Family and friends gathered … horses had been fed, watered and
were out in the field on the Downs ...
 |
| Downland View |
... the day was cold, but dry and sunny at
least …
The cat had disappeared … Bertie is not too keen on
visitors!
 |
| Well in this photo - she's hoping someone will throw the ball for her ... but that someone just wanted to have a zizz! |
The beloved dog was greeting
all visitors, happy just being around her two-legged pals … this photo is from the end of Summer last year.
I think there were 16 of us … as I’m no longer required to
help – that eliminates me from knowing numbers or worrying about how many table
settings or seating plans!
 |
| Just making sure I was well watered! Sadly I was driving so that scuppered that! |
I just need to chat away to whomever wished to be talked to …
including the dog!
Chocolate eggs were dotted around the garden for garnering in
later on …
 |
| Egg planting session here |
... strange custom to have plants that give us chocolate – but they do …
especially as some of you recently mentioned about chocolate mint …
 |
| Rockery - rosemary in front, bluebells beyond, shrubs and many other plants |
So here’s some photos of the day and the garden … this is
before the full spring blooms were out … it is now meant to be late Spring
early Summer – but it is raining!
 |
| Beech tree underplanted with cyclamen - where the hammock sits |
Over the years the garden has matured and changed … it is not
the easiest soil to garden on … chalk – doesn’t help – this wet spell will have
improved its lot immeasurably …
 |
| Japonica |
Right off we go – pictures and some notes – on names of
flowers, trees etc … (well some of them anyway!) …
well that was the post that was!
 |
| Wild naturally planted rockery - Downs in distance, with primroses, bluebells and cowslips |
Enjoy your fresh air breaks ... see how many plants, flowers, trees etc you can identify ... if not - check out later on ... and watch them change as we go through the seasons ... not too quickly please for this third-ager!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
67 comments:
Just beautiful.
We share our lives with an introverted cat too. Pleased to interact with one or two selected people (at times of his choosing) but averse to crowds.
The garden looks blissful. I would happily wander around in it, sniffing, stroking and admiring.
I am usually a tad jealous of your frequent rain, but we had buckets of the lovely stuff last night.
Nice view on the Downs ! Do you have a cat now ?
I am back from Egypt and miss the sunshine !
Beautiful pictures. Sounds like you had a fab time. I agree, I am jealous of the rain you are having 😀.
Beautiful photos! Here Easter is the beginning of autumn, not spring, so all those pagan seasonal references don't quite work, but for children, chocolate always works, of course! (As a Pratchett fan, they are, of course, laid by the Soul Cake Duck)
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I love the smell of chocolate mint. You have reminded me to go look for it in my gardens. Now where did I plant it?
It's so gorgeous. I'm a little jealous now. I was at work all day on Easter.
Regardless of the poor soil, the garden looks wonderful. My perennial beds are just a jumping now, and I adore them at this stage, before they bloom and the greens are so fresh.
Have a wonderful day,
Andrea
@ EC – it is a gorgeous garden and lovely to wander around in and admire the plantings etc … we’ve had very little rain in the south east – so are in dire need of the rain, just would rather it didn’t come at the beginning of early summer!
@ Gattina – good to see you and thank you … no cat though.
@ Murees – thank you re the photo selections … it was fun and good to be together. I gather the Cape is desperate for rain … we needed it here, so these last few days have helped …
@ Sue – thanks … I know you’re down under! Still Easter is easter and chocolate and children (even adult ones … all we are now) are always happy together! I could never get into Pratchett – one day perhaps …
@ Arleen – I know chocolate scented plants are interesting and seductive … I’m sure you’ll find your chocolate mint – I hope so anyway …
@ Robert – it is gorgeous … sorry about the working, but then there are the days off …
@ Karen – thanks
@ Andrea – the garden is well planted now – the plants survive our dry weather. It’s lovely when the plants start to burst out … so quite agree with you there … it is really greening up here ...
Cheers to you all – we’ve had quite a lot of rain, which in the south east corner of England we were desperate for … so that’ll bring on the plantings … enjoy the weekend - Hilary
I love your photos. We've had an explosion of bluebells on the estate where I live as well. I love seeing the blue haze over the ground as we drive through the woods.
Cait @ Click's Clan
Beautiful photos, especially the cyclamen under the beech tree! (Glad you mentioned what they were - my knowledge amounts to 'purple flowers under that tree'!) :-)
Your post paints a picture of a lovely life! How nice to enjoy a beautiful garden in a picturesque location!
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I may go weeks without seeing the cat in the barn and think it left, only to find its new hiding place.With herd dogs it keeps its distance.
Beautiful pictures. So good of you to include the dog in the conversation! :-)
Greetings from London.
