Monday, 30 July 2007

The Pines Garden

Leaving poor flooded Gloucestershire behind for a while (and counting my blessings for living where I do, untouched by floodwater, loss of electricty or tap water supply) I enjoyed our first decent summer week down in Kent.

Herewith a few photos from our visit to the Pines Garden in St. Margaret's. (webpage link in the title) We'd always wondered what the Pines was like.
Now we know: very pleasant.




This building was particularly interesting. It is "the Pines Calyx" and very eco-friendly made from compacted chalk dug out on-site. The roof is very "green" too! Solar panel at the back. Marvellous.

The Calyx is used for meetings and conferences.
This statue of Sir Winston (not life size!) we assume graces the gardens in respect of his Lord Warden of the Cinque Port days, as well as his links with Kent via Chartwell. Perhaps if I read the website properly there maybe an explanation. Or you could look yourself....there are more photos from around the whole garden than I took anyway, so I'd recommend a look at the webpages, or go and the place itself even!!


Leaving St. Margarets once more, back onto the familiar path to Langdon.



And for those of you who ever held the slightest doubt in your mind as to whether France is really visible from Dover, here is a photo to prove it!!! A particularly clear view today, admittedly.




I'd like to call this photo "See France, sea, France, Sea France" although I cannot tell a lie, the ferry is in fact P&O.......haaaahaaaaahaaaa!!!!!!!!
p.s. Next photo, different day, in Thanet. More lovely blue sky above scenic little Joss Bay outside Broadstairs: and a rather splendid wave cut platform etc. Don't you think??

Friday, 6 July 2007

To Berkley Castle at last.

Between doorways ancient...
and less than ancient.... lie the fascinating interior of Berkley Castle, packed with history. I'm just amazed I left it
so long before I made a visit!



Nice garden too!






And a butterfly house!