Secret Gardens 2011

Yesterday dawned bright & clear...not too warm, but the perfect day for our Secret Gardens event! 18 gardens around the Old Town opened ...and we raised over £1000 in total to be divided between 2 local charities (they change each year).

Everything was ready, really...as you know, I adopt a 'little & often' approach to the gardening, which in such a small space keeps it under control. So we only had to do a few last minute cosmetic touches. Paul scrubbed the deck, while I went around checking that Alice hadn't left any - ahem - little surprises in the undergrowth!

This is the view from the back of the house...isn't the church clocktower wonderful? You can just see Paul scrubbing that deck...& Alice reclining on the bench (supervising..)

And the garden was all ready...

the space above is one we have recently cleared for Paul's exciting new hobby...in a week or so's time, there will be a beehive in this spot! He has taken many courses (ongoing, because you never stop learning about bees) and a few weeks ago we bought the hive, complete with tenants, and all the equipment. The hive is, at present, in a village a few miles away...he went to inspect it on Saturday and was thrilled to find a new queen in residence, with plenty of eggs and bee grubs and even some honey already! They are almost ready to be moved...so this is a sight I shall be seeing a lot of in days and years to come...

my own personal astronaut...sorry...beekeeper!
Anyway, back to the garden!
I decorated the entrance passageway with some flags designed by the very wonderful Susan Branch , which are so apt for this occasion..

Our next door neighbours (both sides) were open as well, so there was plenty to see along our side of the square! This is the view everyone saw as they approached our gate...

and then the first visitors arrived - about 2.15 - and kept arriving all afternoon!

quite a strange feeling to have so many people we don't know (plus lots we DO) 'invading'! But it's great fun...we are both around to answer questions...lots of these, mainly about the mirrors we have on the back wall! I was asked many times how often I have to clean them...my answer was 'once a year, the day before we open for Secret Gardens!!' This raised a big laugh!
Where was Alice you might wonder? Well, with all the different people in and out, plus the gate being open, it really isn't safe for her to be loose...also a bit distressing for her. So, with the house locked up (and blinds/curtains drawn too for safety) we made a feature of her...

She was quite safe inside, but proved a huge hit...especially with visiting children! She must have felt a bit bewildered...but it was much better this way.
The stream of visitors tailed off at around 5.30pm, and we could close the gates and relax. One set of neighbours invited us for wonderful peach champagne cocktails...and then another neighbour, who is also one of our best friends, was having a barbecue. So we walked around there and had a wonderful, relaxing evening of food, wine and laughter before collapsing into bed at 10pm! A wonderful day.

I hope you can see the video I posted... the first time I have tried it, so if it works there will be more!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend...one last thing before I go....I was walking to The Coffee Tree this morning, when I saw this sweet sight. It is Paul's car roof by the way...it is made of cloth, so must have been a wonderfully warm spot, like a hammock for the dear kitty!

Happy day to you xoxo