@ Click - thanks so much ... we have an explosion of bluebells too - just not in the garden ... on the verges and in the woodland around - that blue haze is quite extraordinary isn't it ...
@ Annalisa - glad you now know that there are cyclamen growing! Actually in a spread like this under the bowing beech tree they are spectacular ...
@ Bazza - yes - it is a lovely place ... with a garden and entertainment to match ...
@ Steve - Bertie is an indoor cat! But no doubt a hedge gave him some protection and the fields beyond if he feels like wandering ... so no barns to hide out in ...
@ Mario - thanks and I know I need to converse with the dog when I'm over there ... she's good company - doesn't answer back!!
Cheers and thanks ... so glad you enjoyed the photos and views ... enjoy the weekend - Hilary
Better late than never! And beautiful at any time.
Those old English gardens are a treat.
Gorgeous images, Hilary, and that black and white cat reminds me of our last cat. We get enough rain around the Canadian west coast that I don't envy you, but isn't all that moisture what gives English ladies the most beautiful skin?
I love the flowers and I would really like to lounge in that hammock and enjoy the day!
Such a lovely time of year in the garden, it changes almost daily. Tomorrow I'll be swapping our beautiful Downs for the rugged mountains of Scotland for a few days. Different flora, different forna!
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Looks like a wonderful time! That Bertie looks like she's part of my clan! haha.
Love the table setting...beautiful china and all the special things like salt cellars, etc. I love that kind of stuff!
Your garden is marvelous and give perfect feeling of "spring "
Looks like blessings of spring showering upon as flowers are gorgeous!
Shy cat is cute.
@ Anabel - yes a relief from the A-Z ... but such a lovely interlude to be a part of: so beautiful.
@ Alex - our English gardens are a real treat - you are so right.
@ DG - we had a black and white cat as kids ... but he loved people! They are lovely animals to have around sharing our space though. In recent years our rainfall in the south-east has been varying ... and this past year we've had very little. That rain is meant to give us wonderful skins ... mine was good!
@ Truedessa - having a lounging afternoon in the hammock would be so good wouldn't it ... new mown grass with the buzz of insects and some gorgeous flower scents wafting by ... warm sun and a light breeze ...
@ Keith - enjoy Scotland - a great change of scenery ... flora and fauna - it'll be gorgeous - lucky you ...and by the time you're back the plants will have dramatically changed ...
@ Betsy - it was a thoroughly good day ... and that Bertie is almost a she -but not quite! That must have been an early photo of a young Bertie ... yes, I thought you'd like the table ... it is done well ...
@ Baili - wish the garden was mine ... but I go and enjoy. The rain will have been enjoyed by the plants and outdoor life ... we needed the rain. Bertie is a delight ...
Cheers to you all - thanks for visiting and enjoying the garden ... Hilary
Such great pictures!
And how do I get to not being in charge of anything? That would be a perfect day for me!
Did you that American cats, of the regular variety, look different from European cats? Yours are shorter and rounder, sort of. I noticed it on my visits to Sweden. Anyway, the cat is very pretty and I'm glad the dog is more friendly. Love your pictures, spring is a good time to be alive. (You know I dread the hot summer here.)
Thanks for sharing these photos! I love that you don't have to keep track of table numbers and how many people are coming. Just wonderful! You get to enjoy the moment. Love the vibrant colors of those eggs!
I need to get out for a walk or a hike. Nature always rejuvenates me!
~Jess
What lovely photos and it looks like a delightful celebration was had by all. I think a nap in a hammock over a bed of cyclamen and then a little hunt for garden chocolate sounds like an ideal way to spend an afternoon.
Great photos and it is always better late than never! It looks like you had a great time and anything chocolate is good with me:)
Chocolate eggs would be much tastier than hard-boiled.
Love,
Janie
Oh, a beautiful Easter!
Sounds lovely and cheerful. I cooked a turkey and we invited some friends, for an impromptu Easter dinner. They played music which is a real treat. Thx for your kind comments during A-Z. Courtney - Maui Jungalow
@ Phillip - many thanks ... re the not being in charge of anything .. I suspect just get old!!
@ Inger - interesting ... so it looks like north American cats have evolved. Perhaps that's why Bertie disappears ... he's a he!! Still the dogs are chatty ... only one at the moment. Spring is a good time to enjoy life ... it's meant to be warming up here this week ... I know how you aren't happy with your summer heat ...
@ Jess - yes I can relax... trouble is I enjoy being busy! I hope you had a lovely walk ..
@ Deborah - we had a good time ... and a nap in the hammock is always good!
@ Birgit - well it couldn't be during the A-Z ... that'd have stretched my brain to bursting point!
