tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51193902012-01-31T22:07:20.441-05:00Gardens and other travel seen and recorded. See photo albums link for additional images -- over there, on the right. And don't miss the humorous stuff.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-57078113951099317352011-12-28T09:44:00.000-05:002011-12-28T16:45:02.940-05:00

In northeast England, there’s an interesting new garden. New that is, compared to most UK gardens on the tourist route there. Gardens dating back to Victorian times are the norm, others centuries older. This one, however, only opened its gate to visitors ten years ago, which made me almost first in line, relatively speaking, when I stopped by this fall to check it out. The garden is

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-11808126596132748182011-11-09T07:22:00.000-05:002011-11-14T07:03:25.636-05:00

There are three major reasons that local people travel to Buffalo: Sabres games, airport, or cross border shopping. I just discovered an even bigger reason to make the trip — Garden Walk Buffalo with 350 open gardens. Last weekend, with a couple of other garden writers, I was invited to a preview of the gardens and was amazed at the enthusiasm and commitment to gardening in a community

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-11801950560381506362011-08-13T14:59:00.000-04:002011-08-13T14:59:57.621-04:00

I froze at the sight of the weapon pointed directly at me. It was in the hands of the ten-year-old with a gleam in her eye. She let me have it. I shrieked; she shrieked, then we both burst into laughter. It was only a water gun, a massive water gun, as big as her and fully charged. And she kept her hand on the trigger. I was at the Songkran festival in Chiang Mei, Thailand. I should have known

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-86662333989851580952011-07-08T14:08:00.002-04:002011-07-08T14:16:17.008-04:00

It was a single red poppy in a field of wheat beside a busy parking lot that caught my attention. The solitary flower had a calming affect on me after having just spent too short a time whirling through Claude Monet’s garden. It’s a busy place, visited as it is each year by half a million art lovers and gardeners from around the world.  Those are the two main reasons to visit — to see what

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-11169021124147779452011-06-08T21:15:00.001-04:002011-06-08T21:19:01.646-04:00

Click for Pictures

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-11030506954403013252011-04-29T08:00:00.004-04:002011-05-01T19:18:14.181-04:00

It may seem like a long way to go to look at plants, but with only a few adventurous crocuses attempting to lead reluctant participants in a spring parade, the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden near Pattaya, Thailand was a welcome break earlier this month. And there I was, a dazed look on my face and my mind completely boggled as I tried to comprehend one of the world’s most amazing botanical gardens.

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-12491910261840955662011-04-27T17:19:00.007-04:002011-05-01T19:22:08.112-04:00

I lost my hat in the South China Sea. It wasn’t the gentle, cooling breeze tempering the hot midday sun that whipped it away. It was the speed of the power boat I was riding in as it shuttled passengers between Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah state in East Malaysia and Sapi Island.  Just a speedy ten minute boat ride offshore, the island is one of a group in the marine park named after Malaysia's

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-64662669279772635752011-04-22T05:27:00.001-04:002011-05-01T19:17:09.850-04:00

Over ten thousand varieties of plants for sale in the plant center, said the sign. Now, I’d normally be in there scooping everything in sight, but this wasn’t any old garden centre and there wouldn’t have been much point buying plants. This was England and, sadly, smuggling rare plant material home to Canada is serious business and I wasn’t prepared to risk it. Telling a customs officer that the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-4872169578920320382011-04-21T15:25:00.004-04:002011-04-28T05:24:49.026-04:00

After one of the coolest summers on record accompanied by too many complaints about plants not blooming and tomatoes not ripening due to a lack of sunshine, I thought, forget it, I’m taking off for somewhere a little warmer — Borneo.  To be truthful, the trip was planned long before I felt any need for a change in weather, but I certainly found the sun and warm temperatures — and acres of

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-10164665702588723532011-04-21T15:13:00.003-04:002011-05-01T19:22:51.973-04:00

This year was my third visit to the amazing Chelsea Flower Show in London, England. Always an exciting adventure, it was just as (fill in your favourite superlative here) as ever. The interior of the Grand Pavilion appeared crammed with plants from every nursery business in Britain, including a yellow Streptocarpus, produced by Lynne Dibley, owner of Dibleys Nurseries.  Streptocarpus colours

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-18222173238143517922011-04-21T07:55:00.002-04:002011-04-21T07:59:01.864-04:00

As I stared at the old Mountbatten Juniper at the foot of my garden, a few words of poet and novelist, Vita Sackville-West, came to mind. An aristocratic celebrity of the nineteen-thirties with an exuberant lifestyle, Vita, besides being the garden columnist for The Observer newspaper, was the creator of one of Britain’s most famous gardens located at Sissinghurst castle in Kent. Thanks to a spur

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-53242839559382772542011-04-21T07:46:00.000-04:002011-04-21T07:46:00.253-04:00

