Archives for posts with tag: gardens

My beloved sister was also visiting the UK in October. As we don’t live close to each other, I took the opportunity to spend a couple days with her and her partner in London. We had a wonderful time exploring the city, eating and shopping. The weather was summer-like and perfect. Here are some of the highlights:

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This intrigued me. I think it is in Soho.

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So many gorgeous hotels.

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Lunch at The Crypt, in St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square.

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I loved all the layers of history and architecture. This is the Liberty building. The animatronics above the clock depict St George and the Dragon.

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Beautiful Tower Bridge. I stayed not far from here.

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Leaving Camden Market for a walk along the canal.

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Last look at the Camden Canal, near St Mark’s Church. Many narrow boats were moored at it’s edges.

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We enjoyed a remarkable dinner at Nopi in Soho. This was the most succulent Burrata with peaches and crunchy coriander seeds with a delicious dressing.

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The Regent’s Park roses still blooming in abundance, in the middle of October! This one smelled particularly fine.

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The Triton Fountain in The Regent’s Park.

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The Regent’s Park has waterways and a boating lake.

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We watched this gentleman feeding the birds. They were all eating from his hand. The grey goose to the right of him was looking at him so lovingly, and patiently waiting his or her turn for a handful of seed.

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Sunset over the Thames, viewed from the bridge on Narrow Street, district of Limehouse, East London.

I’m planning something big for the autumn and I couldn’t be more excited. This adventure will involve a lot of walking and so much drinking of tea. To prepare I am walking – taking little mini-adventures through the beautiful spring days in Victoria BC.

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Back in March I walked about 12 kilometres to Oak Bay and Fairfield. I collected our friend Annie along the way and we made a few stops in Oak Bay before ending up at Abkhazi Garden for tea. We enjoyed a delicious repast in the teahouse, seated in the window overlooking the garden.

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The garden was not quite at its peak of colour and vibrancy, but still beautiful. We enjoyed walking along the winding paths and meeting a feline visitor.

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Abkhazi Garden is owned and managed by The Land Conservancy (TLC). Read the story of “the garden that love built” here. Check out the teahouse here.

A lovely May day was perfect for a stroll through the grounds at the home of the Lieutenant Governor of BC. There were some baby ducks in the pond, but they wouldn’t stay, or stay together, for a photo.

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As part of our friend Annie’s birthday celebrations, she and I went to the beautiful Abkhazi Garden Teahouse last friday. The weather was exactly as I had hoped – the rain held off until we were cozy at our table beside the window, then poured down and cleared away again for our walk downtown. Somehow rain outside the window makes nice hot tea even more delicious. An account of the history of the Peggy and Nicholas Abkhazi, their life together and the home and garden they built can be found here. Such appreciation for The Land Conservancy who recognized the importance of this place and made it into something the whole world could share.

Built by and with love, Abkhazi Garden in the Fairfield neighbourhood of Victoria BC.

Built by and with love, Abkhazi Garden in the Fairfield neighbourhood of Victoria BC.

A river of green lawn and the path which leads to the summer house, the first building constructed on the property in 1946. In the spring and summer months, this view would be exploding with every colour of flower.

A river of green lawn and the path which leads to the summer house, the first building constructed on the property in 1946. In the spring and summer months, this view would be exploding with every colour of flower.

This lovely mossy rock dominates the upper garden around the house with the rest of the garden seemingly cascading from it creating a pool of green all around.

This lovely mossy rock dominates the upper garden around the house with the rest of the garden seemingly cascading from it creating a pool of green all around.

Tiny autumn cyclamen were in abundance.

Tiny autumn cyclamen were in abundance.

This plant, Billardiera, was so spectacular.

This plant, Billardiera, was so spectacular.

From beside the house, looking out over Fairfield.

From beside the house, looking out over Fairfield.

Delicate little fuchsias in the most pretty pink.

Delicate little fuchsias in the most pretty pink.

