Monday, 12 November 2018

A Surprise Garden Ramble


Last week I celebrated a birthday.  I was starting to feel a little peevish with my husband, because he hadn't given me a gift.  Imagine my surprise and delight when I arrived home from work on Saturday afternoon, to see my Mum sitting on the sofa, while my husband gave me my gift, which was tickets for us to take part in the Franklin Hospice Garden Ramble the following day.

Sunday dawned, warm but drizzly (mum brings wet weather with her, any Australians needing rain should get her to visit them), we donned raincoats, walking shoes and carried umbrellas, and had a lovely day visiting large scale country gardens.  I think we managed to visit 11 of the 18 that were open.

The following are some of the gardens, vistas, plants and plantings that caught my eye.








 



 




Meanwhile, I've got a trailer of mulch to spread on my gardens, so that will stop me from thinking I need a house in the country with wonderful views, and perhaps a gardener to help me maintain my dream garden.
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12 comments:

  1. Linda @ kokaquilts12 November 2018 at 17:38

    Some lovely gardens, large scale & very country! I remember feeling the same when I went on a long garden ramble around the Bethlehem, Papamoa area and another one all around Greenhithe... garden envy!

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  2. Karen - Quilts...etc.13 November 2018 at 03:31

    what lovely gardens! I love that swing decorated with flowers and I bet you and your mom had a lovely time catching up on things in the process of seeing the gardens

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  3. Raewyn13 November 2018 at 06:52

    Belated Birthday wishes, Julie!! It sounds like you had an enjoyable day on the ramble...beautiful photos. Sigh, large country gardens are all very good in theorey (she says, looking out the window at her neglected beds!)

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  4. Janie13 November 2018 at 08:23

    Yes, happy birthday and what a fun birthday treat!
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
    The water lilies and the rose/white campion are some of my favorites.
    The gardens remind me of quilts!

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  5. Katrina13 November 2018 at 09:30

    What a lovely way to spend a day, belated birthday wishes Julie, have a good week!

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  6. kiwikid13 November 2018 at 10:17

    Happy belated birthday from me too. Thanks for sharing the gardens, it must have been a beautiful day despite the rain. Is your Mother available for hire??? 😆😆😆

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  7. Leeanne13 November 2018 at 14:01

    WOW!! Some amazing gardens, I bet you came home bursting with inspiration. The same day I was on a Hospice House Tour at Matakana & Leigh, but we were not allowed to take any photo's sadly.

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    Replies
    1. Julie14 November 2018 at 09:47

      I've heard you can't do that on house tours. Such a shame,but understandable.

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  8. Carole @ From My Carolina Home14 November 2018 at 03:05

    Stunningly beautiful garden tour, than you for sharing the views!!

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  9. Mystic Quilter15 November 2018 at 16:44

    Glorious post Julie, and a super surprise birthday gift. An added bonus to looking at these wonderful photos - not a weed in sight!!!

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  10. Mystic Quilter15 November 2018 at 16:44

    Forget to add late birthday wishes!!

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  11. dutchcomfort15 November 2018 at 20:00

    Belated Birthday wishes! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photo’s!

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