The loo with a garden

Indeed. Who’d have thought? Not that long ago I shared the outside loo, so I should have expected the loo with a garden not to be too far behind. And it’s quite a garden.

HOW MANY YELLOWS?

Technically it’s to the side of the loo, but as the loos were the closest building I’m claiming it for them. The toilet block was less pretty though, despite the espaliered purple leaved plant, and plenty of lichen to liken (Sorry. Still not tired of that one).

Sadly though, it went downhill from there. Two cubicles. One out of order. And a Brownie pack in front of me. Though they were quite entertaining.

So unusually for a Loo Series post, there’s distinctly few loos. But there are exceptional knotted hedges to make up for that.

And a view. But really, look at the intricate box shapes.

Which reminds me I should look out and share my photos from the Chateau de Villandry, which I’ve still not shared here, and which popped up in my Instagram archive this week. Look out for more hedges shortly, or well my shortly, which could still be a while.

This picture from the gatehouse shows the small toilet block, the hedges (again) and the garden to the side.

I think though for it’s prettiest garden, it deserves its place in the Loo Series.

Motor cars, prints with all the glamour

Motor cars, just saying the words make me smile and think of something terribly old-fashioned. And if you’ve already seen the pictures in this post, you’ll understand why it’s motor car, and not just car.

Motor cars scream glamour, sophistication and money. Though to be fair, today’s more modern day versions are hardly cheap are they?

But it was on our recent trip to Kenilworth Castle that my inner petrol-head was once again reignited. And in the most fantastic way, with these fascinating drawings, or prints of old-fashioned cars. They were part of the 'Speed and Power: John Siddeley, Pioneer of the Motor Age' at Kenilworth Castle, which celebrates motoring and aviation pioneer, Sir John Siddeley and first Baron Kenilworth, a British motoring pioneer who bought the castle in 1937.

Aren’t they great? And weren’t you momentarily transported back to what appears to be a more glamorous - and one would expect, less road rage filled - age?

Poppy heads and tentative sweet peas

We’re staying in Yorkshire for today’s post, and it’s the first Flowers on Friday for a week or two. When I was sorting through photos of Castle Howard for yesterday’s Brideshead Revisited post, the poppies and their seedheads stood out. I”m not sure if it’s the insect on one, how they’re all standing to attention or the contrast with the dark background, which is actually a yew hedge. Or the delicate pinkness of the flowers. Or the sun, which has been mostly missing this week hasn’t it?

It’s not been cold though. Just wet. Very wet.

Maybe it’s the sun as this sweet pea making its way up the obelisk also appealed. Sigh.

Just a short post today, but one full of sunshine. A girl can dream hey?

Or, we could all combine our sun dancing skills, it seems we’ve perfected our rain dancing ones!