tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67489007485108130982024-02-20T19:46:57.666+00:00GartdenerJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-86048721809798891612015-02-06T13:49:00.002+00:002015-02-06T14:05:06.259+00:00Moving forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2 years goes fast but the opportunities have continued. No longer in England & living in Madrid, Spain, I am moving forward in new ways.<br />
My current adventures are :<span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://instagram.com/james.mc.grath?ref=badge" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #990000;"> Instagram:james.mc.grath</span></a><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span> </span> </span> &<br />
my work is visible here:<a href="http://www.selvaspina.com/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #990000;"> Selvaspina.com</span></a><br />
Thank you for moving forward with me! All the best- J. <br />
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<br />Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-44083826333335747352013-01-02T23:12:00.001+00:002013-01-02T23:12:26.628+00:00Two Thousand Thirteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wishing you the best for the year ahead, may it be a fantastic time for all! </div>
Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-26014444380316758182012-12-19T22:54:00.004+00:002012-12-19T22:54:37.404+00:00Suffolk pink at Wyken Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A good gardener and friend had wanted to visit this garden, one that he had known about for a while, and asked me to come along. Always knowing an adventure, and good company, when I see it, we set off out of the city. The palette soon changed from the gray colors of London to the refreshing greens of the countryside, with us whizzing past patchwork fields and down country lanes. </div>
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Welcome, to the beautiful gem called Wyken Hall, where the gardens work there way around the house and the beauty is in the details. The first, and most important thing the eye picks up on is the choice of color for the house. The unusual color gives great contrast to all of the green that surrounds it, and in some parts creates great harmony. <br />
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Quincunx... Yes, say it again. Quincunx. Never had I seen one of these before or even knew that it had a name. (And I pride myself in knowing the names of the different garden and landscape tricks.) A quincunx is a grouping of 5 equal interlocking circles or points, with four being on the outside and one in the center, or arranged in a cross. <i>Buxus</i> was the plant of choice in this case.<br />
In the center circle is a commissioned fountain created by Clive Davies who is a potter based in Suffolk. The colors are blue, white, and a reddish orange which is picked up by the house.</div>
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The base for the quincunx is made up of brick and local knapped flint and shows the beauty of great craftsmanship.</div>
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Garden beds around this part of the house are very soft and pleasing to the eye, relying on simple shapes and colors, rather than being too complex. </div>
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Kitchen garden bounty drying in the glasshouse. Imagine the smell.</div>
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Coming to the back gardens behind the house, you enter the red hot border. This is where the house and garden dance together, creating a flurry of excitement with an analogous color scheme that works so well. The house became more alive to me at this point.</div>
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<i>Achillea millefolium</i> and flint wall.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy_vJ9jOkvPoc0_OPC-ekpOkYAGgRQEdatPWP9AfR9qYWhe5vOUGRa-QDxngsRZtQ_Wg0_BkwsSJEXPD-3w4oStQoXo2pdxRFMYqg2HSE5KdYUXPj8W4RbvBmpjwaic9SkcJz03GtLFOw/s1600/IMG_7109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy_vJ9jOkvPoc0_OPC-ekpOkYAGgRQEdatPWP9AfR9qYWhe5vOUGRa-QDxngsRZtQ_Wg0_BkwsSJEXPD-3w4oStQoXo2pdxRFMYqg2HSE5KdYUXPj8W4RbvBmpjwaic9SkcJz03GtLFOw/s400/IMG_7109.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Linking the gardens croquet lawn to the meadow beyond, where your eyes cross over a handmade gate, are a pair of sculpted sheep who seem as if they have escaped the rest of the herd. </div>
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Croquet Lawn</div>
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View of the rose garden, which used to be an to be an orchard, but is now filled with old fashiones roses, herbaceous perennials and bluebells.</div>
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Always exploring, I found sculpture hidden in a corner of the rose garden in the hedge. </div>
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At first glance when arriving at the garden, I was not sure if the color of the house was something I really enjoyed, but it became my favorite feature of the garden. It warmed everything up and soon enough I was wondering what I can paint at home to have that color near me all the time. I am so curious to know what it would look like in winter with a garden full of snow. The copper red lime-wash, we were told, was called 'Suffolk Pink' in Elizabethan times. Did you notice the detail of the angel above the windows, sublime.<br />
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If ever you have the chance to walk around the garden with the owner, please do, it will give you much more insight into unlocking the details that will help you understand its character more. Thank you for warming me up Wyken Hall. </div>
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<br />Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-18072873458059967732012-11-22T22:33:00.000+00:002012-12-08T16:11:31.046+00:00Gracias, Merci, Thank you.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Taking a moment to say Thank you to all the good and beautiful things in our lives that bring us joy.</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving my friends, near and far<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">. </span></span>I wish you the best each day...<br />
Thank you..x</div>
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<br />Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-26302884874493704432012-11-18T23:37:00.002+00:002012-11-18T23:37:10.467+00:00Train to the past, Hampton Court Palace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A short ride southwest of London on the train dropped me off close to Hampton Court Palace,where I walked into a place steeped in history since 1484. </div>
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Marveling at all the architectural details and courtyards on the way, one couldn't help but imagine roaming the grounds during the height of its heyday. The palace itself was elevated to the beauty that it became in the "recent" year of 1514.</div>
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Passing through the palace I am finally greeted by the real reason I came here, the gardens, which spread out before me, created over 60 acres. The Great Fountain Garden provided a wonderful view lined with clipped <i>Taxus baccata</i> out towards the home park, which is comprised of just another measly 750 acres. </div>
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<i>Taxus baccata</i>, which could have been very imposing and dominating on the landscape, have been clipped into some very friendly shapes, softening the horizon lines with their gumdrop shapes. The bedding was a mix of annuals, and tubers, that helped add some burst of color amidst a vast open green sea of turf.</div>
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The Privy Garden, situated on the side of the palace, was created on a design from 1702. It's symmetrical pattern includes herbaceous plants, clipped shrubs, gravel and sculptures. </div>
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It is a space to wander through and view from above to fully appreciate the patterns in the layout of the garden design. Water, acting as reflecting pools, gives the eyes a chance to rest while we take in the all of the shapes that encompass this garden.</div>
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It seemed to me that there was a fair amount of space between the plants, and wishing to see it planted more lushly, I found out that this is how it was planted when the garden was created. It is important to remain true to details in a historic garden, as this is how it was done during those days. <br />
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She poses among shapes and backdrops, while color dances in front of her.</div>
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On one side of the Privy Garden is a Beech Tunnel, a living corridor that plays with dark and light.</div>
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Seen from a distance, with the aloe mimicking the sheared shrubs, you can appreciate the patterns played out in the Privy garden.</div>
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Just for the love of chimneys (38?!)... a view towards the Orangery.</div>
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The Pond Gardens are awash in color, due to successful intricate planting schemes </div>
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An Orangery never fails to impress, since we don't normally see these types of building created anymore. These architectural gems were commonly used to house tender collections of plants and trees in the colder parts of the year, while in the warmer months these were put outside to benefit from the heat and rays of the sun. </div>
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The long border, which ran across the the width of the grounds, was a feat in itself due to it's length, depth, and plant palette.</div>
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It was clearly able to hold its own, creating a flowering tapestry that anchored the impressive size of the palace to its vast grounds. </div>
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She was a place of beauty.</div>
Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-83105821900821429632012-11-02T23:25:00.004+00:002012-11-16T18:38:22.434+00:00Addicted and any way I can get it, pulling it together...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I don't have much of a garden, I find other ways to feed my addiction of having beautiful plants around me. Usually that consists of having houseplants or by way of making arrangements. Stuffing the window box on my London terrace was one way to guarantee blooms or foliage to cut and bring inside. It is my duty to keep fresh greens on the table at all times, regardless of the time of year. <br />
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Another option was going to the Columbia Road Flower Market in East London. By getting there late one day, I found out certain stalls drastically mark down their prices, trying to get rid of their merchandise rather than having to pack it up again. For just 5 pounds I walked away with 12 individual bouquets one day, that I later used to mix and create my own arrangements. Orange roses, white carnations and cream Gerber daisies. ( I didn't even like some of these flowers! Carnations ?! Never, but I realized they last so long as a cut flower and now I respect them in a new found way..)<br />
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While doing work in other gardens I will salvage things that are heading for the compost pile and use them at home. Lichen covered Azalea branches, some moss from my terrace, and a single Galanthus nivalis bulb in bloom, just a little bit of woodland inside. </div>
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<i>Fatsia japonica</i> is another plant that I never really cared for, looking messy and out of place in the garden, but when I saw the fruits I felt the need to do something with them. <i>Muscari armeniacum</i> (from the window box), <i>Tiarella</i> 'Crow' (from the window box) and <i>Fatsia japonica. </i></div>
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Even single arrangements grouped together of<i> Euonymus fortunei</i> 'Blondy' and <i>Helleborus</i> blooms works for me.</div>
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Another addiction is ceramics and vases, which I find anywhere, but that's another story.. When I found this one, reminiscent of a loaf of bread, in a Paris flea market, I knew this was my keepsake memory to stuff into my suitcase and take home. Thank goodness it didn't break. </div>
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For lunch with friends I filled it with a plethora of Viola blooms from the window box. They added a nice scent once brought inside and now reminded me of a 50's swimming cap.</div>
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And here was a favorite I called " The Canary and the Lion"</div>
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The yellow pom-pom like blooms and foliage of the tree <i>Acacia dealbata</i> and the foliage of Begonia rex, which I had as a houseplant. Don't underestimate those houseplants, make them work for their money! </div>
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An arrangement that I look forward to doing again is Dahlia 'Chat Noir' (picked up the tubers from the Columbia Road Flower Market and grown on my terrace in the window box), and mixed them with dark blue glaucous grapes (supermarket!), which sit on one very large leaf of Begonia rex. These arrangements give me such pleasure, acting as living sculptures that give off a certain sense of mood. </div>
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Viennese cafe? Apple strudel anyone?</div>
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Mexican mood? Dahlia 'Helga' and a tiny burro? Homage to Frida Kahlo? Maybe?! </div>
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Doing flowers used to intimidate me because I felt they never looked "right" and now I don't care, and that is when I started really enjoying it and it became fun. </div>
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Whether it's a color story, texture, mood, scent, it doesn't matter, it gives great pleasure from the start</div>
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the end.<br />
To the those affected by Sandy in the U.S., you are in my thoughts.......xoxoxo </div>
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<br />Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-29760023796649327642012-10-12T20:54:00.001+01:002012-10-21T18:53:04.514+01:00De Wiersse revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After months of constant going, a re-charge was needed, a getaway to a place that I hold near and dear to my heart. I hopped a plane to Holland and caught a train to Vorden. After all the intensity of my last job, it was time that I finally returned to a place that taught me so much about gardening and life. When I came up the drive butterflies danced in my stomach, it felt so good to be back, even if</div>
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for a few days.</div>
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The most beautiful and fragrant sweet peas waited for me in my room, a wonderful sight to see. </div>
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I slept well, </div>
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I enjoyed the view, </div>
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and I explored all the details that were missed so much. We caught up, we laughed, we ate and we smiled and we would do it all again the next day. In the evenings we watched shooting stars from the roof, counting over 15 one night. Magical? Of course, but that is DeWiersse ...</div>
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Time was well spent in the kitchen garden, harvesting, sketching, and getting to know it again, reminiscing about old times. I felt inspired again just as I did before. My color pencils danced out of my bag and onto the pages of my sketch book.</div>
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<i>Alcea rosea</i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnpsGuCnrdfPLBT5TVzr5QCWY48bXiyrmtCLR8ajBtrDcHj3atIk4d-U0v7M5inWcNMZ9Na11XKzsTM_fkZ8BkQKxj3mSMTsxt4a54wjIRZ4MejEDKyFhcqwHT_RJosJVstAq4uwsVlo/s1600/IMG_8044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnpsGuCnrdfPLBT5TVzr5QCWY48bXiyrmtCLR8ajBtrDcHj3atIk4d-U0v7M5inWcNMZ9Na11XKzsTM_fkZ8BkQKxj3mSMTsxt4a54wjIRZ4MejEDKyFhcqwHT_RJosJVstAq4uwsVlo/s320/IMG_8044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Papaver commutatum </i>'Ladybird'</div>
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And I made arrangements. A bouquet of beautiful bone-white lilies in a gold and white pitcher couldn't have been more simple or smile inducing.<br />
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Or an energetic display of affection between Tagetes and Violas, squeezed together in a bamboo inspired vase. </div>
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It was an orgy of flowers with color, scent and texture for days. It was just what I needed. <br />
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Thank you De Wiersse for continuing to inspire and push me forward, you will always remain a source of happiness for me, even after returning back to London.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-35469126796667079962012-09-28T01:14:00.001+01:002012-10-03T22:45:36.605+01:00One Horticulturalist Needed......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In February there was an ad that was seen in a horticultural website that was looking for a horticulturalist to be involved in a project for a period of a few months. The job piqued my interest and even though the description was very, very vague, I applied. To my surprise, I was called for an interview and was told to meet at a warehouse in North London. The interview was with a company called Filmscapes, who makes gardens for film, television, and advertisements.<br />
I was still not told what the project was exactly for, it was all so secretive, but I was very excited and was hired at the end of the interview. <br />
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This project it turned out, was that I was working with them on creating the opening scene for the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. It was a thought that I couldn't process. If you have no idea what this map is, don't worry, it took me a while to figure it out too, but I was in disbelief still.</div>
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Even though my position was as horticulturalist, I helped and worked on anything that needed to be done. We worked in this warehouse in Northeast London mapping out what we needed to do. It started with astroturf and plenty of it. The opening scene was called 'Green and Pleasant Land' and it involved a mix of real and faux plants. We took the astroturf and measured and cut out the shapes for the scene, which was then given treatments.<br />
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We then proceeded to make it look real by shearing it, painting it, and </div>
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even adding small plastic plants to look like weeds for height and interest.</div>
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Spending hours each day in a warehouse cutting astroturf and consuming cup after cup of tea, and chocolate, can make you a bit crazy. That is when 'Turfie' , our mascot, was born. <br />
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But while we were furiously finishing all the turf that was needed (over the course of 3 months), the stage was being built inside the stadium. Once that was complete, and our turf was finished, we moved on site, inside the Olympic Stadium.My eyes were huge with excitement at the size of it all,<br />
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The base for the mountain, or the Tor, was just getting finished a day after we moved on site.</div>
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Once done, the huge faux Oak tree was hoisted above the Tor and we set to work attaching our meadow turf which was to cover the whole of it. Capillary matting was put down first to add a layer that would hold moisture for the roots, followed by chicken wire, and then squares of meadow turf.<br />
