Nearly as many years as I longed for visiting Ireland, I dreamed of visiting York.
We had our cottage near Harrogate and from there went across the different destinations we both had on our wishlist. York was the very MUST SEE on it. But before doing so, there was the very last opportunity on 24th September to visit STILLINGFLEET LODGE Nurseries.
On our way to Stillingfleet, we passed the market town of Ripon and visited its beautiful cathedral.
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| on our way to the cathedral |
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| translates: either never attempt or accomplish, i.e.: try not, do! |
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| there was so much to take in |
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| inside the cathedral, it was breathtakingly stunning |
There was so much to see and to discover. At one point I lost EG who went down some dark steps behind these doors and got locked.... Luckily, somebody from the cathedral heard him banging and he got out. One must always have an eye on this man!
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| This is what greats you first when you are on the entrance of Stillingfleet Nurseries |
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| Very helpful to have these explanations which change with the seasons |
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| the very promising entrance to the show garden |
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| the garden cat |
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| this is the enticing entrance to the new tea room - we looked forward to it for afterwards |
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| welcomed by doves |
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| cute WC |
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| geraniums - one of my preferred perennials |
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| loved the clematis! |
The weather was great and it was easy to take good pictures. Every detail in this garden was charming, the respect for nature so evident. The way how naturally everything lives in harmony side-by-side, just our cup of tea!
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| the family home |
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| all these details reflect the love for nature |
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| suddenly appears a modern garden room |
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| clematis in a beech hedge |
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| fowls in the neighbour's field |
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| not only foliage but also tree's barks were put in evidence |
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| another garden room to explore |
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| this controlled wilderness is exactly what we aim for at home in the bayous |
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| bees, of course |
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| the beehives |
The further we explored, the more I wished we could visit this garden at all the seasons but its autumnal dress was certainly a very nice taster.
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| great plan of the lay-out and very helpful |
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| I loved also the neighbour's cottage! |
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| insect hotel, just simply with reclaimed materials |
Then came the section with all the little helpers:
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| even the baby chicks were allowed to roam freely |
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| the compost heap |
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| autumn bliss: asters |
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| a hint of autumn but it was still very much of summer in the air |
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| every corner had something clever to offer |
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| we could take so much inspiration back home |
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| I love how clever 'the Avenue' has been realized with the square under planting and the low and high mowed grass and the borders in the background |
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| grasses, also a great item in the autumn garden |
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| isn't this lovely? |
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| loved the sempervivum in the groves |
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| all clean!!! |
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| dreaming of steps like that |
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| the lady who invites guests to sit next to her |
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| lovely tea, coffee and cake was had afterwards |
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| the new tea room offers beautiful looks outside and plenty of information about plants, magazines, books - one could stay some more hours to enjoy |
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| here also, you feel the love for detail and natural beauty |
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| the last photo is of the remarkable lady who created and maintains all this, Vanessa Cook |
Dear Vanessa, thank you very very much for a great day in your universe! We utterly enjoyed it and simply regret to live so far away to not to be able to enjoy your paradise throughout the different seasons. Dear readers, if ever you come to Yorkshire, here is the link to visit this wonderful garden and nursery:
stillingfleet lodge nurseries
