Computer Images

My son-in-law works in London in some high-flying IT post for one of the city corporations. In his free time he writes complicated programs that when rendered create stunning images like these. I have no idea what practical use they are but as completely original artefacts they lighten the gloom of early winter.

 

Walkers Garden Centre, Doncaster, 16th November 2015

We are fortunate in living near one of the finest garden centres in the United Kingdom. I recollect buying expensive conifers from the founder, Lawrence Walker, when we first moved to South Yorkshire from Lancashire some thirty five years ago. There was always some blue grafted specimen on the bench outside his greenhouses. Today Walkers Garden Centre is an increasingly stylish place with shops and a fabulous cafe to complement the plants that are always in top condition, the nursery run to perfection by Lawrence and Vera's daughter, Elaine.  But it is the show gardens that feature here, the design of which was by Graham Bodle, Elaine's son and Gold Medal winner from Chelsea. However the first photographs are from Lawrence's original gardens.

Taking eight acres of what used to be quarry land and then rose beds for the "Walkers Roses" of old, Graham has created a park full of detail, from the reed bed below to the pond with my shadow prominent in the winter's low sun.

Here we move to the outside eating area where one might dine well, enjoy the view and listen to the roar of the aircraft landing or taking off from the adjacent Robin Hood Airport. And what a joy it is to see specimen conifers celebrated so spectacularly.

Her son  

Puente de las flores (Flower Bridge), Valencia, 19th August 2015

Opened in 2002, Valencia's Flower Bridge, Puente de las flores, was a delight on a hot day with its beautifully tended 27,000 flowers. We followed the now dry river bed of the Turia Gardens, a nine kilometres walk under a seemingly endless series of 17 bridges. There was a tad too much concrete for me in the self-styled urban garden and it was so hot as to be oppressive. Were it possible to have retained some flow of water when the engineers endeavoured to safeguard the city from flooding I would have been happier. But then I'm no engineer and the floods of 1957 were devastating necessitating the diversion of the river.

Valencia was not a crowded city, quite a break after Madrid or Barcelona, and its developing City of Arts and Sciences was spectacular in part. Personally I preferred the old city with fine architectural buildings and fine municipal plantings and trees. 

I did like this tilting landscape seen from across the Turia Gardens.

Parcevall Hall Gardens, Yorkshire, 3rd June 2010

I have previously posted about Parcevall Hall Gardens and their March bulbs and blossom. Now it is June in this peaceful sanctuary at the heart of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Commenced by Sir William Milner in 1927 the terraced gardens are situated at the head of a valley and embrace forest, fells and a fertile soil, both acid and alkaline. We commence with a view of the fells and, after a climb, down to what I believe to be Trollers Gill where a motorised shepherd was herding his flock.

The rock gardens are fantastic at any time of year, full of interest, Primula pulverulenta and hostas.

 

The hall is now a retreat for the newly formed diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. I claim no divine intervention myself though I did finally make the decision to retire whilst staying nearby during this break. I have never regretted the decision. And rarely have I seen a display of wisteria to match these gardens. The United Kingdom may be crowded in parts but not here.

Bodnant Garden, Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy, 26th May 2015

Many gardens have a claim to being the best in the UK.  Bodnant Garden makes such a claim and in May with the Rhododendrons, Magnolias and Azaleas in startling bloom, it is hard to argue against. Our May visit was perfectly timed for colour to stun the senses, particularly with the heady perfume.

The Laburnum Arch was just beginning to flower and this teaser at one end was the best I could manage. I guess one week later would have seen the fragrant blooms at their best and full of bees, an experience to remember.

I have this in my garden and had lost the name, so not the best photograph. I know now that it is Omphalodes cappadocica 'Cherry Ingram'.

The gardens were gifted to the National Trust by Henry McLaren in 1949. His family have been in residence for some 130 years. Indeed his grandson, Michael, presently manages the gardens on behalf of the Trust.

As well as the manicured terraces, there is a lush valley brim full of plants to whet the appetite of any gardener.

The alpine beds beside the house are newly planted and would have been worth the cost of admission alone, save that the Spring shrubs and trees have already won that battle.