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All those yellow high-vis are the team turfing up the Tor, which gives you an idea of the immense scale of the structure. </div>
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Once completed, the newly turfed Tor gave life to our surroundings, becoming the dominant feature in the stadium. This put many smiles on the faces of the people working there.</div>
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The real mixed hedgerows, which would be used on the stage as props were then unloaded, making my heart beat faster and my grin grow wider. My role as horticulturalist was now coming into play and that made my work even more exciting. First the Tor and now over 100 hedgerows. <br />
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There were also live turf too that was going to be used on the stage for the performance. These were all for an area we called 'Essex' which was going to have real sheep were grazing on it during the Opening Ceremony. <br />
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Each piece was on a growing mat with handles to make removal easier for the cast during the change from one scene to the next. Add that to more live pieces of material for me to care for.</div>
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There were a mix of real and faux plant material used throughout, as seen here with fellow colleagues mixing artificial poppies into the real dried wheat used to create a field. <br />
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One of the workers on the roof supplied this aerial shot of our work from above, an incredible sight to see for all the hard work we were doing. This now made the map (first image) I first came across pale in comparison to the stage being dressed like this.<br />
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Each day at work consisted of watering, watering, and making sure that everything was staying alive and healthy. Each day consisted of carting heavy hose wheels back and forth to water, truly doing laps all over the stadium. The view from the top of the Tor was incredible where one could survey all the action taking place all around. The action was happening on the Tor too though, <br />
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with the meadow coming into effect after a few weeks of care, </div>
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and being witness to seeing such vibrant flowers carpet the turf, like the yellow blooms of <i>Lotus corniculatus</i>.<br />
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At the end of another 11 hour day, I was able to see the Tor lit up at night. <br />
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The work didn't stop there though. A wildflower meadow mix was installed all around the stage, which was to grow on a slant of 45 degrees, again on a layer of capillary matting, on wood. <br />
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This wrapped all the way around the stage itself. Each day this was watered, sometimes twice a day, and over time it went from spindly looking, </div>
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to a thicker, </div>
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and more lush planting. </div>
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There were <i>Layia platyglossa</i>, Cornflowers (<i>Centaurea cyanus</i>), <i>Papaver commutatum</i>, <i>Escholzia californica</i>, and Sweet Alyssum, among others. <br />
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Every few days the wildflower verge</div>
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was changing it's colors. </div>
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A few days before August 27th, we installed the 'Athletes Area' which was real turf that ran the whole length around the stage.<br />
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Capillary matting helps once again with helping to hold water, but this area did dry out quickly and required constant attention. <br />
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Once it was all laid out, it looked beautiful. The stadium was beginning to soften due to all of the plant vegetation inside. <br />
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There was an area outside of the stadium too, that had some pieces that were to be kept in top condition. Due to the many rehearsals, some of the plant material started to break down and deteriorate from being handled many times. So outside of the stadium there was a 'nursery' for the showstoppers come the night of the Opening Ceremony. This was a wonderful mix of wildflower meadow mixes and turf. Watering was definitely a full time job. <br />
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pretties..</div>
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This whole area was on plastic sheeting, directly on pavement, and it seemed like the week before the big night, England decided to have a heat wave. Why? Why? WHY?!!! lol<br />
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In total one day, I watered, for about 14 hours. My hard work, (and prune-like fingers!), was documented luckily by some newspapers and news channels that were filming the excitement happening in the Olympic park.</div>
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We worked 18 hours the night before trying to do as much work as possible, but it was worth it when Paul McCartney is practicing in front of you. I remember singing to 'Hey Jude' while watering at around midnight, not too bad of a memory. Coming in the next day was rough but you are running on adrenaline by that point and how do you stop the Opening Ceremony?! You don't, and that kept you running too.... The covering of the molten troughs with real turf here. <br />
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And then it started, once you saw the cloud walkers, we knew there was no turning back, there was no stopping the Opening Ceremony. It has began!<br />
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The people just filled up the stadium, around 80,000 total, and the set looked so real with all the characters and props on it. <br />
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The flock of sheep coming to the stage to graze on our meadow.....</div>
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The ladies with the geese...... (and the hedgerows!!!)</div>
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It all came together!!</div>
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It
was an unforgettable experience because I also had the chance to be in
it. I didn't really know what to do, so I walked around and I sat in the
apple orchard, which was full of fake apples. I snuck a real apple on
stage with me which I pulled out of my pocket, which I then proceeded to
eat. As I sat there, I just remember taking it all in, the energy, the
people, and it was just incredible, and I sat there and thought,'I am
sitting on the stage at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, we did an
outstanding job, all plants were kept alive and I am eating an apple in
front of the Queen.......... This is pretty damn cool." lol<br />
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Looking
back I was able to quickly spot myself in the first few minutes on
screen. I decided to stand and watch the cricket game since it was the easiest place to hide. I was wearing the dark outfit standing next to the fence in the
upper right. <br />
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Green and Pleasant it was......</div>
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Until the Brunel's (standing on the Tor!!).....</div>
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came and changed things (good bye set!)</div>
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into the Industrial Revolution.....(but look at those flowers!!!!lol)</div>
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It was an emotional night that I will never forget. I was touched that England would let a recent New York transplant be so involved with their London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Thank you!!<br />
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To see so many flags of the world on the Tor, which I had such a bond with, was one of happiest moments of the evening.<br />
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I still get emotional when I think about it, since it was the most intense project I have ever had in my life. It took me so long to write about it because it was so personal, it demanded so much, and it was so passionate, it was such a build up for months and then just as quickly it was over..... just like that, almost a dream. I will never ever forget the joy this experience gave me, and the pride and confidence in myself as a person and gardener. It will always be a place in my mind that burns so bright, <br />
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and I always have my memories that I will take with me........ </div>
Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-36652141872029817412012-09-02T14:09:00.003+01:002012-09-04T00:16:25.373+01:00England, good to see you again my friend<br />
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It feels just like a relationship between two old friends, you haven't
spoke in a while but you pick right back up where you left off. I
traded the dollar for a pound, the subway for the tube, and a large
garden for a terrace, but you figure it out and make it work. <br />
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Speaking of work, the first few months moved slowly, inching along, and it took me a couple of weeks to get get into the swing of the rhythm, </div>
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but we found our groove. Hard at work now, balancing life, work, and garden visits and catch up with old friends, it is fantastic. Settling in here has been great, things are on track, the terrace has filled out, </div>
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and the future is looking strong and bright. </div>
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It feels good to be back England, you have been missed,</div>
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and so have you my friends.......</div>
Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-70011484964520120502012-08-10T01:11:00.002+01:002012-08-31T19:29:57.670+01:00The Big Apple bit me back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>After two years of living abroad, it was not clear if I wanted to return to New York City again, but it is my home, the place that I was born and love and is always running deep in my veins. A pact was made to myself that if I did move back to New York, it would be on my terms this time. And that's how it began....</div>
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By chance, I came across a beautiful gem of an apartment while wandering the BedStuy neighborhood of Brooklyn. It was a discreet building, an old rectory to be exact, situated next to an old unused church. I quickly called the number in the window and met the landlord on site within minutes. </div>
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The apartment was gorgeous, it was large and cavernous inside, with beautiful wood details throughout, glass doorknobs on every door, plenty of rooms and windows, and most importantly, there was a garden, a 700 sq. foot open canvas. That is when I knew this place was a catch.</div>
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The garden was dormant when it was seen on that cold day in January, but I knew it was a special place, an apartment that I needed to live in. It all seemed slightly neglected and just needed some hard work and polish to really help it shine, and it was calling my name, asking me to help. I wasted no more time and secured the place on the spot with the landlord. </div>
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The garden was bordered on one whole side by a church, with stained glass windows, buttresses, and views of the steeple. It immediately gave the garden a sense of space. In thinking about the possibilities, there was no denying that the church was the main feature of the garden and needed to be acknowledged, not fought against. It created the character of the place. It reminded me of a quote:</div>
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<b>"</b>One would have to be singularly insensitive to the possibilities of one's craft if one failed to reassemble and reformulate from the thousands of hints and indications that wait within the range of one's eyes." Russell Page, <i>The Education of a Gardener </i></div>
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Thank you Mr. Page. <i><br /></i></div>
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Days and nights were consumed with thoughts and ideas for the garden, and it was a good thing that it was winter because it prevented me from getting out there in the garden and making any irrational decisions due to over excitement. Immediately I set out sketching layout after layout. I needed to keep in mind that you entered the garden on the corner, so how would I make the entrance not seem forced, and that the best view of the steeple was from the back end. </div>
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When I am sketching during these periods I don't necessarily know where I am going, but when I see ideas that don't work, they get discarded. When something strikes as a possible idea, it helps set me off in that direction until it feels natural and right. </div>
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Once I had my sketch I used bamboo stakes to help me visualize what it would look like before it became more permanent, adjusting them as needed helped it get to the right point. Another bonus of putting the seating area in the back was it was furthest away from the bedroom windows, giving more privacy to people in the apartment or the garden. </div>
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The soil was very poor, and to make matters worse, there was not a water source to be found, anywhere.... (I checked and checked, and checked and checked....) The thought process was to get plants that could tolerate poor soil, drought, and would drop seed to help increase the number of plants in the garden. I wanted the garden to have a feeling of being there a lot longer than it was, and with plants spreading, they would help to achieve that. Cut flowers and foliage as well as fall color were important to me too.</div>
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Over the first winter, I found some old blue paving stones and some garden furniture. While it helped to define the space more, it also seemed to make the area look smaller. Either way, it was filling up. <br />
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Filling up is exactly what it did come spring time. Plants put in the previous year had already started blooming such as <i>Aquilegia chryantha</i> 'Yellow Queen', and the ostrich fern, <i>Matteuccia struthiopteris.</i></div>
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Here is an arrangement of an unknown pink rose, which already existed in the garden, and Aquilegia chrysantha 'Yellow Queen' in the fading summer city light....<br />
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The garden started to take on a life of its own, telling me what it did and did not like, we started to understand each other. Some of the plants were doing great, like <i>Thermopsis caroliniana</i>, <i>Baptisia</i> 'Purple Smoke', which is a nitrogen fixer to help with the soil, and <i>Diervilla sessilifolia</i> 'Butterfly'.</div>
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To have this piece in the garden, my sculptural focal point, makes me very happy. This circle in the square stone piece was in my student garden at Longwood and has many happy memories attached to it, </div>
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and in it since on top there is a pocket filled with Sempervivums (from my student garden as well), and striped marbles that were always found while digging in the garden soil. </div>
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I loved looking each morning at the pots that I would plant up and arrange outside my bedroom window</div>
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or the cut flowers I would bring inside to put next to my bed. Having cut flowers on my bedside table always ensures one last smile before I turn the lamp off each night. </div>
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Many memories have been had in this beautiful space, many friends and family, lunches and dinners, late night drinks and many, many laughs and smiles. <br />
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In the evenings, all the candles would be lit and it was wonderful, magical...<br />
A garden is to be used, to entertain in, to transport people some where else, and this is exactly the life it took on and that made me happy.... <br />
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It filled out just as much as it filled up my expectations, but not for as long as I wished. Life came and beckoned me, its always when we least expect it.. Though I had planned on staying in NYC, I met my other half, from another country, a chance meeting that none of us ever know when will happen. And I started to wonder, the mind thinks one thing and the heart another, for I did not want to move, I had a garden! but what if.... what if...... I knew the right choice but needed one last push. In speaking with a mentor whom I greatly admire, I told of my dilemma, do I marry and move to England to be together, or stay behind in my palace and garden.... The advice was: 'you can make a garden anywhere....' And that is advice that I will never forget... Thank you wise man. <br />
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So autumn came, and the changes that were happening were real, for I knew come winter I would be moving on. Fall always makes us contemplative and I spent many a day alone enjoying the details and found irony in creating a garden that I wanted to eventually be able to take care of itself...<br />
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(<i>Coleus</i> 'Sedona' and <i>Aster</i> 'Purple Dome') </div>
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It was a real treat in my life to live in a place that had such an effect on me and the people I know, and I just know more good things are right around the corner.</div>
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Life was offering me a beautiful adventure and I wondered what would happen to this place I stumbled upon in Brooklyn, my palace, my jewel-box garden. Happy, it worked out well, as I was able to pass it on to 2 very good friends of mine who would enjoy it as much as I had. We decided to keep it "in the family". There is always a room for me, there is always a bed, </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLaTrScmdIfNOC_kbex77-wVUmUArMW5BS8qyyESmR39FCXSK57EAxsrcuyRQUh2MSZZRkZAK4V0SR5TmtgOXgzNPe5T7-g47AqBS1ug3tBu4hjG_WGm9vMLIAnsK1uA59CCRjMZzuxM/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLaTrScmdIfNOC_kbex77-wVUmUArMW5BS8qyyESmR39FCXSK57EAxsrcuyRQUh2MSZZRkZAK4V0SR5TmtgOXgzNPe5T7-g47AqBS1ug3tBu4hjG_WGm9vMLIAnsK1uA59CCRjMZzuxM/s400/IMG_6439.JPG" width="400" /> </a><br />
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and the garden will always welcome me back. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_P4uUY-xEXUDaM6PnOPhFIbDBDKXKHG9TqNqmBY9SUONLkMqSgd1FNSYB0LD86vwor77LYTBs11keNpuGF40vf36VZ8rm4yD4742_YxP1_a7JDYNCX7KTgvH_awSDm2-n5xRmMjPtHQ/s1600/IMG_9056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_P4uUY-xEXUDaM6PnOPhFIbDBDKXKHG9TqNqmBY9SUONLkMqSgd1FNSYB0LD86vwor77LYTBs11keNpuGF40vf36VZ8rm4yD4742_YxP1_a7JDYNCX7KTgvH_awSDm2-n5xRmMjPtHQ/s400/IMG_9056.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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It is a place that will always be sketched in my mind... </div>
<br />Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-70021730632294345472012-08-06T22:16:00.001+01:002012-08-06T22:16:23.929+01:00Facetnation Sitting still has always been a difficult thing to do. So, doing
different projects is a guaranteed way to stay satisfied creatively.
