Early morning amble

Some mornings it can be jolly worthwhile to get out there and have an amble about, see the place, and cast a beady eye on the seasons as they progress! At this time of year this endeavour can be something of a challenge, it being so frightfully cold, and one is forgiven for not even thinking of crossing the threshold until the fire has been lit and we’ve breakfasted thoroughly on devilled kidneys and kedgeree. However, you must be strong, and set your face against such agreeableness! Hasten to the back door with a spring in your step (and perhaps a hot toddy in your belly) and set forth to enjoy the truly glorious light that is cast when the new day is just beginning!

All is peaceful on the Rock Bank

The old Smokebush that sprawls on the Rock Bank ha-ha. The autumn colours of this plant are incredible

Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys’ drooping its autumn glory over the toolsheds

Mahonia lomariifolia looking triumphant in a corner of the Old Garden. Major Johnston introduced this plant from China in 1931

Shadows being cast in the Lilac Circle

View down into the Fuchsia Garden. The hardy fuchsias in particular benefited from the unseasonably mild autumn, and have gone on flowering well past their bed time

The cheeky chickens from Hidcote Manor Farm have joined us, also taking their usual morning stroll about the place

The pig pen is marked by a certain stillness these days. The pigs are here, but not in their pen (if you follow my meaning..)

Lime Avenue, which ends with a statue of the Roman god Hercules

 

Happy New Year chumrades; I’d like to wish you all the very best for 2012! This is to be my last year at Hidcote (groan!) and so my last year sailing aboard the Careership! If you are contemplating a visit to the garden this year then please feel free to get in touch, my email address is bertiebainbo at gmail dot com (I’ve translated this into written form to thwart the spam pirates sailing these murky waters).