A Walk in a Japanese Garden

(And a surprise!) it was perfect weather to stroll through the amazing Japanese gardens on the Crowden estate.  The garden was built in 1908 by Ella Christie along with the landscape designer Taki Hana.  Ella was a world traveler and was the first western woman to meet the Dalai Lama. It is one of the premiere Japanese gardens in the world and the only one in the UK designed by a woman.  It was vandalized in 1963 and fell into decay but in 2010 the great, great grand niece of Christie began a 7 year restoration with the aid of Professor Masan Fukuhara.  The garden’s name is “Sha-Raku-En” which means “the place of pleasure and delight”.  It certainly was and made more delightful by the engagement we witnessed! (First extra). The bride to be allowed me to photograph her beautiful ring that emitted a beam of fire!  A good omen indeed.  There is a collage of some lovely details in the garden, (Third extra) And no day would be complete without a picture of Henry this time on a wee foot bridge!  (Second extra.). After a lovely lunch at the Riverside Restaurant in Sterling, we drove around Dunblane Cathedral.  It was a perfect way to end my perfectly perfect holiday in Scotland!