ASHRIDGE GARDENS PART TWO

 Violet loves how bright the delphiniums are in this flower bed.

The girls investigate the flower combinations in the Delphinium bed." I bet mum would like some Delph's this colour! "
"Yes " says Violet " their like Sapphires!! " Then realising what she's just said they both giggle and Saphhire climbs in the flower bed pretending to be a Delphinium!

In another part of the garden they come across a statue and Sapphire climbs on to what looks to be a tiger cub.
" Be careful !" calls Violet worried she'll fall

"Look no hands!" cries Sapphire letting go
" Don't be silly !" says Violet " Hold on!"

"No " says Sapphire wobbling
" Well if you fall off don't think I'm going to save you!"

"Will!"
"Wont!"
"Will!"
"Wont!"
"Will !"
Violet turns gets down and walks off shouting over her shoulder "WONT !"
Sapphire climbs down and hurries after her.

They come across a large building which says it a fernery? Looks from where the chairs have been left someone's had a meeting there.

The girls find a chair to use and make up.

From the windows they can see a bed with a very large Banana plant in.

After a short rest the girls start looking round.
Violet finds a bird of Paradise plant " Look " she calls to Sapphire " Here's one of those plants Uncle Steve's got at his house and Dad wants!"
"What did Mum say ? " asks Sapphire
" What another plant to try and get in the greenhouse!!" they laugh

Sapphires checking out the other side of the fernery where a large Yucca plant stands.The large white rocks placed for the ferns to grow out from.

"Come on " says Sapphire " Let go find the other side of the tunnel!"

It's not long before they are standing at another gate looking at the work being done to make the
roof safe again.

To the side is a chamber where the General buried his horse! and you can see all the flint used for the walls and roof.

"Come along Girls " Mum calls "No one's opening that gate for a while yet!"

The girls hurry after Mum and Dad who are off looking at other parts of the garden.

"Dad would love steps and rocks like these in our garden!" says Sapphire
" I'm sure he would but where are we going to put them !" says Violet sounding somewhat like Mum!
" Mm " wonders Sapphire " maybe we could build them over next doors fence!" they both laugh imagining what Matt next door would say!!

Soon their at the herb garden standing on the step of the sundial.

" This is much bigger than our sundial!"
"Well this is a much bigger garden "
"That is certainly true!"

They like the Yew topery standing guard in front of the two beech houses.

They go inside and stand on the bench and look out.

It's cool inside the light filtered by the leaves and branches.

The greenery letting in the dappled light.

Violet peeps out squinting in the bright sunlight.

She wonders if they could a mini version of this living house! She'll ask Dad later when he's sitting resting!

The girls decided they were too tired to walk all the way round to go down into the sunken garden where a maze had been cut out of the grass meadow.

We all walked back to the house, which is not open to the public , and went inside for a lovely cup of tea and the twins had some fruit juice, where plans were made, plants added to want lists and the beautiful view enjoyed.


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