Six on Saturday - Deckchair days ahead

It has been hot, very hot: with temperatures in the shade in the back garden up to 28 C, very little gardening is being attempted, except watering, plus I have been watering a friend's garden. However admiring the gallop of plants through spring towards summer is in order this week, as I am sure it is for many gardeners that like me, write about six things in their garden, then link into Jim's post: Six on Saturday.

1. I am celebrating the deckchair today.  The traditional type made in the UK: the hard wood and stripped cotton affair, the sort you can nip you fingers if you are not careful.  I've liked them all my life, and last year on the Isle of Wight at Osborne House I spent a while just sitting there with my eyes closed listening to the waves lapping onto the shingle beach.  This week I ordered my very own deckchair and to my amazement it arrived the next day.  It has given me quite a different view of the garden. (Oops, I just realised I never wrote up about our holiday on the Isle of Wight! Maybe something to do next week).  

I am relaxing in the garden, and being 'petite', it suits me perfectly with the canvas behind catching the sounds of the birdsong and scents, and maybe even amplifying it.  Its a little like the effect of cupping ones hand behind one's ears to catch sound, or maybe that was the effect of my large sun hat? I am sitting at a different height and view the garden differently compared to our other seats. We would have to order the larger editions for Mr S as he is so much taller than me, however he said we would feel more comfortable on the bench with its thick cushions.

2. Straight in front of me I have a view of Buddha under his shady Acer. For now it is a beautiful green and having misplaced its name my SOS sis who is the font of all knowledge and speaks several languages, so she tells me, named it Acer Wakaranai (Japanese for 'unknown')several years ago.  I ought maybe to have repotted the acer this year. However the Deckchair gardener simply skimmed off the collection of little stones at the top, and before putting them back sprinkled some slow release ericaceous plant feed pellets.  Most of my larger container plants have been moved onto this shadier side of the stony 'patio' on the north side of the conservatory to escape the glaring sun. Like most small back gardens we could have opted to have the paving slab some of patio or indeed decking, of which we had both in the previous garden, but having a small stone surface was an original design decision, as I love the sound and feeling of walking over small stones, and it allowed for excellent drainage during heavy rain periods.

3. From the low angle of the deckchair the garden looks evenly attractive, with the developing foliage hiding the early spring plants that are fading now. This is the view towards the gravel garden.

I did notice the sprinkling of dead leaves which have been drifting down from the overhanging Holm Oak, but really it is an effort to get out of the lovely deckchair.  It is far too relaxing! If I had been sitting on any of the other chairs I would have been seeing something to do and jumping up and getting on with it.

4. I did get up finally, and went over to take of picture of this lovely Phlox bifida 'Ralph Hayward'.  Each season I take some cuttings for insurance purposes as I love it so much.

5. Just where is that lovely scent coming from?  I pan round from where I was relaxing, and it became obvious it was one of these two, but on sniffing them, I think it is  delightful harmony of the two scents.

Firstly some Lily of the Valley: last year I had planted up a pot with these. I have a few plants struggling along the compost alley which is far too dry and really away from where it can most be enjoyed, and after growing them so nicely in my previous garden, resolved to have some that were accessible.  After flowering this pot will spend the rest of the year probably in a shady spot under the gooseberries.  The Nemesia 'Wisley Vanilla' are flowering in the same spot for the fourth year!

6. Also across the garden towards 'Gooseberry Corner' the Cornus controversa 'Variegata' is just coming into bud ready to flower. I am delighted I planted this tree in that spot.  Towards dusk when we are still sat in the evening, it starts to glow, again this picture was taken from deckchair view with a little zoom, and cropping! We have had breakfast, lunch and dinner in the garden this week on several days, even before 1 May.

 

It is going to be cooler in the next few days in comparison, so maybe there will be different types of six items from the garden to talk about next week. 
 

Holiday in Holland - Visit to Delft on our last day

 We enjoyed another full day before boarding our Stena Hollandica Ferry for our overnight crossing back to Harwich. 

Before lunch a tour of the Royal Delft Museum had been arranged for the party. Our tour guide explained the history of Delft ware to us. I was particularly interested to hear about the production of building ceramics. 