With taking two years off from writing about horticulture, gardens, and
plant related adventures for The Gartdener, I am happy to say I am
really looking forward to it again. It was missed but a break was
necessary. One way that helped me remain creative was my photography and
drawings which I applied to a site called Facetnation. It is a project
that I look forward to diving more deeper into within the next few
months.. Of course it is horticulture related, some in large ways and
some in small, but it is always there. Facetnation....<br />
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<a href="http://facetnation.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">http://facetnation.tumblr.com/</a></div>
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x</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-46462853214145843492012-04-11T22:34:00.002+01:002012-04-11T22:40:25.605+01:00Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3.......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRoxV5O37ET7RsLOxXCQohl-RYK9lLMlhr1g12AyAmwSSvvRjWAM9P4lTmL5fKVo-e49jQpYU2sVy5nZi206sADQq8KUxMjfjPTquo-OJN_WmR1r1E7JBHvUWwIquQNZ7OENp_wXZv_8/s1600/IMG_7213.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRoxV5O37ET7RsLOxXCQohl-RYK9lLMlhr1g12AyAmwSSvvRjWAM9P4lTmL5fKVo-e49jQpYU2sVy5nZi206sADQq8KUxMjfjPTquo-OJN_WmR1r1E7JBHvUWwIquQNZ7OENp_wXZv_8/s320/IMG_7213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730261053770237458" border="0" /></a><br /> In a short time, I will start to write for this blog again.. A lot has happened in the past few years and it's about to get exciting again...... Testing, testing, is this thing still on? Happy Spring!Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-18455268682131706172009-12-09T22:53:00.013+00:002009-12-17T19:32:12.848+00:00Cheers, toda oba, & dank u voor alles...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a id="hypImageNext"><img id="userImage" style="width: 310px; height: 233px;" src="http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/120/l_b3a034288d62c236ad815242403d1143.jpg" /></a><br />England was the first leg of my journey, and I experienced so many great gardens, gardeners, and landscapes there.I learned so much from Great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dixter</span></span>. The gardeners there have such a passion for what they do, and it shows. The plant combination's are the most colorful and vibrant I have seen , and the skills and techniques that I learned there have been used over and over again since my time there and has helped make me a more confident gardener. The relationship that exists between home and garden really made itself understood during my time there.<br />Thank you Christopher Lloyd, though I have never met you, for providing such an opportunity for students, and for cultivating such passionate teachers such as Fergus and everyone else that I met while there. Cheers.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="hypImageNext"></a><a id="hypImageNext"><img id="userImage" style="width: 311px; height: 232px;" src="http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/49/l_1eac26733a4e462f814cf6a9b773657b.jpg" /> </a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Next leg of my journey was Israel, which was one of the most exhilarating travel experiences I have ever had. Thank you to the British Friends of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, for making such an incredible scholarship available to students.<br />The lessons that I learned there are invaluable, not only to horticulture, but to life as well. I enjoyed the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, the Dead Sea, the culture and food of Israel, and most of all, it's flowers and the friends I made while living there. The Mediterranean flora has been a very exciting thing for me to discover and learn about. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Toda</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">oba</span></span>!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAYf0ojGGGQ8fj24XX1INehXzgcfd3kg-pGAdW7PNLgQxJJv1l3b1TxzQXGczBIny6KSkXFMZI-iqD1t7kwEWoCkU4a3HQ2j8iPT6_fJ9-XkggonRYKpGzh77sO3xz96mgZfGK64-buI/s1600-h/jimmy+3+236.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAYf0ojGGGQ8fj24XX1INehXzgcfd3kg-pGAdW7PNLgQxJJv1l3b1TxzQXGczBIny6KSkXFMZI-iqD1t7kwEWoCkU4a3HQ2j8iPT6_fJ9-XkggonRYKpGzh77sO3xz96mgZfGK64-buI/s320/jimmy+3+236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416231063602025762" border="0" /></a>And then there was the Netherlands, in which my experience couldn't have been cast in a better light....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EW53_2SuoLgBjInyFfdQdT7fjleHHWPmzA944TVkOIX2bAeic-k0CsTbwH9Zud50rALJAWzcecZCMMyimmMjWW1wu0A7sStlm3LAne_XrzRDaXS40mN17MMgbctRRVNkvBQThtqDTh0/s1600-h/jimmy+146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EW53_2SuoLgBjInyFfdQdT7fjleHHWPmzA944TVkOIX2bAeic-k0CsTbwH9Zud50rALJAWzcecZCMMyimmMjWW1wu0A7sStlm3LAne_XrzRDaXS40mN17MMgbctRRVNkvBQThtqDTh0/s320/jimmy+146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416230583028064514" border="0" /></a>The experience I had at De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wiersse</span> was the perfect ending to my adventure. As a kitchen gardener, it is satisfying to witness people enjoying what you have grown and seeing the pleasure it brings them. Food will <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">neve</span> be looked at again the same way for me. Being at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">DeWiersse</span> allowed me the time and space to reflect on the many things I had encountered during the past year, and also to ponder the future. And the people I have met there couldn't have had a more positive impact on how I see things in life. Dank u <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">voor</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">alles</span></span>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZ-1Dn0-UJYaIhCzSD5YUlvgk99IOa77ZzslQlFikLF8Q_guj0Q6LVQixgj5czaD1P5XZqDmCkSbORtdWi1phdJKA2QGzxTYeXBJB796AHQB6K7L-JqBfLVoQPbcnjwPs_TRueZ80LIY/s1600-h/jimmy+112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZ-1Dn0-UJYaIhCzSD5YUlvgk99IOa77ZzslQlFikLF8Q_guj0Q6LVQixgj5czaD1P5XZqDmCkSbORtdWi1phdJKA2QGzxTYeXBJB796AHQB6K7L-JqBfLVoQPbcnjwPs_TRueZ80LIY/s320/jimmy+112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416229235668400882" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My time away has been an incredible experience, a period of my life that I will go back to many, many times in my mind. It is bittersweet that it has come to an end, but that doesn't mean the adventure ends now that I have returned home. Now that I must utilize all that learned knowledge and push myself with all that I had encountered that was inspiring, the adventure has just begun.<br />Thank you for joining me on this ride......<br />Live well.<br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-59344839185135824722009-11-15T01:37:00.061+00:002009-12-04T04:59:25.128+00:00The Days of De Wiersse.....<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhd547NOzArLVx9dKxswfkdCg3rmktQ8uK7a2m1PSu3SZ-EL-Hx51P3V9OmqtFKh1DJv2yaJ_k2efuOIscgZJ1oLXI0wpGbbqt_1r9NYxlJHLvuvkFIUVx4fRKTo8yp796-RtlG85WLE/s1600-h/305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhd547NOzArLVx9dKxswfkdCg3rmktQ8uK7a2m1PSu3SZ-EL-Hx51P3V9OmqtFKh1DJv2yaJ_k2efuOIscgZJ1oLXI0wpGbbqt_1r9NYxlJHLvuvkFIUVx4fRKTo8yp796-RtlG85WLE/s320/305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404150783916161890" border="0" /></a>At first arrival, I knew it would be different...
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhd547NOzArLVx9dKxswfkdCg3rmktQ8uK7a2m1PSu3SZ-EL-Hx51P3V9OmqtFKh1DJv2yaJ_k2efuOIscgZJ1oLXI0wpGbbqt_1r9NYxlJHLvuvkFIUVx4fRKTo8yp796-RtlG85WLE/s1600-h/305.JPG"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJenn%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote></blockquote><p></p></a> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wM96CgnJr5W3y6IkzzH3q5nVVX4YAzqrGDNmlQWvCxucxK6BJb1HBaOMNwItKPP90Ns1kXHvT49aAMqMeCTA4SqU53uAjKNtoUO4DTqKpr8eMUGZbC1GQjR2NHpn_LElFO98wdUJB8U/s1600-h/317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wM96CgnJr5W3y6IkzzH3q5nVVX4YAzqrGDNmlQWvCxucxK6BJb1HBaOMNwItKPP90Ns1kXHvT49aAMqMeCTA4SqU53uAjKNtoUO4DTqKpr8eMUGZbC1GQjR2NHpn_LElFO98wdUJB8U/s320/317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404150788161214546" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A garden where the beauty of the place is whispered and is still clearly heard,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgTyep1z4zkotbO8cU7ZcBscjd2nxjAz9KlKc-xMSf7s31sGJxBCpKkUZ_aeAOc5GGrBJDTtCLG47OPUv-H3guvYcTHIl_GchybdO3LZW-KWX_8k06mLhcNMZp8D0xM31IbpDNbt3f8g/s1600-h/jimmy+244.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgTyep1z4zkotbO8cU7ZcBscjd2nxjAz9KlKc-xMSf7s31sGJxBCpKkUZ_aeAOc5GGrBJDTtCLG47OPUv-H3guvYcTHIl_GchybdO3LZW-KWX_8k06mLhcNMZp8D0xM31IbpDNbt3f8g/s320/jimmy+244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404157132459764690" border="0" /></a>and you see it, reflected in all of it's details.
