darlings
before we pop the kettle on to make a Pot of tea and then have a quick nap before our evening’s engagements…….we wanted to show you where we’ve just been.
but we are not Sure we can tell you where it Was.
we offered Picture Approval to the Head Gardener who gave us a delicious preview of a splendid Garden not yet open to the General Public (so Chic – and we had to carry a hard hat as well) and he airily said, “no need” but we forgot to say “can we say where we were?” and so we’re going to Keep Quiet about where-we-were but if He wants to pop a little comment in the comment-field (hint) to say it’s Quite OK to do so – we’d love that.
UPDATE: he said yes (see comments) – we were Here!
for now – flowers – flowers – blooms – trees – leaves – sunlight kisses on Live oak trees and sunbeams on swift and vocal hummingbirds and one delicious Drowsy Bee nourishing itself inside a fully flourishing floral delight.
after the garden pictures, we have provided a helpful (or what we Hope is helpful) link to Vita Sackville-West’s Gardening Diaries from the late 1940s to early 1950s – just to add contrast and depth and because we were so overawed by the beauteous garden that we don’t quite know what to say that would be better (plus you May recall that we Share a birthday with Vita in RL…….just saying…..).
firstly – the bounty from the Farmers’ Market – aren’t those creamy-white roses so Terribly Syrie Maugham?
then we drove (not far) across town for Brunch and spent a few moments in reverie in the back garden by the water feature and leaned down to nuzzle with……
the most delicious golden (in Southern California). 
who nestled down by the elegant and pretty Raffish brown leather couch as we all had brunch and talked at the sunny table nearby before piling into a large motor vehicle and being driven to where-we-cannot-say.
Voila!
the garden (in Preview mode). 
as promised – a drowsy bee sipping (does a bee sip?) pollen. 
and now for Vita:
we must remember, of course, that February in England in those days (and now, we hear) was Very cold and the plants would be grasping different soil and probably hibernating waiting for signs of Spring.
and now to Nap with newly-minted memories of gardens in preview and dreams-of-gardens we may plant ourselves (or get a lot of help with from People who Know) in the Future.
*softYawn*
did you have a nap?
it’s always a good idea on a sunday, especially when one has been In The Garden, darlings.
Dearest D – Heather – and Julia
rushing to get the Laundry done before the other residents in the building decide they don’t have enough socks (either) for tomorrow so just a short response to say we’re happy to provide sunshine :-)
_tg xxx
The gardens are so inviting! There’s a bit of sunshine where I am, I admit, but too chilly (for wimpy me) to wander in it, when I can. (Is it April yet???)
Oh, for a brief swept away few days somewhere warm and floral… perhaps with a golden to snuggle up to. (Maybe Ben and Kipling are available?)
As per usual, I couldn’t agree with Julia more! It is gray here in Provence as well. And absolutely solid mass of clouds, unusual for here so I won’t complain but will take in all of this gorgeous color and life quite willingly! Such tender blooms and oh, those roses. You would think that I would have access to such perfect beauties all year round but you would be wrong–this isn’t Paris! ;)
And Diego Dog–what lovely portraits of such an obviously sweet soul. He is smitten by you, it shows! When Goldens have white around the muzzle like that we call it “sugar face”–isn’t that sweet?
Bisous!
what a wonderful way to start into /yet another/ grey day in berlin.
lovely pics, lovely story, lovely gardener as well.
yes, i did have a nap too. and it was just right.
sending love from europe*
j.
Richard
*blush* at your kind comment about our Pictures. Most Kind.
we would love to spend more time with you and Diego and perhaps take a Hike in the early morning misty-ness sometime?
much love, and thank you ever so much for Brunch and the Tour!
_teamgloria xx
Such a joy to brunch with you today and Diego Dog so enjoyed your beautiful portraits. The pictures of the new Wildlife Garden at the Natural History Museum are sublime… you were as busy as bee with that camera! I am blessed to have such a beautiful place to work and to have beautiful new friends, too.