'Graham Thomas'

My first day of my weeks holiday in Hampshire and the weather was glorious!
Just 8 miles away from my daughters house is Mottisfont National Trust. We spent over 6 hours here! After a walk along the River Test, which runs through the grounds....then coffee back at the stable block.
A tour around the house, which was a country retreat for Maud and Gilbert Russell ...who moved there in 1934. The building is crafted from a medieval priory. Maud Russell was a great patron of the arts and she brought artists and designers there on a regular basis. The walls are hung with works by artists including Degas, Nicholson, Hepworth and Piper, all collected by Derek Hill, a painter who loved Mottisfont.
After lunch...we made our way to the walled garden. This is a hidden gem, bursting with colour. Graham Stuart Thomas created a home here for the National Collection of old-fashioned roses, which flower in a spectacular display every June, before Lavender and late summer borders take over.
The problem for me here is.....I took so many photos. My camera was on fire! But the sun all day was SO bright....the photos taken in the walled gardens are disappointing. An excuse to go back at the end of this week and have another go....the weather is changing we are told.

So for my Blip....here is beautiful 'Graham Thomas' surrounded by Violas!