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dlTmAPKp0SmoJsZMZl6A3jMQxwgzpqsrMwmEskLH8ZQbsm9U2NQsycBKU_qtz8DdyiF-F4G1LPER4yjJwb6nnLPfS7kYzk4D0P9FWL7MPaZPdJXLEdD89Iripd-rO8kpe_097DKB-50/s1600-h/jimmy+295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dlTmAPKp0SmoJsZMZl6A3jMQxwgzpqsrMwmEskLH8ZQbsm9U2NQsycBKU_qtz8DdyiF-F4G1LPER4yjJwb6nnLPfS7kYzk4D0P9FWL7MPaZPdJXLEdD89Iripd-rO8kpe_097DKB-50/s320/jimmy+295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404157148050288322" border="0" /></a>With its orchestra of bulbs,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJx_VHMG_ay88GW1G4-p8KYJq0hku4LGp3yeP9WvJHs8erwm7h8jOpSx9gVZ8gxQUHb3bxCXU5ZVawbIJ8Pbq8TyqJ7DrPq9ofAdq-Jri5xj885gF4SF6dBeyH3j6SU3Lb5OSORBEaFo/s1600-h/jimmy+350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJx_VHMG_ay88GW1G4-p8KYJq0hku4LGp3yeP9WvJHs8erwm7h8jOpSx9gVZ8gxQUHb3bxCXU5ZVawbIJ8Pbq8TyqJ7DrPq9ofAdq-Jri5xj885gF4SF6dBeyH3j6SU3Lb5OSORBEaFo/s320/jimmy+350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404345305578387954" border="0" /></a>it's emergence of lush green foliage,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCdcwFu1tqt_br_uIW-GppjLWOdMMNNPF-5RD8Q3R7ulOp4gFON8etQJnNPccgjGx4RA7i5pjED4TgaaxzPoMb5kctVWXPok88UzcNeF9ipe5t8a09RKvIhygETa_u9NmXcIA_V5yzJY/s1600-h/jimmy+290+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCdcwFu1tqt_br_uIW-GppjLWOdMMNNPF-5RD8Q3R7ulOp4gFON8etQJnNPccgjGx4RA7i5pjED4TgaaxzPoMb5kctVWXPok88UzcNeF9ipe5t8a09RKvIhygETa_u9NmXcIA_V5yzJY/s320/jimmy+290+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404157145054843826" border="0" /></a>or a field of yellow blooms, together they all helped herald the arrival of spring.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ4xCDf2kh8T13D4E4AfGAzO9mnYGNSO0mhLF5qVROcVQLGREH8PuGsIBU36rwDOA9PZehiae8M7gjswb3J6QKASnljs_vzTO0x4nfJnPAFw4jbmUhcIiTY-uTMn_MQib071ic0Eb9sc/s1600/jimmy+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ4xCDf2kh8T13D4E4AfGAzO9mnYGNSO0mhLF5qVROcVQLGREH8PuGsIBU36rwDOA9PZehiae8M7gjswb3J6QKASnljs_vzTO0x4nfJnPAFw4jbmUhcIiTY-uTMn_MQib071ic0Eb9sc/s320/jimmy+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525759969083666" border="0" /></a>De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wiersse</span> lead me down it's path,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtumYxfLwIyBmWMA-kU0AbwzHuAIurZC1TJZZ2EL1821RzB4MAy_D9b7WvbUzWq3GEKuZoRh05KdyqKr-Z9E1MlBH2BWVtJV7mjGgBEoHVNCntCumQA_nus52_qkW6MU8X8zPbzeYUj8/s1600-h/jimmy+008+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtumYxfLwIyBmWMA-kU0AbwzHuAIurZC1TJZZ2EL1821RzB4MAy_D9b7WvbUzWq3GEKuZoRh05KdyqKr-Z9E1MlBH2BWVtJV7mjGgBEoHVNCntCumQA_nus52_qkW6MU8X8zPbzeYUj8/s320/jimmy+008+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404152269060744450" border="0" /></a>shrouded my mornings with enchantment,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0X6RwFdk8XJZZ4DzwKJEBt5x0luPTRU7E9xBVQAzuo6cjER-8T2QM8RbJy1Hexj5F2dTQCjdZBXc6qAVfcQTBHvge2L76LdC5C3l2Td6aVaI_XAfXm0DfdNUNk4KI5xthQUl22SkVFvA/s1600/jimmy+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0X6RwFdk8XJZZ4DzwKJEBt5x0luPTRU7E9xBVQAzuo6cjER-8T2QM8RbJy1Hexj5F2dTQCjdZBXc6qAVfcQTBHvge2L76LdC5C3l2Td6aVaI_XAfXm0DfdNUNk4KI5xthQUl22SkVFvA/s320/jimmy+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405518697463442706" border="0" /></a>and bathed me in its warm light,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe7FONK_QvT6hNUXdHLarsR5Qkx3Q0a5YNUyn2T7eJkM-bJl9nxaMBOgVX19qRhIiFGns1Lcn6OFq00IMRwwjYxuZ9BzXL_kHDdX_gISope4rBghUTf9bRcBX5KqcZ5qY5As6DUR-yt8/s1600-h/jimmy+160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe7FONK_QvT6hNUXdHLarsR5Qkx3Q0a5YNUyn2T7eJkM-bJl9nxaMBOgVX19qRhIiFGns1Lcn6OFq00IMRwwjYxuZ9BzXL_kHDdX_gISope4rBghUTf9bRcBX5KqcZ5qY5As6DUR-yt8/s320/jimmy+160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404149209808441426" border="0" /></a> letting me end each day with a plethora of satisfaction.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK_Ns_u-tY98drFn7YP31eGZeMlpyVU6qRrdYfe10MEuJ4k7Y-VlxhmrZD63mm0YPOFGQMkN42dHJMcRiz6X6EgXIQ21y1udKhB8UgxpV92CmkRD1xjIWnBVS1iU7fsv0qUJfSQ9McVI/s1600-h/jimmy+039+%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK_Ns_u-tY98drFn7YP31eGZeMlpyVU6qRrdYfe10MEuJ4k7Y-VlxhmrZD63mm0YPOFGQMkN42dHJMcRiz6X6EgXIQ21y1udKhB8UgxpV92CmkRD1xjIWnBVS1iU7fsv0qUJfSQ9McVI/s320/jimmy+039+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404153667910111858" border="0" /></a> I enjoyed the long path laden with Magnolia blooms,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwG_nGq6rbpGPYIbEBLtuSlSHne5Ek9w06IucGjQXPEGOFHApK8ozs_HcdTXzhkKCxBuyDRRNFWsLEVZfE0NLuZiYNkfvhfgs6GhaYed5XrapBmzQag4N2PtggbeaTjU_tpn1ko90RBE/s1600/jimmy+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwG_nGq6rbpGPYIbEBLtuSlSHne5Ek9w06IucGjQXPEGOFHApK8ozs_HcdTXzhkKCxBuyDRRNFWsLEVZfE0NLuZiYNkfvhfgs6GhaYed5XrapBmzQag4N2PtggbeaTjU_tpn1ko90RBE/s320/jimmy+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405518709774628914" border="0" /></a>or greeting it's geometric forms,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie342coyDQ2KQP0jMY31XFoyxVmgAhsRxX4xAyX9fdAHPECbHpv-9LOxXFIozfViN0rYTe8UQSVVXUcnH7Txczd89igGQ87p-Ld7fjzbL0ENi2Px9k1AXV0YE-5X-V6GcCaVwf7yS1j3s/s1600-h/310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie342coyDQ2KQP0jMY31XFoyxVmgAhsRxX4xAyX9fdAHPECbHpv-9LOxXFIozfViN0rYTe8UQSVVXUcnH7Txczd89igGQ87p-Ld7fjzbL0ENi2Px9k1AXV0YE-5X-V6GcCaVwf7yS1j3s/s320/310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404169127996640754" border="0" /></a>and hearing the buzzing of life in the meadow during summer.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYDppD7iDKwpYV1eveysKIlTsLDWxpa8WFEjFFm0IKQ6vtmD5-_bKoEel8cs6PuL7oWhsRgOuJ_i2wm-UC2mnHrYY_DoNjqKlcXOclJdPob0GEhdVf36mb-af5pdmtzzHWN7ADWk1wIs/s1600-h/jimmy+192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYDppD7iDKwpYV1eveysKIlTsLDWxpa8WFEjFFm0IKQ6vtmD5-_bKoEel8cs6PuL7oWhsRgOuJ_i2wm-UC2mnHrYY_DoNjqKlcXOclJdPob0GEhdVf36mb-af5pdmtzzHWN7ADWk1wIs/s320/jimmy+192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404149219072345618" border="0" /></a>Each moment carefully orchestrated and stored in my mind.
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK_Ns_u-tY98drFn7YP31eGZeMlpyVU6qRrdYfe10MEuJ4k7Y-VlxhmrZD63mm0YPOFGQMkN42dHJMcRiz6X6EgXIQ21y1udKhB8UgxpV92CmkRD1xjIWnBVS1iU7fsv0qUJfSQ9McVI/s1600-h/jimmy+039+%283%29.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB4iR75HY4CpkEIyaevXMH8PQ7HOR5e8UPsT7Kp5KhVsTz-fFZYdCnD3k3bD8GOLZvRCyySf2MHX0zmqKBwO7JabFLyUWxrccXS4MwfjH5UOS1qckn80HiuD48qxEbK2SWlJ8bTK_4DA/s1600-h/jimmy+136+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB4iR75HY4CpkEIyaevXMH8PQ7HOR5e8UPsT7Kp5KhVsTz-fFZYdCnD3k3bD8GOLZvRCyySf2MHX0zmqKBwO7JabFLyUWxrccXS4MwfjH5UOS1qckn80HiuD48qxEbK2SWlJ8bTK_4DA/s320/jimmy+136+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155551901051266" border="0" /></a>Boat rides in the outer moat , walks with Petal (yes, and you too <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Flopsy</span>..),
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FcwwTczz9VZk8u0sgQ1HfiRWGlpupIFc_DakI17gix8MXpU7oAKIAZUInD9fe2e1PHZHJJpVAF_LUlxNnlxf-y1NG2H0SFD7SK7PhnVvAcb09LG-KtRnxN07ykpiqHEqSU1KQblzcTE/s1600-h/jimmy+133+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FcwwTczz9VZk8u0sgQ1HfiRWGlpupIFc_DakI17gix8MXpU7oAKIAZUInD9fe2e1PHZHJJpVAF_LUlxNnlxf-y1NG2H0SFD7SK7PhnVvAcb09LG-KtRnxN07ykpiqHEqSU1KQblzcTE/s320/jimmy+133+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155542914888194" border="0" /></a>and the nodding of the the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Fritillaries</span> in the wind, waiting for just the right moment to collect and distribute their seeds,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz10OZRfgYEWCPoIXqsF7HCJPi1Vg-yGxg5TfyqJzlpzIxQTBj2KKJJPicKvNs6qoywj5UGP5uk_u-dhHofLyh0UjKsG-mKy1u90J0JR14_i9HTfHbHK3VnCQnb6OnRtpJy68QFc8Xui0/s1600-h/jimmy+3+181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz10OZRfgYEWCPoIXqsF7HCJPi1Vg-yGxg5TfyqJzlpzIxQTBj2KKJJPicKvNs6qoywj5UGP5uk_u-dhHofLyh0UjKsG-mKy1u90J0JR14_i9HTfHbHK3VnCQnb6OnRtpJy68QFc8Xui0/s320/jimmy+3+181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404343389548443378" border="0" /></a>my mind and body floated languidly through each day,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYlwMdUGazDo7KimxxHxhad8fFxCNfNfYJaWuij6nUJF7JBV-0jtGcZlk819XxT1EE2u9eSjrv7Z71Z_QSeYfTnJ4U0soqFJEYnRx0aPUNyHY5XvT0O1_DTVk4Ymtkq0r1H62d_ogx1k/s1600-h/jimmy+692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYlwMdUGazDo7KimxxHxhad8fFxCNfNfYJaWuij6nUJF7JBV-0jtGcZlk819XxT1EE2u9eSjrv7Z71Z_QSeYfTnJ4U0soqFJEYnRx0aPUNyHY5XvT0O1_DTVk4Ymtkq0r1H62d_ogx1k/s320/jimmy+692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404160831356556754" border="0" /></a>lost in a haze
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHwz8nVNcD-Pw9HPS_BK2Nm2VYJG4W2Z8rsYkLhT3lFRoiAh1u8lWdh0MKlBO9hS0WSZtEnE2L0NUYn-cW_tx2sHrkgcGzOnoKsFtJ4U07QEItHpil783oACJ6Kzhpe2hxn1zU2xOS3Y/s1600-h/jimmy+029+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHwz8nVNcD-Pw9HPS_BK2Nm2VYJG4W2Z8rsYkLhT3lFRoiAh1u8lWdh0MKlBO9hS0WSZtEnE2L0NUYn-cW_tx2sHrkgcGzOnoKsFtJ4U07QEItHpil783oACJ6Kzhpe2hxn1zU2xOS3Y/s320/jimmy+029+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404153657997291010" border="0" /></a>of fleeting moments.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9WZg6nm3fXhs799-20dUDTb6y1wlOT-oZ36WxsT5SUR5F1gvAxdEaH1cQYgjnjC_G3nEFarFqW3j3iy5ekg62iSzq2qFj6ohRB4T6p4jIXJqz6oYbN8OeqQHW6qTohzZMINHybIxwx4/s1600-h/jimmy+257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9WZg6nm3fXhs799-20dUDTb6y1wlOT-oZ36WxsT5SUR5F1gvAxdEaH1cQYgjnjC_G3nEFarFqW3j3iy5ekg62iSzq2qFj6ohRB4T6p4jIXJqz6oYbN8OeqQHW6qTohzZMINHybIxwx4/s320/jimmy+257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404345287721136130" border="0" /></a>Each day taking me further into my adventure.
