From the bower 44

MUSINGS FROM THE BOWER 44

 

The bower is looking beautiful at the moment, with clematis and honeysuckle all around, and a gorgeous double-flowered mock orange shrub nearby. At night the area is illuminated with multi-coloured fairy lights, and sitting there, enjoying the evening scents that waft across, listening to the gentle splashing from the fountain, gazing at the little pond which is also prettily illuminated (some might say tackily!) is bliss. My haven, my own little mini palace  – which leads on quite nicely to a recent outing, a trip to the Coronation Festival Event that was held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took place on June 2nd 1953, and sixty years later, a unique four day event gathered together representatives from those companies which are holders of the Royal Warrant, to showcase their work. The Royal Warrant is granted to those who have supplied products or services for at least five years to the Royal Households of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales.

A couple of weeks ago I went to this Coronation Festival, which was held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. I was thrilled to go through the palace gates that are normally barred to the public, and to step onto the vast lawn which sported marquees displaying an amazing assortment of products that met with Royal approval. These included equestrian items, posh cars, biscuits, books, tailored clothing, umbrellas, glass crystal, carriages, shoes, jewellery, hats and welly boots! Most people had dressed up for the occasion – not formally, but ladies sported pretty frocks whist the gents wore shirts and slacks, rather than jeans. After all, it isn’t every day that you visit Buckingham Palace.

One of the companies represented was responsible for sweeping the chimneys of the royal residences, and so there were a couple of traditional chimney sweeps riding around the grounds on their bicycles, complete with soot smattered faces and sweeps’ brushes. Of course, I couldn’t resist having my photo taken with them. I haven’t seen a proper chimney sweep since I was a child, when, with great excitement, I would watch from our garden as the brush suddenly appeared from the chimney pot.

Also on display were a selection of items used in the making of the Harry Potter films – there was a golden snitch, the sword of Gryffindor, Hermione’s time turner necklace and, naturally, a broomstick that hung from the ceiling all ready for a game of Quidditch.  This were a very popular exhibit, as was the House of Glass which depicted interior design over the last sixty years – the outside of the ‘house’ was made from mirrored glass that gleamed in the sunshine. I wasn’t the only one who used the glass to take a self-portrait!

The palace gardens were beautiful, with deep herbaceous borders filled with flowers. I was particularly taken by the masses of blue delphiniums. The scent of sweet peas and lilies drifted across, and everything was immaculate. There was a large lake with a heron, moorhens and ducks, and some interesting trees – but oh, it was so hot, walking around in the sun. Eventually we found a seat under a tree and ate delicious strawberry ice-creams.


Lavender Farm

A few days later found my daughter and I in Norfolk, at another royal residence, Sandringham. This time though we weren’t exploring the house (which is extremely beautiful and certainly worth a visit) but just calling in at the Sandringham visitors’ centre which we tend to use as ‘a base’ when we are in that part of the world. You can get a snack or meal in the excellent restaurant, buy plants or attractive gifts in the shops, and, best of all, just sit and while away the time with an ice cream – there are plenty of benches around the complex. You can even take a fascinating, if somewhat bumpy, tractor ride around the estate, complete with a commentary from the driver.  When it is  really hot we have been known to just sit under the trees with a book, a delightfully lazy way of spending a summer’s day.

Pensthorpe

On the hottest day of the year, we visited Pensthorpe nature reserve, near Fakenham. It’s a wonderful place to go to, there are hundreds of ducks and geese to see, as well as a wildflower meadow, shady woodlands, lakes and streams. Butterflies and dragonflies abounded. We also visited the lavender farm at Hencham, and the lavender garden in front of the main centre was stunning – rows of lavender-coloured, lavender-scented, lavender bushes, all buzzing with bees!

The next day we roamed Hunstanton beach, searching for pretty shells, stones or fossils. Although it was hot, every-so-often it rained a little, but – hey, we’re British! We ignored the rain, as did everyone else, and just continued walking on the beach, eating ice creams or sitting on the prom.  We also called in at Caithness Glass in King’s Lynn, which always has colourful treasures. You can sometimes watch glass being blown there, too.

Wicken Fen

On the way back home we detoured to Wicken Fen near Cambridge– yet again, it was hot. The weather is really spoiling us at the moment. This area is especially renowned for its dragonflies, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. There were hundreds of them, in shimmering shades of turquoise, blue, green and red. Butterflies abounded too, and it was so peaceful walking along the boardwalk through the reed beds. Wicken Fen is a National Trust property and certainlyyet another great place to visit.

Even so, it was lovely to reach home again, back to the garden and, of course, to the bower. The buddleias are in full bloom and attracting several species of butterflies, while family of great tits is regularly visiting the feeders. How good it is to feel the sun, enjoy the flowers and gaze at that blue, cloudless sky – I do love summer, even though it makes me extremely lazy!