Afternoon Tea for two: tea sandwiches, cucumber plus egg salad, tiny quiches, smoked salmon profiteroles, ham and cheese croissants, savoury cheese scones, currant scones with clotted cream and jam, eccles cakes, lavender shortbread cookies, lemon tarts and Philosopher's Blend tea-infused crème brulées. We chose Royal Abkahzi Black Tea, blended especially for the Teahouse by Silk Road Tea.

Afternoon Tea for two: tea sandwiches – cucumber plus egg salad – tiny quiches, smoked salmon profiteroles, ham and cheese croissants, savoury cheese scones, currant scones with clotted cream and jam, eccles cakes, lavender shortbread cookies, lemon tarts and Philosopher’s Blend tea-infused crème brulées. We chose Royal Abkahzi Black Tea, blended especially for the Teahouse by Silk Road Tea.

The rain comes down, all cool and refreshing, as we sip our tea and take our time over the wonderful delectables.

The rain comes down, all cool and refreshing, as we sip our tea and take our time over the wonderful delectables.

The lovely Annie as we both take photos of our towering  treats.

The lovely Annie as we both take photos of our towering treats.

Had a wonderful walk yesterday with our friend M. She lives very close to our beautiful city park. We walked all around the gardens admiring the plantings this year, saw some turtles and baby ducks, and ended our visit over delicious beverages at Heist Coffee Co. on Courtney Street.

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Our long walks in the summer often include the neighbourhood of Fairfield. It’s a quiet, pretty part of Victoria with some very nice beaches, shops and places to walk.

So many gardens have alliums right now, especially these bright beauties.

So many gardens have alliums right now, especially these bright beauties.

Also, daisies.

Also, daisies.

The lovely Fairfield Market on Oscar near the corner at Moss Street…

The lovely Fairfield Market on Oscar near the corner at Moss Street…

… specializing in local produce and products.

… specializing in local produce and products.

Fairfield Bike Shop, Moss Street at Oscar.

Fairfield Bicycle Shop, Moss Street at Oscar.

The place I buy all my felting and knitting supplies: Knotty By Nature.

The place I buy all my felting and knitting supplies: Knotty By Nature (on the right; Lillian near Fairfield Road).

Here are some shots of our beautiful corner of this magnificent planet…

Big fluffy pink blossoms near the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

Big fluffy pink blossoms near the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

The gardens at Government House are coming to life.

The gardens at Government House are more colourful every day.

Little neighbourhood path in Oak Bay.

Little neighbourhood path in Oak Bay.

Very pretty shooting stars.

Very pretty shooting stars.

We walked through Oak Bay in beautiful sunshine down to the beach at Ross Bay. The view to the east was blue skies and warm…

We walked through Oak Bay in beautiful sunshine down to the beach at Ross Bay. The view to the east was blue skies and warm…

… and the view to the west, cold and stormy!

… and the view to the west, cold and stormy!

Camas and bluebells.

Camas and bluebells.

A lovely group of yellow tulips growing in the long grass of a Garry oak meadow at Beacon Hill Park.

A lovely group of yellow tulips growing in the long grass of a Garry oak meadow at Beacon Hill Park.

Mallard duck couple foraging at Beacon Hill Park (she has her head down, just in front of the male).

Mallard duck couple foraging at Beacon Hill Park (she has her head down, just in front of the male).

A few shots from around our beautiful city on a gorgeous summer’s day.

The sweet smell of Buddleia flower; several large bushes behind St. Ann's Academy.

The sweet smell of Buddleia flower; several large bushes behind St. Ann’s Academy.

Two families of Canada geese – two parents and two babies each – sunning themselves near Fisherman's Wharf.

Two families of Canada geese – two parents and two babies each – sunning themselves near Fisherman’s Wharf.

Lavender everywhere right now. This grouping in the planter boxes by the fish pond at The Parkside on Humboldt.

Lavender everywhere right now. This grouping in the planter boxes by the fish pond at The Parkside on Humboldt.

The wild sweet peas are in full bloom on the banks above the beach all along the Dallas Drive waterfront.

The wild sweet peas are in full bloom on the banks above the beach all along the Dallas Drive waterfront.

View to the beach through the sweet peas.

View to the beach through the sweet peas.

Sweet peas, detail.

Sweet peas, detail.

The Japanese garden at the Inn at Laurel Point.

