Two loos at Max Gate

It's been a little while since I've shared a loo, or two here, so that's just what I've got planned for today. And just like buses, there's two - both from the same National Trust property, Max Gate.  I shared pictures from the garden there last month, but our visit - well mine anyway - actually started in the loo, and it wasn't quite what I was expecting.

To set the scene, Max Gate is, or was, Thomas Hardy's house and had had tenants until relatively recently. So when I found myself in the loo, I was surprised to find myself in a normal bathroom, and one with a bath.  

It really was quite odd. Mainly because the bath felt out of place, and I couldn't help wonder if any visitors to the property took advantage of the bath, even now remembering I'm having a little giggle.  

I think the picture below - and my face - sum up my bemusement.  

The bathroom was functional and clean, and well, just a little domestic, and if you're wondering full of flowery charm, and thankfully no one in the bath!  In fact I was so set back my the bathroom that I insisted MOH visited before we headed out into the garden.  Humouring me he did, and he left just as bemused - see, my work here (or rather, there) was done...

But it wasn't the only loo in the house, and I did promise you two.

Upstairs it was an entirely different story, and a loo, you're more accustomed to seeing here.  I mean, just look at that wallpaper. 

I'd happily have the wallpaper on the top half of the wall today, I'm less keen on the border and striped lower half, but it just screams tradition doesn't it? 

And traditional also means a high level cistern.  

And a chance to admire that gorgeous wallpaper again. 

So there you have it, two more loos, and another first for the Loo Series as I'm pretty sure this must be the first to include a bath. I'm curious now though, have you experienced anything similar?

The Max Gate garden

Max Gate is the Victorian house that Thomas Hardy designed himself, and it's a great looking house. It's in Dorchester and was on our To Visit List during our stay near Swanage last Spring. It was a damp and grey day on our visit and so our visit started in the house, but there were many glimpses on the garden as we made our way around.

It was the type of garden that was like our own domestic gardens. It was probably a bit larger than most domestic gardens, but what I mean is that it wasn't one of those grand and well manicured gardens. That's not to say it wasn't charming, it was, but it was quite normal, if you know what I mean.

Almost as soon as we entered the garden we were at the potting shed, which you'll know is regularly my highlight of any garden. This one was small and it seems that Hardy wasn't such a fan as me, as it seems that a shed only appeared on the records in 1928, which is the year of his death.  I can't imagine that his dying wish was to build a potting shed, so I suspect someone took charge when they could.

Perhaps it was Bertie Norman Stephens, the gardener from 1926. This blackboard in the shed sheds (no pun intended) more light on the gardener and his tasks.

What was great though was you could actually get in the shed and have a nose around among the seedlings.

And it was the first time I've seen peas hanging up like this, and it gave me an idea - as well as reminding me that guttering is great for peas.

You might be wondering how I knew these were peas, well the photo below gives that away.

Look closely and the guttering is pretty special too. It's not the plastic sort I have, and totally in keeping with a make do and mend approach to life.  There was also produce available for donations, just look at that rhubarb.

From many parts of the garden you got a great view of the house. It's the kind of house that really appeals to me, one with nooks and crannies and plenty of architectural detail, and not box-shaped at all.  I'm sure the number of roofs and varying heights makes it a nightmare to maintain, but it's a good looking house.

Hardy planted the trees to shelter the garden and gradually created a beautiful garden, with a croquet lawn and the Nut Walk and often he would walk along here every day.

The woodland area was great to see as our garden has many trees, and its these gardens which give me ideas of plants to introduce in our garden, especially those that will add some colour interest. The bluebells were about to burst into flower, and the raindrops on the leaves just emphasised their lushness.

It was here that I spotted a row of forsythia cuttings in a row and gave me the idea to do something similar.  I don't think my cuttings have made it, but I'm definitely going to try this again.  

I'll leave you with another shot of the house, it really is a good looking house isn't it? - and the recommendation to pop along and see the house and the garden for yourself if you're close by.

Succulents galore, sigh...

I do enjoy a succulent, and that's why almost every visit I've made - and no doubt will continue to make - to Wisley involves a trip to the Alpine House. I've already shared the Spring colours of the irises, narcissus and muscari, the small flowers that pack a big punch and today it's the turn of the succulents. 

It's all too easy to forget these are also alpines, some are outside the greenhouses while others are nestled amongst the flowers I've already shared. My favourites were those outside, so that's where most of my photos come from.

It's only recently that I've learnt that succulents can change colour, somehow I think if the ones above were just green, while they'd still look great, they wouldn't look anywhere near as dramatic?

The ones growing out of the hexagonal brick below are densely packed and therefore no doubt highly promiscuous. But in succulents, that's a good thing!

I was intrigued by the leaves on this one - it's inside, and almost has the look of a cyclamen doesn't it?

The ones above had an almost water lily-like feel to them don't they, with gravel obviously, not water.  Having scoured the inside of the Alpine house, I was back outside admiring those nestled among upturened slabs and stones, which I'm sure is why these are a rockery favourite.

Even with the weeds and decaying leaves they manage to look interesting don't they?  Maybe I should refer to my plot as "interesting" from now on...

Seeing them nestled amongst the slabs here with the lichen has given me an idea. I'm struggling to find something that will grow in a narrow strip between our patio and fence, so I'm wondering if some succulents may help. While I've got one or two already, perhaps I should add to my collection and introduce some different varieties to try it with... 

I'd be keen to have something like these above too - just look at the detail? I love their spikiness, oh dear I've a feeling a trip to the garden centre could be coming on...