<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSz6ZlWaCRRr49SwPjomYl-eM0GuBISqUZnJA0dbtMba61YGqgINVb0bk-xfjF9lWRTrjnmWvOiQifKz6zSef2Qm5pHIGiGk0nzpsf9Fzq8yKmmhocc9TCEFIVGAMGr_373vkKSQdlDc/s1600-h/jimmy+3+080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSz6ZlWaCRRr49SwPjomYl-eM0GuBISqUZnJA0dbtMba61YGqgINVb0bk-xfjF9lWRTrjnmWvOiQifKz6zSef2Qm5pHIGiGk0nzpsf9Fzq8yKmmhocc9TCEFIVGAMGr_373vkKSQdlDc/s320/jimmy+3+080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404152253636759858" border="0" /></a>To view the Rhododendrons from the boat seemed as if they floated above the water.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYrP1DeF0CjVw-1EhG-BRSnax-B76PQSL3LlIvjjD9pXvfatvgSW0e5dU46Fbawh6sn6jX_7OhPuuBd_4OJQxTo6G4E9pLUiXXb24aExvKTJi8ul44NYSFbh9dS1kqTDDzqkyM6FCun4/s1600/jimmy+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYrP1DeF0CjVw-1EhG-BRSnax-B76PQSL3LlIvjjD9pXvfatvgSW0e5dU46Fbawh6sn6jX_7OhPuuBd_4OJQxTo6G4E9pLUiXXb24aExvKTJi8ul44NYSFbh9dS1kqTDDzqkyM6FCun4/s320/jimmy+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525745355431618" border="0" /></a>Each vista was special in its own way,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNaLD71OgnOiThcs9Ii8KcDNFRwt1gblDYc1wXLXwP5FTiNJBzRFVnwkSHFKwBp1YsATzfJ1p4YeQy709hNeVnmO-DGuf0_WMwehqqlqA6LdrqdT3QEF0p8lxs7mUSryN4-r-loCPTi4/s1600-h/jimmy+203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNaLD71OgnOiThcs9Ii8KcDNFRwt1gblDYc1wXLXwP5FTiNJBzRFVnwkSHFKwBp1YsATzfJ1p4YeQy709hNeVnmO-DGuf0_WMwehqqlqA6LdrqdT3QEF0p8lxs7mUSryN4-r-loCPTi4/s320/jimmy+203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404149230874802114" border="0" /></a>sometimes linking the interior of the garden with the surrounding landscape, never seeming forced.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOazcTbFAPu1qerHMR63_dgiQRe7Ylqm_PQ-3J9UOd88G0e-KOGCFqlnsfRtxKabzJxX_dqFyvJZJ7vWTk6WcPmSKEvm4PWdsQzIZ095rt58Iz9V9SPFZ9UsVrxbykzVMgJpt0hQJvvI/s1600-h/319.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOazcTbFAPu1qerHMR63_dgiQRe7Ylqm_PQ-3J9UOd88G0e-KOGCFqlnsfRtxKabzJxX_dqFyvJZJ7vWTk6WcPmSKEvm4PWdsQzIZ095rt58Iz9V9SPFZ9UsVrxbykzVMgJpt0hQJvvI/s320/319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404171333144917874" border="0" /></a>The Wild Garden was a barrage of color with help from Foxgloves,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSZA6bo7NXL2zgu-_8zc93HKLiD1UIVecCwNvqNtSXpTq5rUOJlV3ik6EbRbqPh17hcVrpLiV4yzAYGZh09WE-avt5wxjB3eJv2asXU3hFEcKV1LEs3wbiAO9z1lf_q0xyXqkkFXcE1M/s1600-h/jimmy+026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSZA6bo7NXL2zgu-_8zc93HKLiD1UIVecCwNvqNtSXpTq5rUOJlV3ik6EbRbqPh17hcVrpLiV4yzAYGZh09WE-avt5wxjB3eJv2asXU3hFEcKV1LEs3wbiAO9z1lf_q0xyXqkkFXcE1M/s320/jimmy+026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404146102389902274" border="0" /></a>Azaleas and Bluebells, causing much excitement to my eyes.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimybJYjx9e5AE1pVaPqQiFXVnkuWx5qUsQwab7FAC-h1z5BEeQ2HQr1Ffhg8YGrrw5ytBl6YmCoCbMAnt6taMihfwNTk1ZT4oZSj4BQyFMT_fbNeYWtKD2Jp9_VT7CkLkWtOTHEQHfcM0/s1600-h/jimmy+014+%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimybJYjx9e5AE1pVaPqQiFXVnkuWx5qUsQwab7FAC-h1z5BEeQ2HQr1Ffhg8YGrrw5ytBl6YmCoCbMAnt6taMihfwNTk1ZT4oZSj4BQyFMT_fbNeYWtKD2Jp9_VT7CkLkWtOTHEQHfcM0/s320/jimmy+014+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404349058821271986" border="0" /></a>And then there was the kitchen garden,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrLzDYUH1VJA6uoznMwSSlwk7Xln8bSxvkxdcCawqMDJDko5Wu8C8sRlw7Pp1Y1igLzVJnswcpMYaRGhxdCecJPPsV5kovOqJamZ-jTDbpG9tczvhqXoOJziaK9vpy4MjDj5kWU3qAHE/s1600-h/jimmy+129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrLzDYUH1VJA6uoznMwSSlwk7Xln8bSxvkxdcCawqMDJDko5Wu8C8sRlw7Pp1Y1igLzVJnswcpMYaRGhxdCecJPPsV5kovOqJamZ-jTDbpG9tczvhqXoOJziaK9vpy4MjDj5kWU3qAHE/s320/jimmy+129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155536256305938" border="0" /></a>another slice of my paradise,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYV6me-hwXUdqExlBFnvgOY757hQD83dUzwXm1cNRp4nJNGwjnGm5yNktn_-G64viQ3XbzNE0mGTCghPoJcwtr-zJ_OzTT1frdLwrOJjcIZlT7GVZ8GTqDICGdrMwW7ONfO4qWgJlhxY/s1600-h/jimmy+092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYV6me-hwXUdqExlBFnvgOY757hQD83dUzwXm1cNRp4nJNGwjnGm5yNktn_-G64viQ3XbzNE0mGTCghPoJcwtr-zJ_OzTT1frdLwrOJjcIZlT7GVZ8GTqDICGdrMwW7ONfO4qWgJlhxY/s320/jimmy+092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404166697091029026" border="0" /></a>sometimes dream-like,
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdUmZHJ66fXx3kO74BNr8HMLXGnSeJ1GQqx7RE6xLilk0Wj67mlzaNWExD_KLQIPjUjI_6Euz-sQ624V6GMGPcGRKY3IT__Xul3lKL8WZoKuNbY-f6W9iSMNQoej9Bc-hPDSXATWJHY8/s1600-h/jimmy+017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdUmZHJ66fXx3kO74BNr8HMLXGnSeJ1GQqx7RE6xLilk0Wj67mlzaNWExD_KLQIPjUjI_6Euz-sQ624V6GMGPcGRKY3IT__Xul3lKL8WZoKuNbY-f6W9iSMNQoej9Bc-hPDSXATWJHY8/s320/jimmy+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404164548326385202" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGTWllrUnsZ81zsXNsROWC5WPl52QIqr3hnS-ZWUMSuP6pgnLUSAzqXmTn-TdfIMk9qo2JxJPAimG9mGhzFmQOIGVuiDO32wS1E9PQo9UDR1970sVkeYKqDE13Td3bIOwADZCk8xu-Bg/s1600-h/jimmy+084.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">sometimes a flurry of organized chaos,</span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGTWllrUnsZ81zsXNsROWC5WPl52QIqr3hnS-ZWUMSuP6pgnLUSAzqXmTn-TdfIMk9qo2JxJPAimG9mGhzFmQOIGVuiDO32wS1E9PQo9UDR1970sVkeYKqDE13Td3bIOwADZCk8xu-Bg/s320/jimmy+084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404164566522951266" border="0" /></a>it was a place to learn combinations,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLCCpIAjjNLWnnDKbRqn9jgQY1QGor_VIJvfGTc_6QAh0XXAhO-t-zd2MpBNBVN0jki-IhFKNjZqr_MRq3jD-HrShkCj-oj1T7TUxPASNkc2kxUVvLeuvWpl8g6MjDuYW2kqhFuLSBYc/s1600-h/jimmy+023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLCCpIAjjNLWnnDKbRqn9jgQY1QGor_VIJvfGTc_6QAh0XXAhO-t-zd2MpBNBVN0jki-IhFKNjZqr_MRq3jD-HrShkCj-oj1T7TUxPASNkc2kxUVvLeuvWpl8g6MjDuYW2kqhFuLSBYc/s320/jimmy+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404164553941579474" border="0" /></a>to experiment,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmAF6qRjW6VMMCzbyy4_odN0OjzJir1U0rB8eLxE4msp8IzBrKceX5f8Y8F80nn7OJBOtKMebpr6-f6FiFsxpSp3DEXLo9rZ6b-ZirwxlloJii_qrn25uUQq4luZ4_OfFazzlA9kuM9U/s1600-h/327.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmAF6qRjW6VMMCzbyy4_odN0OjzJir1U0rB8eLxE4msp8IzBrKceX5f8Y8F80nn7OJBOtKMebpr6-f6FiFsxpSp3DEXLo9rZ6b-ZirwxlloJii_qrn25uUQq4luZ4_OfFazzlA9kuM9U/s320/327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404349041228977042" border="0" /></a>and to watch life unfurl.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ACOgTkaaIeoTSp3m5LCIWCX7x6fQDWSBRf5ko_VzaxycHclQSvfw9b9PlM04iMUIS1Zj2U_pXBb-H5LLc7U8CL8iaUTzP7S3nom086WJuVnBgOR_2iE6zoO_zo4Ouu6RDS_nbxJ8He4/s1600-h/292.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ACOgTkaaIeoTSp3m5LCIWCX7x6fQDWSBRf5ko_VzaxycHclQSvfw9b9PlM04iMUIS1Zj2U_pXBb-H5LLc7U8CL8iaUTzP7S3nom086WJuVnBgOR_2iE6zoO_zo4Ouu6RDS_nbxJ8He4/s320/292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404349035601186690" border="0" /></a>Oh, Sweet Williams,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eai62vejISPp203y0pRn1x4XV23FdmaRwxSobqxigItq_-OFNVcpbV30XSwyakT0g-QARrLBK_2gMa0-Zn0RLGNJSF-qHkEeLbL409An8pXRzaFXyNs8scBG36mzvsrhby_dH_5qyew/s1600-h/jimmy+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eai62vejISPp203y0pRn1x4XV23FdmaRwxSobqxigItq_-OFNVcpbV30XSwyakT0g-QARrLBK_2gMa0-Zn0RLGNJSF-qHkEeLbL409An8pXRzaFXyNs8scBG36mzvsrhby_dH_5qyew/s320/jimmy+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404349047177598146" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">heavy harvests,</span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGZje4s3AqxAs0dq12kDrzeofSKtgdc0JeRx0VTttOWCuiWpJjGHUC5ZyqjBx3naeyDE0UESzsyo0N_Q8da42xWyhkIb4VF6IiY4jwKDaUVcjr4wHdjSVqT5RNOCMGOhMvUyu2V9XK2o/s1600-h/jimmy+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGZje4s3AqxAs0dq12kDrzeofSKtgdc0JeRx0VTttOWCuiWpJjGHUC5ZyqjBx3naeyDE0UESzsyo0N_Q8da42xWyhkIb4VF6IiY4jwKDaUVcjr4wHdjSVqT5RNOCMGOhMvUyu2V9XK2o/s320/jimmy+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404367196131806242" border="0" /></a>and the fruits of my labor,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ31IuwQrhrxGNEMD6HfP8uZyNzu3_-DzhNBEo80geT3J7P5XDEmkBObRY5VeCuLY-YU7JNnJuAAILKaHwccDldOtaaLBqrJZH0JCOQ-ZCnVJ54wRDlt_2oAPuncbbwdgpbEv6_NiDPPc/s1600-h/jimmy+036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ31IuwQrhrxGNEMD6HfP8uZyNzu3_-DzhNBEo80geT3J7P5XDEmkBObRY5VeCuLY-YU7JNnJuAAILKaHwccDldOtaaLBqrJZH0JCOQ-ZCnVJ54wRDlt_2oAPuncbbwdgpbEv6_NiDPPc/s320/jimmy+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404367187077330706" border="0" /></a> time was lost in the richness of it all.
