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Tuesday 3 August 2021

T Stands For.. time for a new month and a couple of gardens

Hi all, what a strange week it's been - from heatwave to shivering. 

First my Calendar Journal which I am linking to Art Journal Journey and Neet's 'Type' theme.

I used some stencils with different size letters on over my page with Faded Jeans, Shaded Lilac and Blueprint Sketch Distress inks.

I used a number stamp by Aall and Create and Blueprint sketch and then added some spritzed stencil to make some texture. I also stamped another with black ink.

It was only when I started to fill in the first square that I realised that I had stamped July.

It's fixed now!!


Now for the gardens.
Great excitement last week as we arranged to visit a garden with my son and two of our grandchildren.
On the arranged day - we had to prebook - it was raining, so with umbrellas and raincoats we set off to meet them.
We went to Houghton Tower in Lancashire. We hadn't booked for the Tower as we didn't think it would be what the teens would want, but when we were offered the chance ( folk had cancelled) we all said yes!
The Guided tour was very interesting, the teens asked questions and commented afterwards too! By the time we came out the rain had stopped, although still windy and a bit chilly.
We decided to take a short walk in the gardens, which was just as well as that is all it could be!

Not very aptly named unless they were referring to the woodland (private) around the edges,
a small rose garden,
and finally a terraced garden with a strange maze.
The redeeming feature here was a look over the walls towards the Lancashire coast - I bet it's great when it's not rainy

We learnt that the standard is one of the oldest in England and that the white cow was once wild in the area

So, off we went, the guide on the door kindly opened both gates for me to take a photo - I think he surprised hubby.

Oh! The other garden!
Before we went shopping last week we called into a park we have driven past hundreds of times - the access was up a side road.

A bowling green and a Wildflower patch


It has a nice looking cafe...but not today Thank you!




An amusing bench - dedicated to tortoises

Some bee friendly plants

A gated area to enjoy watching the birds, there are feeding stations..
....although these are the only birds we saw
This is the best thing I've seen in ages, free bags to collect later in - no excuses about not being able to carry everything leftover from a picnic to the bin.

On the way back to the car we saw these..

..and the largest head of Hydrangea flowers I have ever seen
As I kept forgetting to take photos when we went out here are some cappuccinos we made with our coffee machine with a pot of Cantuccini biscuits 
It is after all still T Day - so I am joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth for T stands for Tuesday.
I apologise for being late - we can only use one device at a time on our internet and hubby has been booking a holiday!!!!

Thanks for looking, Chris



18 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

Chris you do have so many beautiful gardens near by your home. I love that photos of the gates and your husband peering in. And I am guess those are your grandchildren and son too? And those are huge hydrangeas. I can tell right in the photo how big they are. Nice new calendar for August also. Hope you have had a great T day. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I love your calendar pages. If you hadn't told me, I would never have known about the month mix up. Thanks for sharing August with us using Neet's theme at Art Journal Journey.

I saw the first gardens earlier and laughed at that maze. I thought mazes were supposed to be high. That looks more like a place people walk in and out of for stress relief. I know the name, but can't remember it at the moment. The other garden I believe is much nicer. Not as sculptured, but more user friendly, I think. Is that lamb's ear after the tortoise bench photos?

I am also guilty of not taking photos of my drink when I'm out and about. I think if it's a place we often go, then why bother taking more of the same. I actually like your cappuccinos you made at home with the biscuits. Holiday???? Do tell!!

Thanks for sharing your calendar pages and the two gardens you visited last week, along with your cappuccinos for T this Tuesday, dear friend. Don't worry. You aren't the least bit late!!!

CJ Kennedy said...

I wouldn't mind a 2nd July as the one we had was the wettest on record since weather records were kept from the 1880s! I always enjoy your garden trips. Nice that you got share the trip with your family. I have never seen such giant hydrangea. Spectacular. Happy T Day!

Iris Flavia said...

Beautiful gardens and sculptures.
Good idea with the free bags, too. Hmm, a cappucchino Ihaven´t had in ages! Happy belated T-Day.

Valerie-Jael said...

Your calendar journal pages are beautiful old and new! Love the gardens you visited, that twisty tree is great, as is the bird garden. And of course, cappuccino is always to my taste. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

sirkkis said...

A good idea of a calendar.
Thank you for sharing interesting and beautiful photos.

Lisca said...

I enjoyed the beautiful gardens. And of course I loved that quirky bench with the tortoises, as the tortoise is my favorite animal.
Hubby has booked a holiday? Where are you going?
Happy belated T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca

Neet said...

What a great idea to link your calendar to Type. Lots of stamps you could use there from A & C.
Was interesting to see the visit to Houghton Towers - somewhere we pass each trip to and from the caravan. I now have no need to visit as I have had a whistle stop tour via you - thank you so much. Interesting about the standard and the white cow. Not sure about the wilderness garden, like you!
The bird garden looks lovely and I love the bench with all its carvings.
See you soon maybe
Hugs, Neet xx

Meggymay said...

Lovely photos and it looks like you have had another super countryside walk.
Its a great calendar page as well.
Yvonne xx

Annie said...

I always love how you decorate your calendar pages. I love the use of the stencils for August. I thought I had my calendar days mixed up looking at yours but soon figured out that you begin your week with Monday and I begin with Sunday. And who wouldn’t want 2 Julys? An extra month in the year is a grand idea! Beautiful photos.

craftytrog said...

Great garden photos Chris, I love the tortoise bench!
Your calendar is lovely too, and beautifully fixed!
Alison

Rita said...

Thank you for the trips to the parks! :)

Linda Kunsman said...

I guess you wanted to do July all over again?:):) Love the colors on your new calendar spread.
All I can say about your garden and park tours and Houghton Tower are-WOW!!! Really, you do have the most beautiful gardens to visit and they are everywhere it seems. I have enjoyed every single photo- you know, you could write a photographic book on "Gardens and Parks Not To Miss In England"- in your spare time of course;) Your cappuccino and biscuits are a lovely end to your post. Happy belated T day!

Helen said...

Fab gardens - a treat to be with grandchildren too.

J said...

I enjoyed looking at the photos of your trip, looks a lovely place, shame about the weather but it is England! I loved the bench with the carved heads. Your coffee looks good with the biscuits, happy belated T day Chris, have a good weekend
Jan

Divers and Sundry said...

What a wonderful trip! So nice to be able to share it with family :) Happy T day :)

Let's Art Journal said...

What a beautiful place to spend time with your family and oh my goodness, you were so close to where we live 😁. Loved seeing Haughton Tower, it's well worth a visit! Glad you had fun and Happy T Day wishes! Enjoy the rest of your week too! Hugs Jo x

Darla said...

It sounds like the family get together was successful even in the rain. With all those interesting buildings and gardens to look at it would be hard for me not to enjoy myself no matter the weather. Thanks for the tour.