Valerie, an old school friend, lives in Hampshire so we do not often get a chance to meet. When she saw a local coach trip to Leeds Castle advertised she asked if we could meet there. After a walk through the woodland garden, we decided on lunch at a local pub before continuing our amble through the castle and grounds. A pleasant day, which ended all too quickly as the coach was waiting for the return journey.
Percy, the white peacock, shows off …
… whilst a youngster does his best but he will have to wait another year.
This is how it should be done.
Tulip beds in the old duckery
Mick and Valerie
Black swans nest near the cascade.
The woodland garden
Anemones in the woodland garden
View to the main drive
A magnolia in bloom
Part of the tulip festival: a display in the castle
Culpepper garden: some of the tulips grown for the festival
A kookaburra in the aviary
A white swan guards an egg.
The Lady Baillie garden with yet more tulips
Mick and Valerie take a break.
View from the Lady Baillie garden over the Great Water
More tulips in the Culpepper garden
Mauro Giuliani – Capriccio