Flowers

My most precious visit

/ Leya / 25 kommentarer

 

Scotland – a country of magical history and beauty of nature. But, what I was mostly looking forward to on my trip this summer was the chance to meet Seonaid of breathofgreenair. She is one of the bloggers on WordPress who I first followed. Amazing photography and a mindful poet in soul and words. Her posts speak directly to my heart.

Seonaid’s family consists of two other people, husband and son, and three ladies – bearded collies – and two distinguished cats. I will not reveal their names…as I would like you to visit her blog and find out yourselves…you will not regret it!

This was a magic evening. We met and talked, walked in her evening garden, and she and her husband had cooked a delicious dinner, which we enjoyed at their beautiful home.

Sitting under the parasol in the lovely garden, watching the ladies play and the Bengal sunning himself in the last rays…life was good. As good as it can be when you are happy.

I had to promise the ladies that I would only use photos showing them at their most advantageous angles…and I think I have kept my promise. They were not that easy to photograph – only Seonaid can master that…

Another promise is to come back to Scotland again – soon. I want to thank you again, Seonaid, and your lovely family, for taking the trouble of having us that evening! For me, this will be a precious memory, and my dream is still that we will have the opportunity of a walk together on the beach or in the forest where you usually walk with pleasure. I would love that.

My love to you all, and to the long haired  ladies who all remind me of my Amanda – a beardie I once owned, and who will never be forgotten.

Köge – in FotoSketcher

/ Leya / 32 kommentarer

 

I have been using FotoSketcher on these two from Köge, and I wonder what you think about them? I want to thank Lynne Ayers at Beyond the Brush for inspiring, and giving facts about the program. I enjoy using this immensely. There is much to experiment with.

Lastly – two orchids I got from a young man who graduated in June this year. They still stand here in my home, in the same place. The big phalaenopsis hasn’t lost a single flower!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Texture

/ Leya / 10 kommentarer

Textures – many interpretations possible, but I found some that I really like. I guess you all have seen and felt these ones before? From harsh to smooth and delicate, from warm to cold…

Aberdeen – Duthie Park and the David Welch Winter Gardens

/ Leya / 12 kommentarer

Aberdeen was not very welcoming, in fact the most unfriendly place we visited in Scotland – at least concerning weather and traffic. The people as friendly as all Scots we met of course. There is a gem carefully hidden though, in that city. Hard to find – not even signposted – but a couple of young men in a van volunteered to take us there. We just had to follow them…not easily done in that traffic, but we finally got there. Duthie Park and The David Welch Winter Gardens.

On 5 July 1880 Miss Duthie, a local benefactor, stated that she wanted to create a public park to the memory of her uncles and brothers. And so, in August 1881, she and the Earl of Aberdeen cut the first turf and two years later the park was opened by Princess Beatrice.

According to what I had read about it, we were supposed to find, among many other flower beds, the famous rose mountain of 120.000 roses. Unfortunately these roses were no longer there, and the park seemed a bit neglected. Some parts of it was still well kept though.

Single specimens and flowers where lovely, especially the different thistles. The blue and purple colours are favourites of mine.

Their proper names where unfortunately not to be found anywhere.

Ordinary plume thistle? I guess this one is specially grown for gardens.

Very well kept gardens, and well planned, were The David Welch Winter Gardens, situated inside the Duthie Park. Originally erected in 1899 and designed by the city architect, Mr Rust, it was restored and rebuilt in 1970 after a heavy storm. The Gardens cover two acres and contains plants from all around the world. Today they are the third most visited gardens in Scotland.

The different areas are: Tropical House, Arid House, Victorian Corridor, Courtyards and Japanese Garden, Temperate House, Corridor of Perfumes, Fern House. Here’s a small taste of them!

Victorian Corridor, Pelargonias, Begonias and Fuchsias
Beautiful Begonias
Strong colour compositions and combinations everywhere
Carnivorous plants
One of the largest collections of cacti in the UK

Some of my absolute favourites belong to the Fern House, and of course the Victorian Corridors and the Arid House were impressive as well.

Victorian Corridors of hanging baskets

Victorian Corridors of hanging baskets

Arid House

Arid House

The steamy Tropical House

The steamy Tropical House

An absolute dream, the Fern House

An absolute dream, the Fern House

Wedding!

/ Leya / 13 kommentarer

At my age, I’m more often attending funerals than weddings… Luckily our children’s friends are coming of age…and on rare occations… we are invited to this great feast of joy – a wedding.

A mix of cultures makes these occations even more interesting. Enjoy a mix of pictures where the bride and groom entertain their hundreds of guests – playing and singing in a band. A lovely wedding for young and old, for musicians and everyone invited! Thank you!