Looking down at RHS Hyde Hall

Back in July I spent a day at RHS Hyde Hall and have already shared a few posts from there. I seem to have so many photos left to share from my visit though, so I thought as the weather has notched down a degree or two, we could do with some photos from warmer days. Looking back at my photos, I remembered I became slightly obsessed that day by photographing plants from above, and looking down on them.

It's effective for lots of plant types, mostly those with striking lines, like this sea holly for example.

And this lily-like flower. And in case you're wondering the black spots on the petals are insects - it was clearly a popular bloom.

It worked on striking variegated grasses too, and the daisy-like mexican fleabane either side of the grass gives a soft touch. The top down approach didn't really work for some plants though, agapanthus for example, I discovered are best viewed side on. Who knew.  

Looking down on the plants I photographed somehow gave more prominence to their structure and form. And it also mean I got the benefit of them against the foliage behind them. Don't you think the green accentuates the silver? 

The next few photos are my favourite examples of how photographing a plant from above can really work.

I'm not sure what the plant is below, but the leaves look prickly so maybe it's related to a thistle too. And if you look closely, you'll see an insect on the main flower, I hadn't spotted that when I was so close!

And remember when I first discovered Astrantias on our visit to Bosvigo in Cornwall, well I found them again here at Hyde Hall. I couldn't remember their name on my visit (of course!), but referring back to that blog post gave me the prompt I needed. It's progress, as I knew I knew what they were, just not what they were, if you know what I mean.  They're still as delicate and just as pretty as I remember them.

I also found another yellow flower that photographing from the top down worked with. In my excitement at finding it though it seems that I didn't make a note of its name. It looks sunflower-esque but I know that's hardly likely as at just five foot it's highly unlikely I'd be looking down on any sunflower.  

I'll concede it might be a miniature version, but maybe it's something else entirely. If you know what my mystery plant is then I'm happy to find out, so please let me know. I've realised though that without looking down on this plant I might now have seen its coffee-bean-like edging at the base of the petals. How exquisite is that?

And the other thing I learnt that day?

Well that's simple. It's sometimes you just have to look at things from a different place to see their beauty anew. That turned out to be more profound than I expected it to, but I think there's something in that, don't you?

Through the windows at Chenonceau

Today I thought it'd be fun to look out the windows of Chateau de Chenonceau and in doing so make the most of it's unique selling point, which is of course that it's a chateau that spans the river. Which makes for some unusual and unexpected views. On our visit it was an overcast day and light rain had just started as we locked up our bikes. It held off, but just imagine how spectacular the views over the River Cher would have been on a gloriously sunny day, and equally how they might be on days much worse than when we visited.

There are windows on every level, even in the kitchen which is on the lowest levels. The windows do get more fancy, as you'd expect, as the rooms get grander. The simple window above gives a great view over the river, but the patterned window below is much prettier to look at.

In the Gallery the windows are much more grand. And arched into alcoves. I like how the panes here pick up the pattern of the classic black and white marble floor. Simple but very effective and demonstrates how repeating patterns just works.

As we entered the chateau, I'd spotted people standing on a small balcony above the front door and made a mental note to find our way there. And that happened just as we finished walking through and admiring Katherine Briçonnet's hall, and from the small balcony you can look down to the entrance and over to the Marques tower. The forecourt in front of the tower traces the medieval fortress.

Katherine Briçonnet was the wife of Thomas Bohier, who in the 16th century demolished the fortified castle in order to build the chateau. The fortress belonged to the Marques family and all that they left was the keep, the Marques tower, which they renovated in Renaissance style.

From other parts of the chateau there are great views of Catherine's garden on the left, and Diane's garden on the right.

CATHERINE'S GARDEN

DIANE'S GARDEN

And before we leave, there's just one more window to show you. Remember that grand front door? Well above it is an arched stained glass window, which as we left we got a great view of

So plenty of windows, with great views and lots of detail. I hope you've enjoyed a closer look at this pretty chateau.

Fancy wallpaper and a painting to match my dress

Last weekend we celebrated my in-law's Golden wedding anniversary with afternoon tea at Alexander House Hotel in West Sussex. I'd not been there before, but when we arrived and I spotted those chimneys and the huge magnolia underneath them, I had a feeling it would be a place with some quirks. 

And I wasn't wrong. The patterned floor and log stack where in a porch near the bar. The desk with the vintage news sign and the chandelier were just inside the front door. Afternoon tea was great and I proved to myself once again why I could never be a food blogger. I was too interested in eating and drinking and so there are no photos of the food, but it's good, so if you're local definitely give it a go.

You're probably wondering why then I'm writing about a place I visited. Well, unexpectedly I discovered my next post in The Loo Series, which as you've guessed features the loos. And I say unexpectedly as wouldn't you know it I had to make a return visit with my phone.  But it gave me the opportunity to pose with the mirror that was almost as big as the generous door to the cloakrooms.

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It was the wallpaper that really caught my eye.

And the accessories.  The mirrors.  And the toiletries, the Verveine range from L'Occitane is a particular favourite and I'm also rather partial to a Verveine tea after dinner too.  When we're in France the Verveine tea bags are usually one of the first things that go in our shopping trolley as we head towards the wine!

All of that made for a lovely bathroom.  Once again though I was lucky to have the space to myself so I didn't look a right lemon photographing the loos.  In my title I promised you a painting to match my dress. And here it is.

This was in the ante room as you entered from the corridor, and while it's not my usual style of painting, I couldn't help but notice how well it matched my dress. I think my new friend agreed too.

So once again proof that bold colours do work in bathrooms, admittedly this is larger than a bathroom in a house might be, but it's bold and beautiful.  And top marks to the hotel for decorating it to match my outfit!

Do you find yourself noticing the decor in unusual places, or is it just me?