@ Janie - sometime hard-boiled eggs are delicious ... but chocolate doesn't do anyone any harm either!
@ Sage - thank you ... it was a lovely Easter ...
@ Courtney - oh well done on cooking up a turkey for your Easter - impromptu dinners are wonderful, especially if friends turn up with their own instruments and make music for all the guests ... sounds lovely ...
Cheers to one and all - thanks for coming by ... cheers Hilary
The garden looks like nirvana. Beautiful photos. A bit sorry you could not adequately 'water' yourself :) but I am sure the rest of it made up.
Happy Monday and week!
Hi Hilary, that looks like it was a wonderful day. I love your garden but especially the beech tree with the cyclamen underneath it - purple gorgeousness. Have a great week.
So beautiful! It's looks like it was an enchanting day!
Sounds like a lovely day, Hilary. Our cats tend to disappear when guests arrive, too. Thanks for sharing some of the garden plants with us.
What a beautiful day you had. The setting couldn't have been more perfect with the rosemary in full bloom and the sun spreading cheer.
Looks like you had a beautiful day. Dogs are great listeners and in Millie's case sometimes dominates the conversations. :)
hi grandblogmum
happy belated easter!
looks like you had a really nice time. lots of food, drinks and chatting with friends and family. hope you found a lot of chocolate eggs as you trekked through the garden. the plants, trees and flowers are so pretty. for sure you enjoyed the day.
@ Nila - it is nirvana ... but a lot of work, happily done. I know the trials of having to drive myself home ... ah well - there have been days! It was just lovely being there and joining in ...
@ Pamela - sadly it's not my garden - but the beech tree is certainly a feature ... as you say at this time of year purple gorgeousness ...
@ Holly - many thanks ... it's always good to be there ...
@ Emily - some animals do tend to stay away with visitors ... just we're not used to cats disappearing off ... but this one does. I'm happy to name the plants - keeps me in check!
@ Lee - we were lucky with the weather ... while the setting is glorious and some sun - which was somewhat sporadic ...
@ Teresa - dogs are great listeners ... yes I gather Millie does like the limelight! But you're obviously enjoying her and that's the main thing ..
Cheers to you all - looks like our summer might have just popped up this week - in time for our Spring bank holiday weekend - used to be Whit Monday following Whit Sunday ... so we're hoping for really hot summer weather for the long weekend ... Thanks for visiting - Hilary
That looks delightful. That's exactly what an Easter meal should be like.
Hi Hilary. Thanks for commenting on Alex's blog about decluttering. And here's to decluttering with vengeance.
Love your pictures. This is my first year foraging. Now I'm seeing pictures of plants, our woods and even my own yard, differently.
Wishing you a yummy day!
What a lovely place! I hope Bertie reappeared when all was quiet!
Never too late for Easter pics. Looks delightful and glad you got to just enjoy it all. I bet spring has really sprung by now- lush trees, flowers, and greenery.
Thanks for sharing your Easter celebrations, Hilary. ☺ Cats generally tend to be less sociable than dogs. Both are cuties, though! I hope the weather has warmed up in the meantime. We're getting a lot of rain and it's a bit chilly.
Sounds like you had a wonderful day.
"Better late than never", my mom used to say, so a belated celebration can be just as enjoyable. Glad you had a good time. Appreciate you sharing the day with us. Have a great week! :)
It is raining so much here, I haven't been outside nearly enough. Lovely garden and so colorful.
Great pictures! I've been enjoying the weather until this week's rain. My allergies don't like all the pollen though.
Gorgeous!
I particularly love that beech tree photo.
What a beautiful place to spend Easter!
@ Lenny – you scraped in while I was posting … so lovely to see you here; I know – Easter has gone once again … I had sufficient chocolate eggs I think!! It’s good to see the garden and show off the plants and flowers …
@ Jacqui – isn’t it – a lovely time … full of family and friends with good home-made food all round …
@ the Happy Whisk – pleasure to visit you about de-cluttering … and yes, with a vengeance! That’s good that you’re taking yourself out and about and learning about the plants … it’s always good to know what they are and their uses …
@ Lynn – I’m sure Bertie reappeared … he couldn’t miss out on his creature comforts!
@ Joanne – well this year it wasn’t too late … and yes it was a good break in the middle of the A-Z. Spring has really sprung – lush trees and we’ve had some rain – bliss!
@ Debbie – I know … cats love their own family members – others not so much. Dogs just want to be with you. Well I think the weather is warmer inland, we seem to be having cooling clouds – but no north wind thankfully.
