pretty flutteries

glorious day today, sunny and genuinely warm and so we were glad to have chosen gardens for today. started off with rhs harlow carr, which is no rhs wisley, but i think a few years and it won't be too out of synch (albeit on a much smaller scale). they've made a lot of progress in the couple of years since my parents were here - new visitor bit, new teaching garden/building) and although there were bits that need work (the gardening thru the ages bit isn't quite right to my mind, too squashed and not distinct enough, and there are some wild bits to tame) there were some fascinating and well-thought-out parts too (kitchen garden and alpine house in particular, and the main borders were striking even this late in the year). buggered if i can get my veg to grow like that - then again, sunny, sheltered and on a gentle slope for drainage probly helps).

for the afternoon, we headed to ripley castle, which isn't open unless you're a weding or corporate event, but has great grounds to walk in and a pleasant walled garden and kitchen garden area - the former is where is snapped these butterflies on an echinacea; it seemed appropriate for today's blip as i'd taken similar shots at harlow carr, even if it shows neither site in its full glory.

dad and i have both decided that what we need is a walled garden to grow fruit and veg properly, with some flowers - maddeningly, he has worked for two people with this kind of estate, but neither interested in bringing the garden back to its full potential. this was fabulous though, including a cutting garden, massive herb border (culinary, beauty and medicinal) and ancient apple trees which we looked longingly at (not ripe enough tho). i must confess tho: we liberated a tomato from the outside bed... in our defense: there were dozens, there weren't any or any plants or seeds on sale for that variety, it was a variety dad had never seen - and we did buy a bagful of their other veg from the shop.

then it was time to buy sweets and ice-cream from the village shop before heading back to gargrave and a massive pub dinner :-)

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yorkshire begins over here with harrogate show, for those interested