The loo we couldn't find at first

Once we found our hotel in Lyon - which was trickier than you might expect, as the entrance was low key to say the least, we learnt we’d had a room upgrade as we checked in. That doesn’t happen to us so often, so it was quite exciting. As we were shown our room we took it all in our stride as we were shown around, but as soon as she was gone, we were exploring for ourselves, looking out of the window for the view, checking the snacks on the dressing table, the wardrobes with its towelling robes, and the bathroom. It’s just that one thing was missing. And that was the loo.

Seriously.

A huge bath, luxurious toiletries, fluffy towels, a fancy sink. But no loo.

There had to be one. And then in clicked.

It had to be off the mirrored entrance-way…

From the outside you'd never know

And so it was, opposite the wardrobe. The brass door knob in the picture above was the only clue we had. And neither of us were quite ready for what was behind that door.

inside it was just bonkers and not dissimilar to a caravan loo
quite a view from the loo

Yes, our very own OTT hand-painted chateau-scene. If It’d have told you beforehand, I’m not sure you would have believed me, and seeing was believing.

fun at the chateau

It was totally bonkers, and totally made for my Loo Series posts - did they know? And what were the other room’s loos like?

In truth, it was a bit like a caravan loo, just quite a fancy one. But still bonkers.

a well hidden loo

Only in Lyon. Or is it?

PoCoLo

A change of scenery

I originally planned to share this post last week but it wasn’t to be, so here it is now. And as I said in my weekly round-up post, it was nice to have something different to photograph while I waited for MOH, and spending time (however short) in a garden that’s not your own connects you to nature in a completely different, but good, way.

I think it will be hard for anyone not to be cheered by the sun on this vibrant poppy, I know I was totally mesmerised.

poppy in the sun

Well, until I spotted the sun on the love-in-a-mist looking delicate and determined at the same time.

love in a mist

With a camera in hand, albeit an iPhone, I know I see things differently so looking down from above and trying to capture the light, for me, is key. And things that may get overlooked in everyday life become the focus, elevating them from their usual everyday existence.

sundial and pale green flowers
leaves and a concrete sphere

Even spotting a ‘water caterpillar’ on the hosta leaves was an absolute joy, and I’m so pleased the photo worked out and reflects how it looked in real life.

water droplet on hosta leaf

You’ll know I need no excuses for snapping succulents, but add terracotta and fallen camellia blooms, yeap, it was always going to happen, wasn’t it?

succulents in a pot
terracotta and fallen camellia

Colour and texture are as important in the garden, here the acer leaves add the colour and in the greenhouse the thermometer adds texture as well as usefulness stylishly - much prettier than my functional plastic one!

red leafed acers
thermometer in the greenhouse

The garden is full of geraniums, and as I waited it became a slight obsession to capture the sun shining through their leaves. It seems even the spiders are fans.

geranium and spider

We’ve booked to go to RHS Hyde Hall on Friday, our first trip out in eleven weeks, so I’m hoping for plenty more new vistas and flowers to snap and share. I’m sure our visit will be quite unlike any of our other visits there, but isn’t so much of our daily lives like that now?

PoCoLo

The Garden Year: June

We’re spending more and more time in the garden, in part thanks to the nice weather, but also because there’s so much to be done and because of lockdown. We’re fortunate to have a garden, we know that, but it’s also a lot of work. But it’s rewarding too.

The flower of the month has to be roses, ours are really starting to bloom and we’re deadheading to keep the flowers coming. My greenhouse is starting to become full and I’m constantly going over the pots i have available, and what I plan to plant where. I’m sure it changes each time, and I just hope I have enough space for everything that needs planting out.

With the weather so nice it’s also been a good time to take my houseplants out for a really good water. We lost the orchids over the winter, I’m not sure if it was too much or too little water. I’m determined to try again though.

houseplants having a drink outside

June in the garden

  • Add some butterfly-attracting plants, such as aubretia, rocket, valerian, lavender, scabiosa, honesty and buddleja.

  • Give houseplants an airing outside, and a good drink.

  • Regularly deadhead perennials and roses to encourage more flowers.

  • Water containers, bedding plants and vegetables regularly.

  • Look after your strawberry plants, and aim to beat your garden’s wildlife to them.

  • Feed tomatoes, peppers and similar vegetables every two weeks - read the instructions, and make sure you dilute it!

“TheGardenYear

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