Like cat's whiskers, the side mirrors on the coach I'm in brush the hedgerows as it cruises the narrow roads of Southwest Ireland. Round a bend and the mirror on the right sweeps impossibly close to the opposing one on a dump truck that materializes out of the mist. Passengers on that side of the coach instinctively squeeze inwards. Our driver doesn't flinch. He's obviously an ex formula one

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-75343387075335609702011-04-20T19:57:00.002-04:002011-04-21T06:36:22.886-04:00

My tree peony had a huge bud on it at the beginning of June but I never saw it bloom. In fact, I missed a lot of things happening in my garden during the first couple of weeks of the month. I didn't see the first rose blossoms or the first water lily flower, things I look forward to with eager anticipation. I didn't mind at all missing these garden highlights as I was away on a two week garden

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-18114146597692558002011-04-20T17:52:00.007-04:002011-05-01T19:24:17.969-04:00

There's many a gardener who will be looking out the window over the next few months wishing they were somewhere else. As snow falls and the piles beside the driveway grow ever higher, I know I'll frequently be daydreaming about my visit early this summer to the lost gardens of Heligan.  The name alone conjures up evocative images of a romantic past. The place is stuck in my memory now as it must

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-58108938336500880072010-04-11T17:52:00.000-04:002010-04-11T17:53:00.429-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-89088671446579960372010-04-11T17:49:00.000-04:002010-04-11T17:49:46.876-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-26761352401966344362010-04-11T17:44:00.001-04:002010-04-11T17:45:45.749-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-91717299675042797882010-04-11T17:36:00.000-04:002010-04-11T17:36:05.396-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-85393319209193087092010-04-11T17:31:00.001-04:002010-04-11T17:34:31.604-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-4519751848412158232007-08-26T09:40:00.000-04:002007-08-26T09:42:35.724-04:00

Not photoshopped

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-44067115071354477552007-08-23T05:46:00.000-04:002007-08-26T09:41:22.994-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-31130572809481800722007-08-23T05:37:00.000-04:002007-08-23T05:37:54.582-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-68876802770868090262007-08-05T16:51:00.000-04:002007-08-05T16:53:25.250-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-77682405668302206542006-10-29T05:52:00.000-05:002007-06-05T18:08:45.916-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-6650702856456186242006-10-29T05:49:00.000-05:002007-06-05T18:09:41.945-04:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1158796498499649582006-09-20T19:54:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:26.686-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1150883010206756832006-06-21T05:41:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:26.560-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1129580635784906292005-10-17T16:23:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:26.366-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1129379219841492572005-10-15T08:26:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:26.228-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1129379011917254252005-10-15T08:23:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:26.150-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1128731196615490072005-10-07T20:26:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:25.996-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1128730691851464822005-10-07T20:18:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:25.931-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1128699929233624812005-10-07T11:45:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:25.868-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1127944851196885002005-09-28T18:00:00.001-04:002006-10-29T05:19:25.532-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1127944808513744742005-09-28T18:00:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:25.470-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1127944708888777202005-09-28T17:58:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:25.392-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1127060117906303292005-09-18T12:15:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:25.253-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122064153134312432005-07-22T16:29:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:24.572-05:00

Hampton Court 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063840703720902005-07-22T16:24:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:24.321-05:00

Sunny But Cool 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063792975094912005-07-22T16:23:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:24.262-05:00

Not Catherine's 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063751302618912005-07-22T16:22:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:24.200-05:00

In the Old Days . . . 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063670390758302005-07-22T16:21:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:24.136-05:00

Himalayan Blue Poppy 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063637405717742005-07-22T16:20:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:24.075-05:00

West Nab Loooking East 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063459333809892005-07-22T16:17:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.959-05:00

3 Jaggar Lane 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063405765639922005-07-22T16:16:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.901-05:00

A Very, Very, Very Fine House 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063260975717242005-07-22T16:14:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.784-05:00

Please 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063189000892312005-07-22T16:13:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.725-05:00

Wet in Bath 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063079021377512005-07-22T16:11:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.667-05:00

Pot Grow-op 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122063025986715972005-07-22T16:10:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.606-05:00

Just Grass 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122062995224045762005-07-22T16:09:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.544-05:00

Cornwall beach 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122062930834907442005-07-22T16:08:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.483-05:00

Hydrangeas at Chelsea 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122062790814657682005-07-22T16:06:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.425-05:00

The Old Wheels of Taunton 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122023352081719452005-07-22T05:09:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.244-05:00

Hasty Hedgehog  

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1122022513084023382005-07-22T04:55:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.173-05:00

On the pier at Blackpool 

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1120253017776912692005-07-01T17:21:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:23.109-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1119197254993458722005-06-19T12:07:00.001-04:002006-10-29T05:19:22.987-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119390.post-1119197238168394452005-06-19T12:07:00.000-04:002006-10-29T05:19:22.926-05:00

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876679034803784974noreply@blogger.com0