Lady Jane's Garden

I appear to have had a bit of a 'blogging break!' It wasn't intentional, and I hadn't realised I was having one until the weeks just slipped away.  Since arriving back from Sussex,  life has just seemed hectic, although I don't suppose it has been. We had friends and family staying, and then, when I thought I'd start blogging again, the weather changed and the sun shone, so I've been out in the garden -hardly making any impact,  but pulling up weeds nevertheless, and rushes, and strimming. But please note the wonderful blue sky and wall to wall sunshine!
And talking of gardens....

I must show you Lady Jane's garden. On the other side of the hill from us, Lady Jane lives in her beautiful 18th-century manor - Dundonnell House. And each year she opens her garden to the public.

Lady Jane Rice is tiny. She sits at a tiny table wearing a smart blue cardigan and sells tickets for the entrance to her garden. She is the estranged wife of Sir Tim

 and her garden is beautiful. These were taken last month at the beginning of April just as all the spring bulbs were in flower. I went with two friends from the Lochside, Alison and Mary and we had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

I don't suppose Tim, when he visits, does much in the way of gardening, but Lady Jane is passionate and has a gardener to help her and give advice. Between them they have restored and added to the garden which apparently had been much neglected over the years.

The beautifully restored Edwardian glasshouse.

It isn't too tidy and it isn't too neat

Some of the garden wall has fallen into the river

and while waiting for repair a rope takes the place of the wall and serves as a reminder not to go too near to the edge!

Two little cherubs pouring water out of a jug - I think....!

Wobbly hedges

The newness and freshness of spring

These pictures were taken a month ago. The trees and shrubs are now in full leaf and flower

The most wonderful thing about Lady Jane's garden is the magnificent An Teallach mountain which provides  the perfect backdrop to the trees and flowers.
Lady Jane doesn't just potter about in her garden, she has worked hard on a project to re-establish red squirrels  in the Scottish highlands. A recent count showed that the red squirrel population on the Dundonnell Estate is on the increase. I've planted Hazel trees in our garden in readiness should any brave little squirrel make the journey over the hill from Dundonnell to Letters.

It's nice to be back. I've missed having a bit of a blog!