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGxiIpQc1lpyzJw-QGhKYJs5v11xQsB7CQEAAcLV-c_FFFPe9zumOP8MFBU3vjIKMfU3LPJuQMTpEnBcKoud8MDYOPgZjmtKk5R03WUY4-QjRlHBL1wc3CEPh-6LCvpefuKkyrLfkAB4/s1600-h/jimmy+3+203.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdahcUOyMTQnRRzgWq5RHoVpf1B7e68MfCcHjM1Wkzllsc79gXFVmS3WQ5prr34IJcZ49YiKCpxEPPmq4ApOnULGJSDhXOKEkFYPyi42eMxM8xbPw2f-64sdJ8vPRroOBG-c4raq4IXjQ/s1600-h/jimmy+746.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdahcUOyMTQnRRzgWq5RHoVpf1B7e68MfCcHjM1Wkzllsc79gXFVmS3WQ5prr34IJcZ49YiKCpxEPPmq4ApOnULGJSDhXOKEkFYPyi42eMxM8xbPw2f-64sdJ8vPRroOBG-c4raq4IXjQ/s320/jimmy+746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404162778220475058" border="0" /></a>The kitchen garden enveloped me with its lessons,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLNXdSrfbu51g7ZUQaf8y24TimnJmo8vMKqB73yuSXoT9v-p07uLiViKYRTL2053wKZPYVqvVab1V7Q63tjvFGm7ppqZGR1YTeuy5FgJQ0zsU39Eeip-ZxQtb5d5x2IRiPPSff3a2FHc/s1600-h/jimmy+735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLNXdSrfbu51g7ZUQaf8y24TimnJmo8vMKqB73yuSXoT9v-p07uLiViKYRTL2053wKZPYVqvVab1V7Q63tjvFGm7ppqZGR1YTeuy5FgJQ0zsU39Eeip-ZxQtb5d5x2IRiPPSff3a2FHc/s320/jimmy+735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404160848090184530" border="0" /></a> and I was tangled in it's fine silky web
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMybLUlXjmzxZ83mDKRlBwu3rXuyE8lD3gnSmj5dbebUHjU6dgFJ97jTj0JeRizfg1mZBx9OdeSYSwQX2t5qswJkNxVpeFyjj3wQa3IkvWyIE-5DpSGG23rQtG7MJxc0TgBhP5UQEqHM/s1600-h/jimmy+026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMybLUlXjmzxZ83mDKRlBwu3rXuyE8lD3gnSmj5dbebUHjU6dgFJ97jTj0JeRizfg1mZBx9OdeSYSwQX2t5qswJkNxVpeFyjj3wQa3IkvWyIE-5DpSGG23rQtG7MJxc0TgBhP5UQEqHM/s320/jimmy+026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404164564388654690" border="0" /></a>and thus, it brought me much, much happiness and delight.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl_7X8UTdNkWTMk-ShY_z8ynPo_UmKM2Czxg1GYXa_jt2bjOp_YcO_3XMlHaGi0ToQRTriKoZdeM-QBWed_qAJ6FncV4hgow1Q6_xOoFpINvPAk_HdnJWOaZzzcJKLad3VE28anlQcYQ/s1600/jimmy+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl_7X8UTdNkWTMk-ShY_z8ynPo_UmKM2Czxg1GYXa_jt2bjOp_YcO_3XMlHaGi0ToQRTriKoZdeM-QBWed_qAJ6FncV4hgow1Q6_xOoFpINvPAk_HdnJWOaZzzcJKLad3VE28anlQcYQ/s320/jimmy+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525742392628642" border="0" /></a>Each day lined up new experiences,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGxiIpQc1lpyzJw-QGhKYJs5v11xQsB7CQEAAcLV-c_FFFPe9zumOP8MFBU3vjIKMfU3LPJuQMTpEnBcKoud8MDYOPgZjmtKk5R03WUY4-QjRlHBL1wc3CEPh-6LCvpefuKkyrLfkAB4/s1600-h/jimmy+3+203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGxiIpQc1lpyzJw-QGhKYJs5v11xQsB7CQEAAcLV-c_FFFPe9zumOP8MFBU3vjIKMfU3LPJuQMTpEnBcKoud8MDYOPgZjmtKk5R03WUY4-QjRlHBL1wc3CEPh-6LCvpefuKkyrLfkAB4/s320/jimmy+3+203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404343396788201858" border="0" /></a>new places to admire,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNVdctDYPek3ppSWAUmEfD9e9tLUlyTSYtdMaXTg2wH1OOLgvbpfrYksjUS7AbPSpvTOGYFH7kZLkCIjO7GcHIqwtRhR7Vnw0bD1uc64TI57miy6YSfJhW2tM56DbmX5lm4n23xRijyQ/s1600/jimmy+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNVdctDYPek3ppSWAUmEfD9e9tLUlyTSYtdMaXTg2wH1OOLgvbpfrYksjUS7AbPSpvTOGYFH7kZLkCIjO7GcHIqwtRhR7Vnw0bD1uc64TI57miy6YSfJhW2tM56DbmX5lm4n23xRijyQ/s320/jimmy+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405518715968281218" border="0" /></a>and secrets and surprises.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MbTYK79ED4aJylzLLM8wypYNp2ammO94DDC-AM_ue019aU7_V5YqDOYSF2C7RY2AwKXOuE3-04IlV7FDX3DtPmwfV97kwBl6QkJpFQOZVczluztuTj__F-mOJk1LVbJu1YduapPZTGY/s1600-h/242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MbTYK79ED4aJylzLLM8wypYNp2ammO94DDC-AM_ue019aU7_V5YqDOYSF2C7RY2AwKXOuE3-04IlV7FDX3DtPmwfV97kwBl6QkJpFQOZVczluztuTj__F-mOJk1LVbJu1YduapPZTGY/s320/242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404169122152376050" border="0" /></a>Two seasons have been found, and hopefully more will be unearthed,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicngSDaVvukSqLmwi1OIOS4OJBj_yMBue86bA1qp5Gxn-uJBhLS87xWjK72ybbrjFvw79ZVZG-ZPc3yWE6Z8HL4eeSTHw7flC7E92LNX1K2bonUlNnk2JBEbr60IrKx15rtdgzfhefpRM/s1600-h/jimmy+063+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicngSDaVvukSqLmwi1OIOS4OJBj_yMBue86bA1qp5Gxn-uJBhLS87xWjK72ybbrjFvw79ZVZG-ZPc3yWE6Z8HL4eeSTHw7flC7E92LNX1K2bonUlNnk2JBEbr60IrKx15rtdgzfhefpRM/s320/jimmy+063+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155526314136770" border="0" /></a>and revealed in time.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzWaq53wtSbqK50obSqaUIwvGEsvvRp9Vvc627shhpteRo9oZSGvSvqlpk26QFijRL800JtiaZMfK3kHGgSLEL38Lajjt22LfMK5C1aZfeUqCES5ig4FP1wb87E6zpNPJNgeOCkplX5g/s1600-h/jimmy+485.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzWaq53wtSbqK50obSqaUIwvGEsvvRp9Vvc627shhpteRo9oZSGvSvqlpk26QFijRL800JtiaZMfK3kHGgSLEL38Lajjt22LfMK5C1aZfeUqCES5ig4FP1wb87E6zpNPJNgeOCkplX5g/s320/jimmy+485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404346662263116834" border="0" /></a>The Sunken Garden, that lifts a smile to my face,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLQoIECOghf49VnfWKA7R4Izux6wxC99-LG2k-xHAMSPrPTKRPI5N91eW1cn0MWIgJQ65tL7p6osn3aCXvdJKkXZwvbqdHPkkpb0llpzxJHFERV7t28-YfsoejtR3_AaZdYs6v3RtYQw/s1600-h/jimmy+766.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLQoIECOghf49VnfWKA7R4Izux6wxC99-LG2k-xHAMSPrPTKRPI5N91eW1cn0MWIgJQ65tL7p6osn3aCXvdJKkXZwvbqdHPkkpb0llpzxJHFERV7t28-YfsoejtR3_AaZdYs6v3RtYQw/s320/jimmy+766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404167410148676626" border="0" /></a>and provided many moments of solace
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7grIb7OwU7gSmI___xdlWMkHl6wNSeFOlOI62GsX9oSm0vV0ZhZ0enhkjvLosLU-RHYy5JTgmMdBJzKTQSqMicAefYOGg8PtDhJ4bXBIQKwOURPXN5WM4AjImOlOfIbhbluFlQsThw7I/s1600-h/jimmy+350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7grIb7OwU7gSmI___xdlWMkHl6wNSeFOlOI62GsX9oSm0vV0ZhZ0enhkjvLosLU-RHYy5JTgmMdBJzKTQSqMicAefYOGg8PtDhJ4bXBIQKwOURPXN5WM4AjImOlOfIbhbluFlQsThw7I/s320/jimmy+350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404166704077361922" border="0" /></a>you made me giddy with delight.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKYkSjz3WC_UIVH8Aqi_y8vof59_Z1D2wQC6wZKxO6WkZLc9zlFHqeb71IzWyXekuPHch1hfvDrdT5VIwabpjYEQoo8wbP6CSLOKoxkBoFBdTUlTwVCXkqAxN4Xlv6MnxHgodeVQszTU/s1600-h/jimmy+765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKYkSjz3WC_UIVH8Aqi_y8vof59_Z1D2wQC6wZKxO6WkZLc9zlFHqeb71IzWyXekuPHch1hfvDrdT5VIwabpjYEQoo8wbP6CSLOKoxkBoFBdTUlTwVCXkqAxN4Xlv6MnxHgodeVQszTU/s320/jimmy+765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404167402536566466" border="0" /></a>It was a sight to watch your mood change,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Jd7LQ88aITaMK7rvAYyp7Mdc03bRvzntxW2nwH-fGCAwrT9FCSwgbj2tm9aTOIlSMtlTRSFMiVAW4E1tmiWFu5IYw0zE4R5h4lDzeF_OX_ZpOUWkyg9kUhM3q67pdOHsjEi888nj_Ps/s1600-h/jimmy+339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Jd7LQ88aITaMK7rvAYyp7Mdc03bRvzntxW2nwH-fGCAwrT9FCSwgbj2tm9aTOIlSMtlTRSFMiVAW4E1tmiWFu5IYw0zE4R5h4lDzeF_OX_ZpOUWkyg9kUhM3q67pdOHsjEi888nj_Ps/s320/jimmy+339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404166703381864530" border="0" /></a>from loud and vibrant,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK211g5GsK_NlKqsb7IlDi1vTuWWj0PaRILm3ZPtafjJ_VK8-JpgB-4Jw1kc4D7YfBixqgCCj2Ch-cwDv5Ym_DIJcJzlezQ6qlFBKPGQHhRgR9SB3m-ubgG56hDxBdEs4ZH8rTemH2os/s1600-h/jimmy+764.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK211g5GsK_NlKqsb7IlDi1vTuWWj0PaRILm3ZPtafjJ_VK8-JpgB-4Jw1kc4D7YfBixqgCCj2Ch-cwDv5Ym_DIJcJzlezQ6qlFBKPGQHhRgR9SB3m-ubgG56hDxBdEs4ZH8rTemH2os/s320/jimmy+764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404162787571845506" border="0" /></a>to mysterious, I enjoyed it all the same,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGGljNM_ir67EIP4lRXuyYZC0nuBYTNX8JUSeR0cE3tuREAzd-KEk_7JdVgGpHIArJRhyNTAFixkKfvuN0ANTHXbOGr0MymkDjLDfa8ivcvU2oIpKFXhs002GQiCdgGEBUEwWMa0ViIw/s1600-h/jimmy+004+%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGGljNM_ir67EIP4lRXuyYZC0nuBYTNX8JUSeR0cE3tuREAzd-KEk_7JdVgGpHIArJRhyNTAFixkKfvuN0ANTHXbOGr0MymkDjLDfa8ivcvU2oIpKFXhs002GQiCdgGEBUEwWMa0ViIw/s320/jimmy+004+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404152266609745778" border="0" /></a>never fully knowing where it would take me.
<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGKbVMMNi9FsctHRvX-6TfVjx_j9FUDqVHdB6slMJXFKdQzHXJyyiS4B9ApqeYwTN6y5PQJWwTsb_f6P1-YKBR-lzTOoZG_iFkUnIwapF1jnvjKgv3f8bHb4yvBaPj4cAZBnTXxLRHX0/s1600-h/jimmy+304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGKbVMMNi9FsctHRvX-6TfVjx_j9FUDqVHdB6slMJXFKdQzHXJyyiS4B9ApqeYwTN6y5PQJWwTsb_f6P1-YKBR-lzTOoZG_iFkUnIwapF1jnvjKgv3f8bHb4yvBaPj4cAZBnTXxLRHX0/s320/jimmy+304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404157158329667954" border="0" /></a>You shared your home with me,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphBSb2DgllInS8DNOoxJ-8OrWq66C-3HwVobCo95KQ4K7jO_HlVwgVFpiaKcwTGOyCi6_TXQ5dqQBRoLIAwviup8k2Tv64vXc2z5-SJTOa6-I0tpWxxBU6aHN3_CpuIIYkst6bMQgxOs/s1600-h/jimmy+328.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphBSb2DgllInS8DNOoxJ-8OrWq66C-3HwVobCo95KQ4K7jO_HlVwgVFpiaKcwTGOyCi6_TXQ5dqQBRoLIAwviup8k2Tv64vXc2z5-SJTOa6-I0tpWxxBU6aHN3_CpuIIYkst6bMQgxOs/s320/jimmy+328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404157576763287314" border="0" /></a>and your food,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdz4BI-0PHB7hOMnuDgQpfX1jufsMJ3KVuRTWjzBavvMoxV7lQqjGVydYE6o3fUmYcPeDmuzkBnZu1Gf-13LJMU_fOkfKTZ86cYECSs_AArl1ENgsT67CBQxb6rmq2jifhAKhviX9Fi4/s1600-h/jimmy+3+038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdz4BI-0PHB7hOMnuDgQpfX1jufsMJ3KVuRTWjzBavvMoxV7lQqjGVydYE6o3fUmYcPeDmuzkBnZu1Gf-13LJMU_fOkfKTZ86cYECSs_AArl1ENgsT67CBQxb6rmq2jifhAKhviX9Fi4/s320/jimmy+3+038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404150806466553074" border="0" /></a>and your many, many flowers,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHfKGcv8s1ewTJ_V1duAgwWn_VyCcqN3SZTGPeyy7drS2I_flgsOq6hBV2ip_pMcye_ANe3B9ZQiwcMlJh5ZfwBf1PjYA-4u95hm3syGI-QbNjxDHGu-Xd9Rs9f5qNoXV_Y8LQ6Hb00A/s1600/jimmy+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHfKGcv8s1ewTJ_V1duAgwWn_VyCcqN3SZTGPeyy7drS2I_flgsOq6hBV2ip_pMcye_ANe3B9ZQiwcMlJh5ZfwBf1PjYA-4u95hm3syGI-QbNjxDHGu-Xd9Rs9f5qNoXV_Y8LQ6Hb00A/s320/jimmy+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405526526623673602" border="0" /></a>which inspired me tremendously,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvNgyDEFzLu1R983m0N6_42VszI9IQqthWaSB-CmJtWobIA9UxroF0jg3OMIzNaqgMQw7tIQAxFuU-5SXbvzpMJBdDNIUa6Q-xI9GAVfOl0CZz6lVu4LuaoB2ddCOtz7w2Y5eNnWQMPY/s1600-h/jimmy+126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvNgyDEFzLu1R983m0N6_42VszI9IQqthWaSB-CmJtWobIA9UxroF0jg3OMIzNaqgMQw7tIQAxFuU-5SXbvzpMJBdDNIUa6Q-xI9GAVfOl0CZz6lVu4LuaoB2ddCOtz7w2Y5eNnWQMPY/s320/jimmy+126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404147675664435090" border="0" /></a>over,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVOZ_qFY1oEtdY5jiMXYvELJ-JfkGNn68wdIEeDS71_Yq9vXFxckXiLercyC7wNhghNa-yaH-PlPGqSVJVri71JPJZIouIcfseYMKjQZZEAIHOYPZMM7E5kt64Dp5f4UJ76JJJwrFP3c/s1600/jimmy+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVOZ_qFY1oEtdY5jiMXYvELJ-JfkGNn68wdIEeDS71_Yq9vXFxckXiLercyC7wNhghNa-yaH-PlPGqSVJVri71JPJZIouIcfseYMKjQZZEAIHOYPZMM7E5kt64Dp5f4UJ76JJJwrFP3c/s320/jimmy+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525747539168514" border="0" /></a>and over,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Gb4QlwqAhygs6Ulmb30KdJcShMGDRgue3qfZJrD9O0kvWlxMUGmNdXdnYBpxJQdZFzKMj10QUu7TmR0STSsX4dDCvDJQZhZM4drdJ7d97PnDN0yk5_XuCDZXbHuUT2XMFtp6Bn34vg/s1600-h/jimmy+065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Gb4QlwqAhygs6Ulmb30KdJcShMGDRgue3qfZJrD9O0kvWlxMUGmNdXdnYBpxJQdZFzKMj10QUu7TmR0STSsX4dDCvDJQZhZM4drdJ7d97PnDN0yk5_XuCDZXbHuUT2XMFtp6Bn34vg/s320/jimmy+065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404171794168152642" border="0" /></a>and over again.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wj8vKGfBNmjGK2wxrjAPBK_jHqTjHQRaaYecztj942DBkjkICItJXT-mYzDVxvi1C5D7VkEGWWXl2F6bRDBRexQJea270BouZzs8mwK2-0f_w8Xup4wJkokUDk705ORf0fLWV79RLRA/s1600/jimmy+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wj8vKGfBNmjGK2wxrjAPBK_jHqTjHQRaaYecztj942DBkjkICItJXT-mYzDVxvi1C5D7VkEGWWXl2F6bRDBRexQJea270BouZzs8mwK2-0f_w8Xup4wJkokUDk705ORf0fLWV79RLRA/s320/jimmy+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405519563232568098" border="0" /></a>It woke my spirits,
