Bits and pieces...

It's really a bits and pieces post today.

Firstly, it's another warm welcome to my new follower :o)

Since the heartbreak this week of poor little Charlie hedgehog there has been a fabulous deveopement :o)  The lovely lady Ann, who found Charlie and I have met up again and discovered that we have such a lot in common - it's really quite incredible, and are becoming firm friends.  (Hello Ann!)

I have again visited David Austin Roses with another dear friend and took a few photo's to share with you, but I'll let you into a disappointing secret - as it was such a nice day I was expecting the air to be sweet with the gorgeous scent of the roses, most of which were blooming their heads off but it seemed that few had any scent and then you had to literally shove your nose into the bloom to 'get it'.  Anyhow, here's the pictures.... Don't forget you can click on any photo to expand them.

This greets you as you enter the gardens - the gift shop is in the background.  The pots are huge!

Then we walked along a path surrounded on both sides with roses, there are a number of garden rooms off  the main path....

This stunning bloom is a much deeper red, for some reason my camera doesn't show reds in their true light.  It's called Tam o'Shanter.

This was in one of the huge garden rooms, a beautiful walled garden set in a circle - sorry I can't remember the name of it.

The same garden room - the long pond runs straight down the centre in front of you as you enter.

I adored the colour of this one - the Lady of Shalott

These life size ladies are at the top of the long pathway you start your journey on..

This is part of the Victorian Garden, filled with old fashioned roses.

This is the statue at the centre of the Victorian Garden.

Further round looking to the centre.

This final picture is the rose Pat Austin, who was named after David Austin's late wife.  There is a sign that said she had planned all of the gardens. 

We had a cup of tea in the tea rooms, that was served in the most delightful rose covered china cups, saucers , teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl - sorry I forgot the photo :o(

There is of course a few bargains I've picked up over the last couple of weeks.  On a visit to the charity shop someone had passed on a load of cookery books..I scored 5 at £1 each :o)

(I'll have to show you my cookery books ...)

1 x each of Gordon and Tanya Ramsay's

Dutchy Originals - recipies from Prince Charles's Dutchey Estates

and The Hairy Bikers 12 Days of Christmas.  I also got a copy of Hairy Bikers Mum's know Best, but that'll be off to Nottingham as I already have it.  I can hardly believe it, none of these books look as if they've been opened let alone used (?)  Just doesn't make sense they all cost around £20 new.

Then, I found another two tea pots..

A lovely older Portmerion one for £3 - and the other side

Of course you knew there'd be blue and white somewhere in the post!

Old Willow pattern - £2.50

and an old Alfred Meakin plate to match, 'cos it's not like I haven't already got any!

£1.  Lastly, for the bargain section, and sorry it won't show up very well

It's about 8" tall and has a double heart motif molded into the glass on all four sides for 70p.  I have no idea what it held, maybe you can help?  It caught my eye, maybe for a nice home made cordial gift.. 

Finally, some gratuitious animal pictures from the garden - Warning - there is a frog picture!  I kissed him, he wasn't the one that turns into a handsome prince! LOL :o)

Sitting on the side of the pond.

One of the nightly visitors making ripples :o)

And then licking his lips!

Enquiring on each others health and passing the time of (day) night!

And lastly some day visitors too..

A blue tit and some house sparrows dine out!

(Thanks to George the lad's Mom for the last 4 photos, she lent me her camera to try it out - BIG thanks Jan x)

Hope everyone has had a great weekend,

Best wishes