Sun and blue skies, what a treat for January. And way too nice to be indoors, like many others we headed out to a local garden this weekend to make the most of the weather. We arrived at Emmetts Garden at lunchtime on Sunday, with plenty of people arriving before us, and some after us too.

Despite it being just a little over thirty minutes from us, it was our first visit. We’d planned to head out in Saturday, but one thing led to another and then it was almost 1pm, and while not late, we didn’t want to rush around somewhere on our first visit.

So better, and earlier plans were made for Sunday. Even though the sun was out, even at 1pm there was still evidence of the morning’s frost in the Rose Garden, at the shadier end.

But what a bench, and what contrast against the skies. Imagine sitting on the bench surrounded by the scent from the roses, warmed by the sun. Sounds great doesn’t it? I’ve a feeling that now that we’ve found Emmetts Garden we’ll be back throughout the year.

Of course, the gardens weren’t lost. We’d driven past them, or close by, many a time. Me in the car, MOH on his bike en-route to his mums, and it was nice to explore the inside of the plot for a change.

The gardens boast of great views over the surrounding countryside, and we weren’t disappointed. MOH was soon pointing out local landmarks, like the reservoir in the distance.

The paths are up and down, and mostly hard standing, though the longer routes around the woodland have a more natural feel. With the more natural paths, especially in recent weather, comes mud. Though I was feeling relatively smug, having thought ahead and pulled on my timberlands before leaving the car park.

They were needed. I’m not really a fan of mud it must be said, but with the right footwear it was manageable. Being able to stop to liken the lichen (that still never gets old!), also helped.

Even though the gardens were busy, many of the muddier paths were quiet and it was refreshing to just have a wander. Even MOH slowed down a bit once we got more into the woodland, there was no need to rush through such beautiful scenery.

And choosing the right path, or mud route, needs consideration.

We did have a chuckle though as a little lad went past with his parents teaching him the start of the Fi Fi Fo Fum rhyme, with mum hastily explaining that it was because of the ‘giants steps’. The lad himself wasn’t so sure, and had the look of suspicion as if his parents might be having him on, but also happy to be the ‘giant’ and bellow his new knowledge and rhyme.

I bet this place holds memories for them all, maybe in years to come. Even this one. That’s what gardens, and nature, does, even if we don’t know it at the time. Or even if we do.

For our part we followed the Ram Pump Walk to the pump, then strayed onto the red route, it was only when we got to the road with a sign to the garden pointing the way that we’d just come, we questioned our wisdom, and the time, and turned back. I’m sure the rest of the walk would have been fine, but it wasn’t quite our plans, which as you might guess included a cup of tea and a slice of cake, or at least a look in the door.

And look in the door was all we did, the queue was still to the threshold so we headed on and through the South garden, then into the Rock garden. For me, this is the part I want to see how it changes - right now, there’s heathers, bare patches and primroses starting to flower, and a leaky pond with great reflections.

But for now, that’s where our visit to Emmetts ends, I’m saving the photos of the flowering heathers until Friday…