Two walled gardens I've enjoyed

Today I'm looking back at two walled gardens I've enjoyed and that I hope you'll enjoy too. Because really there's nothing that brings a smile to my face as much as a walled garden does. So let's get started.

1. The walled garden at Marks Hall Arboretum, Essex

It's a couple of years since we visited the arboretum and when we did I wasn't expecting to find a walled garden, but we did.  It really was beautiful and you'd never know that these pictures were taken on a rainy Bank Holiday - what is it with Bank Holidays and rain?

ANTIRHINUMS

BOX BALLS

CISTUS

ALLIUMS

2. The walled garden at Houghton Hall, Norfolk

This garden is huge for a walled garden and we didn't leave enough time to enjoy it properly, but even in our less-than-an-hour-quick-dash around this garden we saw so much. And it's one we'll be visiting again when we're in Norfolk.

OOPS, MORE HEDGES

THE WATER FLAME

A PERGOLA COVERED IN WISTERIA

A BEEHIVE IN THE ORCHARD

I was surprised to realise that I've only managed to write about two walled gardens so far, I'm clearly lacking in this department.  So please let me know your favourite walled garden so I can start making a list.

Five of my favourite craft posts

After thinking about my favourite hedges last week I got thinking about all the crafts I've shared here. For someone that only got back into crafting at the start of 2014 there's more than I expected. Today I'm sharing five of my favourites.

1. Cute Triangle pouches

These pouches were my first attempt at sewing anything useful for quite a while. I'd bought some fabric on a visit to the V&A but hadn't used it. So when I finally bought some small zips I knew what I was going to make.  

And there's two because I made one for my mum, as a surprise.  And quite a surprise for her for me to make something as a gift.  I've since made more and filled them with sweets on the Christmas tree. They were quite popular too!

2. Gift bows from magazines

The simplicity of this one amazed me. I grew up in the Seventies when these kind of bows where on presents everywhere. I know you can still get them but somehow they went off my radar.  But they're back and I think I like the handmade upcycled magazine versions even more.

3. Bleached pine cones

This is one that's not for the impatient. Or the unorganised.  But despite being both of those I tried it anyway. For the price of a bottle of bleach I got some pretty pine cones - and clean bricks in the garden too!

4. Rolled paper shapes for cards

Another use for those old magazines - something I've plenty of. At the time there were lots of rolled paper items around so I thought I'd get in on the act.  I used my new die cutting machine and the result was squashed rolled paper shapes, but an effect I loved even more than the rolled paper shapes.  I need to do these again soon I think.

5. My new tote bag

Yes more sewing, and this is a recent project too.  When I agreed to make this bag I only hoped it would turn out as well as it did. I'm itching to make some more of these style bags, but goodness knows what I'll do with them.  It's not exactly the kind of bag I could send MOH to the shops with is it?

So there you go, my five favourite craft posts - did I include your favourite?

Three of my favourite hedges

Yes, you read that right. I have favourite hedges. They're pretty special too. I love how they're shaped and recognisably so. At home I shape some of my plants but so far haven't really ventured too far from the box spheres or the cone shaped yew.  Maybe one day I will, but in the meantime I'll be admiring these hedges instead.

1. The "wave" hedges at the Thames Barrier Park

We discovered this one on a bike ride and it was an unexpected find especially so close to home too. The hedges are in one an old lock which was an entrance to London's docks. We've cycled past these many times since and one day I'll stop again for another photo shoot!

See more at: Hedges at the Thames Barrier Park

2. The bubble hedges at Houghton Hall

This was on another cycling adventure and quite a day too.  As I made my way to Houghton Hall to meet MOH my chain came off and without any tools to start to fix it I was stranded until MOH found me.  That prompted a purchase of my own bike tool as you'd imagine I didn't want to be stuck like that again.

We got soaked, dried out in the cafe and had a great afternoon wandering around the house, its grounds and the walled garden - it's a huge place too, so plenty of room for hedges.  These bubble hedges were my favourite but there's also the Sybil hedge here and much, much more to see.

See more at: Hedges and huts at Houghton Hall

3. The elephant hedge at Stiffkey

Another Norfolk hedge, this one is in someone's garden so to see this one there was some strategic walking up and down and getting up on tiptoes. But it was worth it, just look.

See more at: Stiffkey hedges and stores

So there you have my favourite hedges, do you know of more I'd like?