Royal Delft  produced building ceramics for, among others, the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam and also the Old Post Office in Rotterdam. Displayed over a number of rooms and the courtyard, replicas and examples of building ceramics that were mainly produced in the period between 1880 and 1930 can be seen. The rooms in the Monumental Building are decorated with, among other things, pillars, tile tableaus, ceramic elements and even a fountain. The Staircase really shows off the use of these products.

In the inner courtyard which was a very pleasant place to sit in, and where cafe customers had overspilled into more of the use of the Delft buildings ceramics were on display.

There were cabinets of historical pieces and the Royal Collection all beautifully arranged.  However we had to move on with the group, and told that at the end of the tour we were welcome to return to take time over the exhibits.

Since my spree as Gallery Steward during the Wells exhibition 'Smashed in the Cellar', and understanding how imports from China encouraged British manufacture or copies of these ceramics. I was interested to see how Delft too had followed this route.

 

The Original Chinese plate is on the left dated at around 1700, and the Delft copy on the right dates from around 1760.  Both plates depict in the centre a young man standing on an enclosed terrace, with a pagoda and a vase of flowers. Hibiscus flowers, and leaf shaped medallions surround this, alternating with images of precious objects.

On the factory floor, the production of  the ceramics was explained from mixing the clay using kaolin imported from Cornwall, to the use of moulds, the sponging of the pots to remove mould marks, the firing, stencil application and hand painting or putting on of transfers for the less expensive pieces.  One of their top painters was completely immersed in her work.The guide explained that it took many years to attain this standard, and the hardest part was probably mixing the different hues of blue, which look grey before firing,  and applying them consistently over the artifact.

Below the various stages of achieving the final pot from the imprint of the design via a stencil to firing of the pot which turns the colours blue is shown in these four vases.

After our tour we headed to spend the rest of the day in Delft.  From the coach park it was a very pleasant walk to the centre of the old City.  The layout and architecture was stunning, and we had hardly time to cover it, and several days would have been needed, so hopefully we shall have the opportunity for another visit.

We soon settled on where to get a bite to eat, sitting outside under plane trees with their leaves just emerging on this gorgeous spring day. How did we choose this place, well we just saw that it was well frequented with locals who were eating mainly a great looking 'sandwich'. I really do recommend 

BAR S on the Beestenmarkt in Delft.  The service was very friendly and when complimenting the waitress on the Dutch Apple Cake, she was delighted and said that she made them, and this one was baked that morning and even shared the recipe with me!

As I researched on the web regarding Dutch Food I came across an excellent site with a good Dutch Apple Pie Recipe. This time in a City we decided to walk around taking in the views and the atmosphere.  As I have a great interest in baking this beautiful bakery on a street corner was one of the best I had seen on this holiday.  I only wish we had stocked up on goodies for our onward journey. Maybe it was because we were not at all hungry after that delicious lunch, that I did not pick up a selection of the delicacies displayed in their windows.

Kaas Broodje at The Diamond Ring City Bakery

'City Bakery The Diamond Ring is located at Choorstraat in Delft. This building , which once Balthazar Geraerds slept in the night before he killed William of Orange , the tastiest specialties are now in the early morning every day handicraft . Come smell, see and taste all our goodies and be convinced by the craftsmanship of your artisan baker !'

The canals and streets around them were delightful to explore,

The largest square in Delft is quite something with two prestigious buidlings The New Church where William of Orange is buried, and The Town Hall at the other. 

 

Delf is the home town of many great Dutch artists, one of which they witty postcards celebrate.

We had time to have an unscheduled stop in Rotterdam with a pleasant walk along a waterfront. 

This was a delightful holiday which we shall long remember.

Other posts for this holiday 

Holiday to Holland First day at Keukenhof Gardens

Holiday to Holland - Second Day Utrecht

Holiday to Holland - Visits to Het Loo Palace and The Netherlands Open Air Museum - A very full Third Day

Six on Saturday - 26 April 2025

 Another week has flown by, and in the garden, just a few days sees different plants coming to the fore.  These weekly posts help me to keep note of what I am up to and what is doing well in the garden.  Those of us who have managed to take pictures and have time to write something, gather over at Jim's to share a few matters horticultural.

1. Exactly still in situ where I planted some cuttings straight into the ground the lovely white flowers of the perennial are just behind the garlic chives. From the house these are very nearly obscured, the jobs to do list after flowering is finished is to move them to a better place.

