Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Tuesday 4 June 2013

Esotera

Miss Mary Martindale worked on and on,
Polishing her garden until it shone;
She wouldn’t let young children smell her roses,
Unless she knew that they had wiped heir noses.
And yet, somehow, her garden never earned
Those cries of ecstasy for which she yearned.

People admired her garden, it is true:
No Gentians had ever been so blue;
No garden paths were ever quite so neat;
You felt they were too fine for human feet.
The tennis lawn was cut and nicely rolled,
And yet, somehow, her garden left you cold.

This worried poor Miss Martindale a lot.
What was it that her garden hadn’t got?
Pausing beside her Salpiglossis bed,
She asked if I could tell her; so I said:
“Your garden lacks a modicum of weeds;
I’ll send along some Dandelion seeds.”

By Reginald Arkell
 
Photos taken at Esotera garden at Foddington, 
near Babcary in Somerset.
A two acre garden with duckponds, wild havens (with plenty of weeds!), 
shepherds huts, quirky objects and interesting places to sit and ponder. 
Lots more photos taken but they seem to have gone awol :( grr!
 
Later they sat by the river and ate a simple meal.
They listened ... and watched.
Sometimes life is perfect.

26 comments:

greenthumb said...

Lovely photos.

Outcast said...

Beautiful photos Jane, really
captures the goodness and joy from Summer, absolutely love this.

Maria said...

~ Ooh loved that poem...Feels like I have read it before, but just forgotten it with all the business of life ~ Tis true words too. Dandelions and Daisies are a must! For a garden that is wild and free!~ Glad the sun shinned on your happy day, Mrs VJ..~ hugs Maria x.

Hesta Nesta said...

Beautiful photos, would love to spend an afternoon with a good book by that river.
Jo xx

elegancemaison said...

Such beautiful photos. And love that poem!Cx

Things and Thoughts said...

So much enjoyed this story...river landscape seems exciting to me, it's so rare by us.
Big hugs and take care Jane!
Olympia

Willow said...

Oh how I love a lazy river, they are so relaxing.

Shortbread and Ginger said...

Lovely photographs.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

Greenorchid said...

Apsolutely... I love my wild flowers... Lovely images.. Cx

haggiz said...

Love the poem and all your photos but especially the first one, there's something about sitting by water isn't there. Julie x

ted and bunny said...

yes it is isn't it!

Vix said...

What wonderful words and images. xxx

Sopa Azul said...

I really liked the story. :D

Plain Jane said...

Great little poem - I know someone just like that and although their garden is enviable in a lot of ways there is a lack of generosity that leaves me a bit cold - maybe a few dandelion seeds ..... Jane x

freckleface said...

So true, a garden that is too neat does lack heart. I like the sound of this garden, Esotera with the Shepherd's huts and that lovely photo of the boat. xxx

Anonymous said...

Such lovely words, and such a wonderful garden...
Thea x

nilly said...

A wonderful poem - is it yours?
Quite a few Miss Martindales live around me - hope they don't mind a few of my dandelion seeds blowing their way...

The Faerie Factory said...

Is there anything more perfect than a row boat picture... lovely poem too. Sarah x

The Dainty Dolls House said...

So amazing, loved the poem too xx

rusty duck said...

Oh so true!
Esotera sounds lovely too.

grace said...

lovely poem and fabulous old wheels

grace said...

sorry if this posts twice, good poem choice and fabulous wheels

Deborah Darling said...

Hello Jane--what a gorgeous blogg you have, I am now a very keen follower :)) I love collecting as well as making, so I will be keeping an eye on your wares--always feel free to get intouch with me if you have something that you think I might like xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Custards said...

That looks like a lovely spot to go and visit - I have never heard of there before. I am partial to a bit of architectural vintage....
Best wishes
Jenny

Young at Heart said...

quite magical!!

...Nina Nixon... said...

That last shot is just gorgeous.