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIsvqetvEyzl4v-EC4EzPI5mLLiiLgiKE3UOr5btcEpcigmZgXKtIQ1GGtKX7iTL9GwVZ3LI44BTnKIIKxsp0yAGLEsNP9lHJW5VTs-YqCnfAEH_d2cEJyF6Iz6ahVuaqsBhzhg-W9yY/s1600/jimmy+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIsvqetvEyzl4v-EC4EzPI5mLLiiLgiKE3UOr5btcEpcigmZgXKtIQ1GGtKX7iTL9GwVZ3LI44BTnKIIKxsp0yAGLEsNP9lHJW5VTs-YqCnfAEH_d2cEJyF6Iz6ahVuaqsBhzhg-W9yY/s320/jimmy+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405526523020224226" border="0" /></a>and pushed me further than I imagined it would.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdTXxSiZxv6cvxXfio6qNypGKZzOtc2guFBArt07mWCs3uMQsJMjD2vxjEzoxLDOCAUoBQ3P0d6nsqesLGjVm_qJ65iLtPPbrdVFe6QcmHMlZv3ZPY_UU4GUs2yUHnVS_RMDU6X9l87g/s1600-h/379.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdTXxSiZxv6cvxXfio6qNypGKZzOtc2guFBArt07mWCs3uMQsJMjD2vxjEzoxLDOCAUoBQ3P0d6nsqesLGjVm_qJ65iLtPPbrdVFe6QcmHMlZv3ZPY_UU4GUs2yUHnVS_RMDU6X9l87g/s320/379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404171337384775714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeOp_5FnfIocVz1nIpqFZpuAnfNrfz6QQECahZR3RBvW-dhHILvkmhqdYdgLfKwOUOfF51D_TYBZ4eLdALATBLIUYEOIEfEvJgLKulufnDOw9FhyeYVv7JOQpaPdz19rIjL9lfr8rLMg/s1600-h/jimmy+118.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My eyes, </span></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeOp_5FnfIocVz1nIpqFZpuAnfNrfz6QQECahZR3RBvW-dhHILvkmhqdYdgLfKwOUOfF51D_TYBZ4eLdALATBLIUYEOIEfEvJgLKulufnDOw9FhyeYVv7JOQpaPdz19rIjL9lfr8rLMg/s320/jimmy+118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404147665646791042" border="0" /></a>my enlightened heart,
<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAP7HU72D7mDBKqcErAOGDP3P3qLAH648yxRiV5x9jqMOJIijKacEZRdDvZrgoOqZj4-z8lZS_DvCU2RiMdM4attAyb6gcbADcNksJ-ds0ty7fm5zbUrkab2Y8P_8r3z2N4N-sY1DuZNk/s1600-h/332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAP7HU72D7mDBKqcErAOGDP3P3qLAH648yxRiV5x9jqMOJIijKacEZRdDvZrgoOqZj4-z8lZS_DvCU2RiMdM4attAyb6gcbADcNksJ-ds0ty7fm5zbUrkab2Y8P_8r3z2N4N-sY1DuZNk/s320/332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404150793606974962" border="0" /></a>charming flowers and smiles,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1NrlcHIMbeJT_wEA-EA5JptXPCr0EIhFiR7ZkYLkyjn8aAUTvX62U3QeOK-5dWNh_buRGe9DNqQdldmOhF_kt7xO98_xdDfYSylknIOgj8qqFbrp2eVQHV-b1nzLghAtcwL29GVRHLE/s1600-h/471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1NrlcHIMbeJT_wEA-EA5JptXPCr0EIhFiR7ZkYLkyjn8aAUTvX62U3QeOK-5dWNh_buRGe9DNqQdldmOhF_kt7xO98_xdDfYSylknIOgj8qqFbrp2eVQHV-b1nzLghAtcwL29GVRHLE/s320/471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404171341617562034" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I walk down my memory. </span></span></a>
<br />Thank you so much DeWiersse.xoxo
<br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-66752915588571452102009-10-07T15:28:00.011+01:002009-10-07T22:02:16.544+01:00De Hoge Veluwe National Park<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389871198379309906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WgOhAj9-Gl2BCaHcoSXkl_1uX4LAmPOxkemVHJmw-eAMo07G2wTANqgpaq__uereq3n4Qp2PMz5kvkwjgOwIatq_dwUlW9R7XwOKOhsgL5vLRfdOauULgsbQm6fqLtKFiZ06YNWKiaw/s320/jimmy+271.JPG" border="0" />De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hoge</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Veluwe</span> National Park is one of the oldest and largest continuous nature reserves in all of the Netherlands. The park was founded in 1935, is about 13,590 acres in size, and consists of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">heathland</span>, sand dunes, woodlands, and lakes.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389872827435896530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjmZmWV1B3RG7yt4m07KJaLQlzBfGqzZ0CRfxV6g9veRUBwv_4Z_bTSthdHZI9smJ6OxEsWGA11ZTzuAZ6-ZrZE_cUdGhPNrF1wKactpxRKXhWVoRzFQkwIqfMZKXAfg30kcXM0tWf6k/s320/jimmy+261.JPG" border="0" />The park is roughly 50% woodland and 50% <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">open land</span>. The landscape is very dramatic, even more so with the dramatic light that the Netherlands are known for. Many artists were quick to capture the beauty of this light and immortalize it in their paintings, and for good reason, it is incredible. </div><br /><div>Being a huge fan of color myself, it was a real treat to see all of the different tones and even the textures that the park had to show me. Over the course of my time here, I have visited this landscape three times, and find inspiration in it each time. </div><br /><div>The self-seeding Scots Pine,<em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pinus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sylvestris</span>, </em>is apparent everywhere here. It was noted that the pines grow outwards, instead of upwards here, due to excessive exposure to the strong winds that occur here.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389872840534745538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_42EM0qqDqAmeTZLTTEp68nf980PhfOUMtytNHfeBK1pUaN6v78D8oBJ8-zNjW8aBtI8Rf9bUHyWHnhkkX5E2-OEfskIDdBtTajxIuYTMRFuiACJ5nm0cJB_hBX9YbOJi0lR76xdIeA/s320/jimmy+253.JPG" border="0" />While whizzing through one area on my bike, which the park provides for free(!), I saw a blur of yellow right next to the path and stopped to check it out. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_s9iarAykPJpBMW0pH_oXnx3ANii9Kv-4eZ86SR2-j6zZt8k8TzdKxhns4dCIeQYhZ7t7ChKDp3WJEn8vw8aqT0hST3S7jB5TdUMQOkR3egzJTQ3imU0X92Ov4MxS4ldLdWhZJbHABU/s1600-h/jimmy+255.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389872833031198002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_s9iarAykPJpBMW0pH_oXnx3ANii9Kv-4eZ86SR2-j6zZt8k8TzdKxhns4dCIeQYhZ7t7ChKDp3WJEn8vw8aqT0hST3S7jB5TdUMQOkR3egzJTQ3imU0X92Ov4MxS4ldLdWhZJbHABU/s320/jimmy+255.JPG" border="0" /></a>This was blooming in my visit in July and I cannot i.d. this . <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Tofieldia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sp</span>.</em>?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389871188723367650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8F5KgXLqSPMvlEbhe0cdqP5SqkIN69NjlYi3BRcg8n9kU4rRBNR0cOQHiMzlY2JVtO53Qo6ThbxZvfQ7e63P1dEE_MZCt2TNZAcH2KIuDxD7BK5a5_R0WYmWmteujC1OojB4_GayCpg/s320/jimmy+264.JPG" border="0" />Once again, my bike pulled me back to my surroundings, as the sun was pulled behind some clouds. There is a certain feeling one gets when in large open spaces that I love.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389871208759088642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmXF7mn5fOGASiC_eKR8COmeYPYkCNMe2E7Pz5gyleZfSRe_-MvElpHj2OQKrgTs2M6mhjWtIH0Sw39WKtydUtPxP4Ls3pvq-9qqAPd4AaZg569fPlQvp1ZW6hseKe4GfOWe81laIroo/s320/jimmy+286.JPG" border="0" /> Finally, my friend and I came across the beginning of the sand dunes. It seemed like a dark landscape to us, but its beauty was breathtaking none the less.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389871214290888514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChWQaGACm0Aui3PHocWd8UZsXJBju7AqQ3ON63Macn9WglBQoqz0UdyFpKsLW00rZQFxXnGhx7E8oWbp-V2a841kNclmTxE9FpyRAg1-1laAWtH8zESrtLEhsiXbwbE6Z255_rVVqWn4/s320/jimmy+288.JPG" border="0" /> In an effort to expand the moving sand dunes, it looked as if some large trees were felled in the adjacent grassland.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlpcXb-2zkjBsMmcadX8Fpv_HpNMMNGEBFZSeqr-tCXJ5UxbzuLSd9Op_NQToK-c2PDd1_YbClPy0G18MwKa2GaIP_CrWeNCWoauAGkP41A_sNc3xlAkMuPGmzvtAGIiyHjlEeJmQubw/s1600-h/jimmy+294.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389871221137409426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlpcXb-2zkjBsMmcadX8Fpv_HpNMMNGEBFZSeqr-tCXJ5UxbzuLSd9Op_NQToK-c2PDd1_YbClPy0G18MwKa2GaIP_CrWeNCWoauAGkP41A_sNc3xlAkMuPGmzvtAGIiyHjlEeJmQubw/s320/jimmy+294.JPG" border="0" /></a> Scots pine growing in the sand dune area.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BPbWhJSt4ydF6Ve8R0qX-b7ub5a74ZWvoEz_ctEHD2lneQUHyJdRkeMv4XSvHySbTXLACgG2xof2J-xUv1GTGXZtTBGIbhy7QkPdMaPAYYPAR88xOPcaUIFyce5L8RyFU8bbLeHqMQQ/s1600-h/jimmy+097.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389869474226510562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BPbWhJSt4ydF6Ve8R0qX-b7ub5a74ZWvoEz_ctEHD2lneQUHyJdRkeMv4XSvHySbTXLACgG2xof2J-xUv1GTGXZtTBGIbhy7QkPdMaPAYYPAR88xOPcaUIFyce5L8RyFU8bbLeHqMQQ/s320/jimmy+097.jpg" border="0" /></a> My most recent visit, middle of September, had the landscape seem more alive since the heathland had come into bloom. I was very eager to come back to see this since I missed the opportunity in England. <br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UVSmKCEi7v5oz2Hd-KWmc_3nPx3h-hS6NeSgwDKUHGu3jzG6bXhZ_ATYAC3Xt82DdB5_9x3s7KuJ7iGjli0LYWBavCa9OapD6Y9TIsOsI7Rzc7zK-ivTT-2_eLi5rZPAqfO3pbr4jcs/s1600-h/jimmy+106.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389868759478201954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UVSmKCEi7v5oz2Hd-KWmc_3nPx3h-hS6NeSgwDKUHGu3jzG6bXhZ_ATYAC3Xt82DdB5_9x3s7KuJ7iGjli0LYWBavCa9OapD6Y9TIsOsI7Rzc7zK-ivTT-2_eLi5rZPAqfO3pbr4jcs/s320/jimmy+106.jpg" border="0" /></a> Though the color of it was more subtle than imagined, but it still made its presence known in the landscape. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389868769668019874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsVlvkC2_-FlMIaJ0NEtSKb4Iu-9jBdjNCz_XtuREldgnDqYzTFxuR1WvPcVOtLMUvq8eCqqcM69Dlpf1pCMNph8ISdp3z7GrSGuyyFxrQVnNe4u0hm3F2JQJ3bmPhcrNe2-JwSifrXM/s320/jimmy+103.jpg" border="0" /> <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Calluna</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">vulgaris</span>,</em> grew in huge drifts of plant communities.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4T8qOnEx00Ta1lTwQxfRud1MfzG_Yv43-hEbAqjvih2CB9L6876NFuv1vzF-iV4SjFIIXVtLUFRfPg4y7XVYLglR47gHXS059vcTVjoCyOiUYC9Nm1Q8ZLliqFZCI22htYllb20nxko/s1600-h/jimmy+108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389868751702160818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4T8qOnEx00Ta1lTwQxfRud1MfzG_Yv43-hEbAqjvih2CB9L6876NFuv1vzF-iV4SjFIIXVtLUFRfPg4y7XVYLglR47gHXS059vcTVjoCyOiUYC9Nm1Q8ZLliqFZCI22htYllb20nxko/s320/jimmy+108.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Heather was not alive everywhere though, with large patches of dead areas. Still, the richness of nature kept me happy with its colorful tapestry.