Iberis sempervirens 'Snowflake'

 2. Another late spring plant which I like and have managed to easily propagate to give several patches is this Polemonium reptans Lambrook Mauve.  This is a plant that had been recommended to me by Anna, and then I found shortly afterwards at Yeo Valley in 2021. From a low tuft of leaves in a matter of a couple of weeks it has thrown up its flowers.

Polemonium reptans Lambrook Mauve

3. Over in the gravel garden another pale mauve flowering plant is looking rather attractive to us and also to the bees. Jekka's Thyme is also excellent as a thyme for cooking.  If I want to get another plant for elsewhere in the garden, I do this by topping some gravel across one of the extending shoots, and in just a few weeks it will have grown roots. I've also been using some of the propagations as interesting ground cover in the front garden where I have planted out mainly plants from Mediterranean areas.

Jekka's Thyme 

4. Over the past few weeks I have come to the conclusion that I need to  alter my attitude to the garden and gardening.  I need more time to share with my hubby on outings and holidays, and my other hobbies, and not allow the garden to control me.  I need to be able to allow the garden to tick along and therefore one way is to abandon my very small vegetable area, reduce the pots drastically, and not act as if I am a 'nursery' propagating every little plant to pass on or to sell for clubs etc.  I have been true to this in that I have already passed on all my packets of vegetable seeds, shared tools, netting etc., and this morning I shall be taking over this stack of pots to my friend Alison who has a flower farm, who will also be planting up pots for sale at her village plant sale. Of course I shall be 'open' for sharing plants to friends who visit, or may wish to have plants that I can post bare rooted. These are just some of the pots what I am getting rid of!

5. Another star in the garden is this little Phlox.  It really shines out and has been in flower for about three weeks.  This was a new plant to the garden this week bought from the excellent Rob Potterton who came to the early Rare Plant Fair at The Bishop's Palace this year.

Phlox bifida 'Alba'

6. I enjoyed varying the trimming of the Golden Lonicera balls in the front garden this week, and hope they make a few people smile. I didn't have time to do them all, so I gave all of them a partial trim. In a few weeks I shall give it an all over smooth trim, when the grooves which are now green will the golden and the rest green.

Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold'

A little broom work pushing the cuttings under the mounds will be east enough to do later today.

Holiday to Holland - Visits to Het Loo Palace and The Netherlands Open Air Museum - A very full Third Day

We had two trips organised for us: Het Loo Palace and for the afternoon The Netherlands Open Air Museum.  Again a separate full day at each site would of suited us, and on leaving each of these we felt we had wanted more time!

As we left the coach park we entered the  Stable courtyard where a magnificent tall tree not surprisingly caught my attention.

At the Het Loo Palace we had an excellent Audio Guide in English.  We both very much enjoyed the the various exhibitions in the underground halls, as well as the beautifully decorated rooms.

As we toured around the house, several of the windows gave out onto view of the Palace Gardens and given the good weather, we were looking forward to walking amongst the parterres.

We decided to have a walk around the gardens and to buy a light lunch there which we ate under the colonnades which gave us a great view of the house.

The gardens were more sparsely planted than Keukenhof, but I guess this reflected the original three century old planting styles.

 The layout, statues, fountains and hedges were in superb condition.

After that we made our way back to the coach, but without missing out the collection of cars, and carriages in the courtyard.  We were then driven over to the Netherlands Open Air Museum.

Towards the end of our day there we enjoyed taking rides in old tramcars, to get around a little more quickly, but again with only half a day we could not cover everything, and neither did I have time to take pictures of all the buildings we visited.  I particularly found the Horse powered Oil Mill interesting which had a very good hands on guide who explained the whole process to us. After touching the pouch of crushed seeds before it went into the press, I was left lovely soft and warmed hands. 

Next we went into a farmhouse where another enactor sat.  She was wearing one of the traditional head coverings and explained some of the finer intricacies of weekday, and Sunday caps, and how they differed for women in mourning, etc.  

There were some beautiful barns, 

And exploring several farm houses where the living quarters were on one end with animals at the other end.
 

It was fascinating to view and understand the rich heritage the Dutch have, and in part start to understand the character of the people and place. Of course being a descendent of a Lincolnshire Mill Owner, I have a liking for mills and the various uses they were put to.

