Panels and Photographs

Panel 3
Panel 4
Panel 5

Individual Embroidery Panels

LakeThe path meandered past a small lake “ The Queen Mother’s Lake” which was covered with Water Lily pads and Frog bit. Heavy plantings of Flag Iris, Flowering Rush, Marsh Marigolds and Dog Daisies  grew on an island in and around the lake.

Grey Wagtail

 

In the middle was a thatched bird house on which a Grey Wagtail had perched. Wagging its tail for all its worth. Enchanting! Moorhens and Mallards were wading through the Water lilies to reach clear water.

 

The lakeside gardens were up next. All were featured in the television series “ Gardens through Time”. Here were exhibition gardens featuring quite a bit of hard landscaping. Insects made an appearance in their masses: bees, ladybirds, damsel, and dragonflies. Planting was different in each of the gardens showcasing Shrubs, Roses, Grasses, Ferns,  Perennials and small trees. Each in its own garden setting. The Garden of Contrasts reflect Gertrude Jekyll’s consideration of colour and texture.

Exhibit garden 1

 

 

A Garden of Contrasts

 

 

 

 

Exhibit garden 2

Diarmuid Gavin’s

Garden

With Moon Gate

Takes features from historical gardens with a contemporary twist with modern materials, creating a low-maintenance space.

Exhibit garden 3

 

John Brook’s influenced Garden.

The garden features a simple patio softened by foliage and silver birches, which add height and structure.

 

Lakeside path

 

At the other end of the lake the path skirted the South Field and passed under single Willows, Silver Birches, Oaks and Beeches.

 

 

Before entering the Woodland area proper, the trees were in greater numbers and were joined by an under storey of shrubs, ferns, and bulbs. Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Azaleas and Cherry Trees featured strongly. The woodland paths wandered hither and thither; around every corner there was a photogenic vista. It seemed like a fairy-tale land.

Woodland

Among the trees , children were entertained with giant sculptures made of Willow, wood and stone. We found the Lochness Monster here standing over and protecting a stone hump-back bridge. While the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) stood surveying the children’s play area. Extremely tall carved wooden totem poles, willow work dinosaurs, squat stone trolls, statuesque stone columns guarded by fierce stone lions confronted you as you meandered down small trails under the dappled shade of the majestic trees. Dotted throughout the understorey were bright patches of red, pink, white  and purple flowers. Jewels piercing the myriad hues of green.

Lochness Monster

Lochness Monster

Guardian Lions

Guardian Lions

Stone Troll

Stone Troll

Dinosaur

A Dinosaur

Totem Pole

Totem Poles

BFG

BFG

A Giant Ant

A Giant Ant

As you stood still or sat on a bench in a secluded part of the wood you could hear bird song, and if we were really lucky, we would catch a glimpse of Robins, Blackbirds, Sparrows, Finches and Pigeons.

As we emerged from the dappled shade of the woodland, we entered a rockery area and nestled on its outskirts was BETTY’S TEA HOUSE. (A subsidiary of the world – famous Betty’s Tea Rooms in Harrogate). We were just ready for a cream tea, scones with lashings of cream and jam, finger sandwiches, little cakes, and a pot of English Tea. Divine! The bustle and chatter of people enjoying a welcome rest and the chink of the china teacups was delightful. Discussions about the planting and lay out of the gardens was prevalent among the conversations around us. Conversations which we enthusiastically joined.

Bettys Tea House

The rockery bed was covered with delicate Slipper orchids, cool blue Himalayan Poppies (Meconopsis) and several varieties of fern. A serene backdrop to the busy tea rooms area.

After refreshments we followed the paths leading towards the Kitchen Garden where all manner of vegetables, fruit and fruit trees were laid out in serried ranks and raised beds. I only wished my allotment looked so pristine. Then onto the scented and foliage gardens passing through meadows of grasses, from small to gigantic, which were punctuated with splashes of colour supplied by tall purple Alliums and Salvias, orange and yellow Welsh Poppies and frothy, candy floss blooms of Butterfly Stonecrop. In amongst all this abundance of flora rose an unusual windmill whose arms were giant Sycamore seed pods.

Meadow Grasses 1
Meadow grasses 2
Windmill

The scented garden was an olfactory delight with Roses, Dianthus, Peonies, Phlox, Buddleia and Jasmine all vying for space in the small confines of the garden which was contained within Privet Hedges. There were quiet little spaces where you could rest and watch the people pass by listening to their “ooos and ahhhs” as they commented upon the scents and sights.

Quiet space

Next up for our perusal was the alpine zone in and around a large conservatory. Outside were sinks and rocks covered with alpines grouped together with different textures and colours forming a harmonious blend of landscapes. Inside the plants were individually spaced to show their jewel like beauty: flowers of exquisite form and colour, dainty leaves of varying shapes, all exhibited among stones and gravel. There were Saxifrages, Sempervivums, Campanulas and many more gems which I had never heard of.

Sink garden 1
Sink garden 2

It was a glorious day, the sun shone and the breeze was light. We were coming to the end of our tour. Just the streamside walk to complete. I think we left the best to last. A riot of colour, plants of all shapes and sizes, all accompanied by the tinkling sound of running water in the stream. Several varieties of Primulas in lovely pastel colours, numerous Irises in hues from delicate white, through yellow and blue to deepest purple, starry Astrantias, lush Hostas, Ferns and Gunneras grew on each side of the path and along the stream. Stone bridges crossed the stream at various places allowing visitors to view the landscape from every angle.

Streamside walk 1
Streamside walk 2
Streamside walk 3
Streamside walk 4
Streamside walk 5
Streamside walk 6
Streamside walk 7
Streamside walk 8

The poem among the Primulas dedicated to Geoffrey Smith reads:

STREAMSIDE

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God’s heart in the garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

We crossed the last bridge, arriving near the Lochness monster and made our way to the exit. Passing quickly through the gift and plant shop, perusing but resisting to buy too much.

Many of the plants we observed are collated in the Photo Gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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