@ Beste – it was a lovely day …
@ Karen – ‘better late than never’ is a good turn of phrase and just right for these pictures …
@ Susan – have you got loads of rain too - yes it is a lovely garden … beautiful place …
@ Kelly – oh gosh sorry about your allergies and the pollen – thankfully I don’t suffer … but feel for those that do
@ Lynda – it is a lovely garden and the beech makes a perfectly positioned photo with the cyclamen underneath it …
@ Diane – it’s always good to be there …
Cheers and thanks so much for your visits - Hilary
Hello Hilary!
Love always your beautiful posts and I like so much to read your nice comments on the blog of our dear friend Inger!
Wishing you and yours a lovely week ahead.
Kind regards from Sonia, São Paulo, Brazil.
I hope that all is well with you and your family and friends. I have been thinking of you since last night. I just want to let you know that I am praying for people of England and for the families who lost their loved ones and who are wounded.
Your posts have brought me so close to you and to England in general that the first two years of my married life that I spent in England do not seem so far away in time. My husband sends his regards as well.
Stay safe and take care.
God Bless
- Munir
Bless! How lovely it is like a round robin of your events in words and photos. Very positive and inspirational x
I love your cat and dog and what a beautiful setting for an easter egg hunt. Kim
This year for Easter we hid hollow plastic eggs with small Lego toys inside for the kids. Reduced their chocolate intake considerably, though I admit I missed the extra treats myself...
Beautiful photos! Loved this post.
Hi Hilary,
Eventually, I do end up gracing your amazing blog with one of my sometimes rambling comments.
Seemed like a fun time. I have plenty of chats with a certain dog.
Thank you for this, Hilary.
Gary
My cats are always happy to see company, but they also meet me at the door, meowing. I think they're secretly dogs. I used to have normal cats who didn't enjoy company. ;) The garden is lovely, and what a fun gathering!
@ Sonia – lovely to see you here –thanks for coming over and as you know I went and looked at your mother’s tapestries and craft work … just beautiful.
@ Munir – thanks for your thoughts here re the terrible news Manchester experienced this week … so sad for all the families and friends.
I know you have very happy memories of your time in England and am glad my blog gives you some reminder insights into your time here. Thank you both for your best wishes …
@ Madeleine – just a simple post after the frenetic A-Z … delighted it inspired and showed positivity …
@ Kim – it’s not my home … but it is lovely to be there and I enjoy the times I get to be around. Fun setting for an Easter egg hunt isn’t it …
@ CD – well that makes a great deal of sense – we’re all of the adult variety – so chocolate it was! Sorry you missed out on those chocolate extras!
@ Nas – thanks for coming over … and for enjoying the post.
@ Gary – good to see you – just hope things ease up for you. I know you have plenty of chats with a certain female – dog! Lovely happy times for you …
@ Shannon – oh yes cats do like to tell you they are around. I’m sure they cross over sometimes – dogs are cats, and cats are dogs … thank you the garden is a delight as too the gathering …
Cheers to you all – have happy and enjoyable weekends - Hilary
How lovely not to be the organiser anymore. Nothing happens unless I organise it, so I'm afraid these days very little happens! Great to see your images. :-)
I suppose I'm like cats too. When I was a kid, I'd disappear in my room if there were guests around. Of course, when we grow up, this is no longer an option. I remain a cat at heart though. But someday, I would love to own a dog, preferably a German Shepherd. Those were lovely pics of your garden.
lovely spring photos Hilary thank you - I can sense the spring in your step.
The flowers are beautiful. Not sure what I like seeing better: the blossoms or the candy? ;)
Elsie Amata
Such a beautiful post, Hilary! I was just in the downs a dew days ago. It was all a buzz with bees! Such a beautiful place to visit.
What beautiful surroundings, Hilary. It's cheering to see your spring pictures as we slip into winter here in NZ.
@ Maria - good to see you ... and yes not having to think helps enjoy the day a great deal! Glad you enjoyed the photos ...
@ Chicky - thanks a cat and a dog I'd love ... but for now I have none and share others when I visit. German Shepherds are wonderful animals ... sadly not my garden ... but it is beautiful to be in ...
@ Susan - I hope the Spring will come into my step - but it is lovely being around and see the plants and beauty around us ...
@ Elsie - I'd take nature any day ... but the odd piece of indulgence doesn't do us any harm does it ...
@ Sharon - oh how lovely you were able to get over again and to spend some time down on the South Coast - at the moment it is glorious here. Buzzing with bees - excellent ... and yes such a lovely place to visit.
@ Juliet - I know you're slipping into winter and finally it is lovely here - the south-east coast has finally come into early summer. The gardens are a delight ...
Thanks for visiting everyone - have peaceful and blessed weekends - cheers Hilary
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