The Museum has a number of windmills as well as horse drawn mills as used in the large commercial laundry, and the oil mill mentioned earlier. 

I found the Gardens area interesting, though by this time, we were both tired and also keeping our eye on the clock, as we had to be back to the coach in quite a short time.  The topiary was beautiful.

After this John who owns the Holiday and Coach company together with Martin, drove us back to our Hotel, in time for just a short freshen up before it was time for dinner.

Interesting posts by other bloggers: https://www.roselinde.me/netherlands-open-air-museum/

 

Holiday to Holland - Second Day Utrecht

We were very comfortable at our hotel and it was a joy to walk amongst the beautiful forest just over the road forming part of the  Beerschoten estate.  The paths were even and well marked out, and we very much enjoyed our walks there. 

Stands of Oak, Beech, Conifer, and Birch were in sections, given the impression that this forest was a series of plantations. 

During day 2 in Holland, we were driven to the outskirts of Utrecht, with just a short walk to the Old City Centre.  

We enjoyed walking around taking in the sights and admiring the architecture, and window shopping in the very varied shops. We spent some time looking around Utrecht's Centraal Museum.  In hindsight, it would have probably been best to just walk around and take in the sights of this attractive city, just because it was such a beautiful day. Of course it was a wonderful museum but I think a whole few days in Utrecht would have been necessary to do it justice. We went into the Home and Kitchen Shop Dille & Kamille and bought a few things there to bring back.  For lunch we popped into the quirky Soep-er where we enjoyed a delicious and fiery bowl of soup with bread.

We hardly touched the town given the time we enjoyed at the Museum, and hopefully we shall be returning in the next few years. 

From Dille & Kamille, I bought a little kitchen gadget to remove the last dregs from jars. It is called a Flessenlikker which could be translated as bottle licker!  I also got a couple of jars of Pistachio Butter, and two little leaf mini dishes for condiments or butter at the table.

We had delicious meals at our hotel with many of the desserts looking like the patisserie shop offerings.

Holiday to Holland First day at Keukenhof Gardens

 For the first time in several years we have journeyed abroad for a holiday. This holiday was being run by local John Martin Coach Holidays,  and both John who mainly drove, and Martin were a great team.  We stopped in Colchester for dinner before boarding the overnight ferry

After an early breakfast on board, we set off for the Keukenhof Gardens.  This is the first visit for us, and we had the best of weather: warm and sunny for our visit.  Although we arrived just at the opening time, the queues were already forming, but I guess continental visitors had looked up the weather forecast and decided to come on the best day within a fortnight.  The gardens are magnificent and the tulips very carefully chosen and planted out  densely, the lawns were perfect, and paths meandered around wonderful trees.  

Here follows is a selection pictures interspersed with a few of my thoughts. Each autumn the 7 million bulbs are planted by hand.  The quality of the blooms, and their lack of variation is a reflection of the care in growing on the bulbs.  The local soil for growing the bulbs is very sandy loam, so very different to the heavy clay here in my garden. 

I was particularly impressed by the trees in the grounds, which on a sunny day before the leaves have emerged gives a little shade to the bulbs and also delightful shadows on the swathes of perfect lawn.

Scattered around the park and even within the flower beds are a number of sculptures, some of which I had time to capture, but with my thoughts turning more towards the flowers, I didn't take much time over them, but on a second visit I would probably ask if their was a list of the sculptures and more details about each one.

There are a number of large buildings around the grounds dedicated to exhibitions which would give areas to escape to in inclement weather.  There were some fabulous displays as good as any at Chelsea Flower Show. The way the plants have been brought on to this standard and for the range of plants to be in flower in mid April is a true testimony to the specialist growers. 

My mother would have been super impressed by the variety of Anthuriums on show. These are just a few of the cultivars:

As for the orchids I have a hard time choosing my favourite even amongst the few I took pictures of.

The cut flower displays showed off the best of what Holland supplies to Europe, and this is just a small corner of the exhibition.

In the Willem-Alexander building, one could get up close to displays of tulips and the yellow and orange ones were most prominent in the sunshine.

Returning to the garden, there was of course a Windmill, with too long a queue, and many more glorious beds with flowering trees set off by very green lawns.

As for the remaining days of our holiday, separate posts will follow.