The Japanese garden at the Inn at Laurel Point.

This annual event is close to my heart. GJ and I rode our bikes, as we usually do, getting to 11 of the 14 gardens. The weather was just perfect. Here are some highlights:

Our first stop, a perfect little garden in Fairfield very near the ocean.

Our first stop, a perfect little garden in Fairfield very near the ocean.

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Happy bee.

A lovely water garden in Fairfield.

A lovely water garden in Fairfield.

Mirrors create depth and highlight a lovely collection of blue and white pottery.

Mirrors create depth and highlight a pretty collection of blue and white pottery.

Such fun! An outdoor train set, all decorated for the Garden Tour.

Such fun! An outdoor train set, all decorated for the Garden Tour.

Obligatory perfect rose. This garden in Fairfield was full of them, so many varieties.

Obligatory perfect rose. This garden in Fairfield was full of them, so many varieties.

Several gardens on the tour this year had prominent potato vine. So pretty.

Several gardens on the tour this year had prominent potato vine. So pretty.

One garden in Oak Bay had an amazing bed of lavender, probably at least 12x5 feet.

One garden in Oak Bay had an amazing bed of lavender, probably at least 12×5 feet.

A garden in Oak Bay with a steep slope allows for layers of plantings and many beautiful vantage points.

A garden in Oak Bay with a steep slope allows for layers of plantings and many beautiful vantage points.

Keeping bees in a  beautiful garden in the Oaklands neighbourhood.

Keeping bees in a beautiful garden in the Oaklands neighbourhood.

Foxgloves and mock orange blossoms; some to the food for those Oaklands bees.

Foxgloves and mock orange blossoms; some to the food for those Oaklands bees.

A little secret path to nowhere.

A little secret path to nowhere.

A magnificent eucalyptus tree.

A magnificent eucalyptus tree.

Sunlight makes these poppies glow.

Sunlight makes these poppies glow.

We woke up sad that this adventure was almost over, but the day was crisp and clear and we were excited to be out in it. After a lovely breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Sinclair (can’t speak highly enough of Le St-Sulpice Hôtel), we headed up to the Metro station. About 20 minutes later we were near the Montréal Botanical Gardens. It was open, but mostly prepared for winter so beds were empty and not too much to see; still a magnificent place to be, peaceful and quiet. It must be magical when all in bloom.

Sinclair Restaurant at Le Hôtel St-Sulpice.

Sinclair Restaurant at Le Hôtel St-Sulpice.

Les écureuils partout!

Les écureuils partout! Jardin Botanique Montréal.

Lovely displays of alpine gardens from different parts of the world.

Lovely displays of alpine gardens from different parts of the world.

Just to the right of this exquisite view, men in hip waders were removing the apparatus of a lantern festival a few nights before.

Chines GArden, my favourite. Just to the right of this exquisite view, men in hip waders were removing the apparatus of a lantern festival from a few nights before.

Lovely detail. I look forward to coming here again to learn about the creation of all these gardens.

Lovely detail. I look forward to coming here again to learn about the creation of all these gardens.

"Infinite Pleasantness" – yes please!

“Infinite Pleasantness” – yes please!

A beautiful pavilion.

A beautiful pavilion.

Art shot in the Japanese Garden.

Art shot in the Japanese Garden.

Winter sun makes for long shadows.

Winter sun makes for long shadows.

GJ caught me admiring a beautiful yellow witch hazel in bloom. We used to have an orange one, I just love them.

GJ caught me admiring a beautiful yellow witch hazel in bloom. We used to have an orange one; I just love them.

This was an interesting sculpture. The view from this chair is of hundreds of squirrels foraging for, and/or burying food.

This was an interesting sculpture. The view from this chair is of hundreds of squirrels foraging for, and/or burying food.

Twisty trees, shadows and reflections.

Twisty trees, shadows and reflections.

Swallow nesting boxes in the marshy area.

Swallow nesting boxes in the marshy area.

The vibrant colours of autumn have gone, and left these subtle, mysterious hues behind.

The vibrant colours of autumn have gone, and left these subtle, mysterious hues behind.