Alnwick Gardens

The rain it raineth every day- grey skies for what seems like weeks- but when April showers, they come your way....they bring the flowers .. that bloom in May.....

Last week H1 and I went to Alnwick Gardens- oops I missed the n out of 'went' and typed 'wet ' which was quite appropriate- it poured from the heavens just as we were descending from the top bloopy pool garden (I am sure it has a more official name) through the rose garden.

I tried very hard to catch the Grand Cascade in full display for you but with a bank of computers below to control it, the cascade alters to different fountain sprays regularly. At the heightof summer the shrieks of children fill this part of the garden as they try to fathom which areas to avoid only to get caught by a spray they did not suspect was going to fire off. Child-size 'diggers' on the bottom level mean kids can collect water coming over the bottom wall of the cascade. At the top of the Cascade is the gated entry to the top garden.

This garden has espaliered crab appletrees in squares around dovecotes and beds containing all sorts of promise- all labelled so visitors can ascertain what the foliage is which is on its way to summer.

Tulips adorn outer borders; the Duchess has had an outer hill planted with thousands of pink tulips but they are not in flower yet.

We have finished our year's pass for Hawick Hall & heard there was an offer on at Alnwick Castle &/or Gardens to go for one visit and be able to visit again for a year.  Since the Duchess of Northumberland planned her Gardens to have something to see in every season we decided to investigate the offer. (I heard the same offer was on at Beamish - a fantastic living Museum- so we might do some research on that too).

A guide took us round the Poison Garden- a giggle- but heck! I have most of these plants in my own garden- so beware!

We spent quite a lot of time leisurely awaiting for sprays to blow via a drier view from the cafe. This visit we did not go to the treehouse- which is reputed to be the biggest in the world- I always find it amazing that in the middle of  a treehouse there is a fire blazing to warm customers to the restaurant.

The window is spattered with raindrops; drops move slowly down the pane joining as they trickle; snail trails on the glass; crystal against the blur of smoky, wistful sky behind.