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0ejGE1nntAHO7774eWtxt2U5TMaLmEboIrswt_tbEmqTvf3QfXkYGI-6fSY8KRQygTnv3HETgRI_5qP_yjAExJYTJSjmB_LX9iy2lcvqzFPh9CKi0OBTMT8o2P9iv9xuBfEjDm2soQ8/s1600-h/jimmy+123.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389868734613301106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0ejGE1nntAHO7774eWtxt2U5TMaLmEboIrswt_tbEmqTvf3QfXkYGI-6fSY8KRQygTnv3HETgRI_5qP_yjAExJYTJSjmB_LX9iy2lcvqzFPh9CKi0OBTMT8o2P9iv9xuBfEjDm2soQ8/s320/jimmy+123.jpg" border="0" /></a> This area, near a peat bog, revealed some small jewels if you looked hard enough.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389868742946095282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMBaDCN-IdmJCtC-U4HG95Zmdpd2ODkxclbGtozsEVxHxK7-9LGMZFG8EyEYnY_x5Jji-Y7brxwgh-cS-nzGMjV1TeRZJA4qHMf1fwitQn0uUS3SFy6X2lf7Sw_EwqsE49DKMQZ57oKQ/s320/jimmy+116.jpg" border="0" />Such as this insect eating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Sundew</span>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Drosera</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">rotundifolia</span>.</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkWqCH1k7Di3sWXsAikfnkfO0XhfwtZWCshPg3kaeprQ89b4t1RfPtpsAyvhtXHT6EZma-C3V9kxiE9fRCbOYbwfKxdmOxbQX38wxvOrcx0fdZm-q-yT6BGVvwD1Ddm7xPF5xLqPU13o/s1600-h/jimmy+132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389866443971786066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkWqCH1k7Di3sWXsAikfnkfO0XhfwtZWCshPg3kaeprQ89b4t1RfPtpsAyvhtXHT6EZma-C3V9kxiE9fRCbOYbwfKxdmOxbQX38wxvOrcx0fdZm-q-yT6BGVvwD1Ddm7xPF5xLqPU13o/s320/jimmy+132.jpg" border="0" /></a> A tightly growing wood of Scots Pine.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389866425395582994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwLX5yHtEQym-7_nG5BvZE9YRgwy0PVSMi4jc07IQ9vQ9y0Id_UQaF081ta8uvLQsjy3IeL9XYmNDqowFAGcZFQI8wuazLUGGSf7tspMxbUYsJFTgpghe1KuHs5PFShkEaer_aAcm5b8/s320/jimmy+216.jpg" border="0" /> Small clumps of<em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Festuca</span> </em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><em>ovina </em>and</span><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOi-tK559MK-oeZt1gwpf84UEOC0-CcLWtlf8d33I7dkPJn8yP76p7q-UXvp3PyAAD4IGxFhP42t3T-8BitoZttNukiT28chGQGc4JohSiiKTNaSLjaRvmDR51bBUvr7cv4VXDnCegtQ/s1600-h/jimmy+214.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389866435181445970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOi-tK559MK-oeZt1gwpf84UEOC0-CcLWtlf8d33I7dkPJn8yP76p7q-UXvp3PyAAD4IGxFhP42t3T-8BitoZttNukiT28chGQGc4JohSiiKTNaSLjaRvmDR51bBUvr7cv4VXDnCegtQ/s320/jimmy+214.jpg" border="0" /></a>the low growing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sheepsbit</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Scabious</span>, <br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389874872368761170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6utOmSRj3O2ZkAv_PGeJDhVvGWn6OSg9m6hri31hLV-raLZbih-GCaArFjPpjjXC_94KUHRl22l_KHMblX7Huhtw2W7golZy7Fjb8t4pHs5K_x4rWEZwVKHE1u06LwfGw6J5zhgCpdo/s320/jimmy+212.jpg" border="0" /> <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Jasione</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">montana</span></em> which grows on dry grassy places and heaths.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389866418889654770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98OeAIyQ3ZSAktAQGLT0Yo6L0rzkLvA26fteP-JZ8Zb2AkyEGXTbqTCMvk1TkaZeilL-kP_WJ27jqsvNLg5p6Xg_OltICaeYBDRjKmknZ_38iqeA1XuayHB0rblVBAxODokwps2polL0/s320/jimmy+222.jpg" border="0" /> While looking for plants most of the time, it was a great surprise to look up and see a herd of red deer on the outskirts of some of the woodlands.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389866409687544626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmn-_kZwobFCVFlmPiVawx9840M7snsZLPF1h0lEWsgbtctwe-QUNlupNq-EjH_Bbn4DTdbCGWtcg-zetYDXSzMnarokGjhNsjUHiHsTPdi3FtEQdLROC8vdez4bDoL_OlV-M8wlE4tg/s320/jimmy+221.jpg" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><p align="center">My friends and I would always laugh at these signs we sometimes see. Though no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">wild roosters</span> were seen, this place has exceptional beauty that I haven't seen much of anywhere else in the Netherlands. I have been there three times already and would love to continue to go back and explore at other times of the year... Oh, and the sign translates to "cattle grid skidding" which helps protect the animals by keeping them in this Dutch national park. No wild roosters, sorry.....</p>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-69956462756768303202009-09-23T08:49:00.013+01:002009-10-01T21:19:48.543+01:00Kasteel Weldam<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHCQw4jrhM3F3gtPJYN4vdPH67vpuaBImS27YDq-3kg7L_c4cEpvx-LvEEP_V8cVplkaZ7cpu1cJRcwnB5DTZfRfUy0xabk2IvDf1gCrPRY1miNxNllpGEcqq4vLLKRXi6lKiCQcIwJ8/s1600-h/026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384589833738352946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHCQw4jrhM3F3gtPJYN4vdPH67vpuaBImS27YDq-3kg7L_c4cEpvx-LvEEP_V8cVplkaZ7cpu1cJRcwnB5DTZfRfUy0xabk2IvDf1gCrPRY1miNxNllpGEcqq4vLLKRXi6lKiCQcIwJ8/s320/026.JPG" border="0" /></a> Walking down the shady country lane, one has no idea of the history and beauty that is about to reveal itself. Welcome to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kasteel</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Weldam</span>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384585812298042594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj4VBNraJM1I3gBRBBkp7zGmaB7fUGsDIlRStZXATHJHjJ66jXOG3IDCmoFLi1mmZCOcK3tF6Dw3__Q2_Lmk5muCh-UmPCvRxCfLOBGJyxf8VEOfB_m4Fd0FURPKG5YuXjtwPQoAfU80/s320/085.JPG" border="0" /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kasteel</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Weldam</span> is situated in the east of the Netherlands, and was built in 1645 and was then later expanded in 1897, though the property was first mentioned in the 12th Century. The castle itself is surrounded by a moat and is the heart of the estate, which all sits on 11 acres of grounds. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384588292144135794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjig4xjFLaiTF6_dLkBFRwTzLhznR4L4moHy-uFZvOaTTLT0bWO_rorx82WU_t9pUnLsjnSrR091wxCOtTX-WPM5o5ENzxlfOceCooE6qe7bYtYd4MuoimKpgp7s76JN6Cn4X3Qf4UmX3A/s320/045.JPG" border="0" /> The garden itself was designed by Edouard Andre (1840-1911), a French architect and a trained horticulturalist. Andre also worked on public parks throughout Europe, and in 1860, he helped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Alphand</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Haussmann</span> re-design Paris with its famed boulevards and parks. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The garden is an Old-Dutch garden with a French character. While Andre designed the garden, he left the construction of it to his pupil Hugo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Poortman</span>.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLaBP3foJGKgSCuCHlygh2T2HH2r596QJ8V4UQCS8jEkBv2IAtT9cYdCDT9MgG0zU7jVvooKFn0WqDecaivGuOqv8AaWXbIy-jZZkT61480Zq_8GwRULsMmbjgtYdZXW712-NjBc9gI0/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384589824387571778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLaBP3foJGKgSCuCHlygh2T2HH2r596QJ8V4UQCS8jEkBv2IAtT9cYdCDT9MgG0zU7jVvooKFn0WqDecaivGuOqv8AaWXbIy-jZZkT61480Zq_8GwRULsMmbjgtYdZXW712-NjBc9gI0/s320/030.JPG" border="0" /></a> Seen throughout the garden were box and yew, which were grown and clipped into hedges and forms. These were commonly used in gardens created during the 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> Century. Eventually plants that were in fashion during the 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> Century made there way into the garden, which would include rhododendrons, roses, shrubs and annuals.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVhax97EJXSZRDG4O2ybHGSNJpsqErnwE5OcQJ5QY4wR8cc46CRU0sqFTF9V257ZkYQ-oJZCFSHY5EglcQb_LgA2dTNNxnSXwhCi1SM-WHHFBZ5ugUXhHyPyMhJG7YSs7bqz-bK5lra0/s1600-h/081.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384588329059070898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVhax97EJXSZRDG4O2ybHGSNJpsqErnwE5OcQJ5QY4wR8cc46CRU0sqFTF9V257ZkYQ-oJZCFSHY5EglcQb_LgA2dTNNxnSXwhCi1SM-WHHFBZ5ugUXhHyPyMhJG7YSs7bqz-bK5lra0/s320/081.JPG" border="0" /></a> These clipped forms took on a playful role as they seemed to waddle back and forth across the garden, though I am sure this was not intentional.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384590797739029826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PzkegEr8t3Ux86vRuYfMGFKtUkj14EwEmC46ROXDQ77oiVZz953462LU2R6zXMdt9mX4SKD8FStGGtF8r4MxAg_RZqtmrOG_yTvpZA7NsQlUaAGkjVM96Shp5bCjAjID-VW2HLNUZ-w/s320/073.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1mZ1VcFKadQv7EAiTo_rFXPKFHlsZAn2csMSOllgf8Dm0zyetZuwEONyqw4ewsu60qh6zXXcGCUCmT25ZKSU4fCo3ToWWormhCGG6uAkwyZ3otacsuKxftyyQR_NLWOFonO4tiHRyP4/s1600-h/059.JPG"></a> A fleeting moment quickly captured as Herons are always so fast to fly away.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384584127334801698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Y4Fy8RUzd3ofQ6_TJbW-t9Xb1C0IjrkTudGNGAZPZ6JjS9Z3aeBAHSVB2Mi0a5_P9a04IPFLHrHGtPALl7gnVRek5DrBFidzH5cpKm4GP6MKBNCqs89CklqTVCRCs3rBunFfdXM7q0/s320/119.JPG" border="0" /> One of the highlights of the garden is the hedge maze. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Thuja</span> was used to create this labyrinth that makes anyone feel like a child again. My friend Becky and I raced to the finish, which was a central watch tower that gave a beautiful view over the garden. This hedge maze was replanted in 1999, using the original design, due to people "cheating" by squeezing through the walls to get to the finish.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjGfeje50nf7-bvK9M9ozMDVgL_W590NKz7dNVDnA35cCTDD4hbK77dxb5g6aEWeJNPIhskj_AQssyonsIAElio_FJ9amviaMyuxMPV7rKhTdH7O8nBOTYv6be-UR4I30X9Kgz2VPSJk/s1600-h/111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384585827756229234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjGfeje50nf7-bvK9M9ozMDVgL_W590NKz7dNVDnA35cCTDD4hbK77dxb5g6aEWeJNPIhskj_AQssyonsIAElio_FJ9amviaMyuxMPV7rKhTdH7O8nBOTYv6be-UR4I30X9Kgz2VPSJk/s320/111.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is Becky showing the scale of the hedge, which was around 7' high.<br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384584152553282370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjuAliUU-3_LG65utJ7nAopxPe49LbzY1qEeerFxOVOdhSDHVFFcFKwkNT_Ozk5fMKsHpuxw8x7pAKEwa8nuFXR6SGTaqEA9q1bBbhZ1uVMWUq6U0t1o4OE60Uwm2WHDTT8Gu-Kaik4w/s320/141.JPG" border="0" /> After the maze it was easy to lose track of time and marvel at how symmetrical the parterre hedges were laid <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">out</span> in the adjoining garden room. The maintenance of the box embroidery hedge is time consuming but immaculately executed. The real gem of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Weldam</span> was about to shine though... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384577854795976946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCm7-iB3yscvnGIlvuzp0WcWU5lnG0Z1sXjF6ug-z7qV35rHrw0MX79GEsJcSwbpg8JapHvE9bggTNuB6M_oNlmObyLgPMqJqbMNVPxfriVT-WeB7fBTRJkadXZjjbRC50ysdFKk1uYrE/s320/143.JPG" border="0" /> To the right of the garden was a tall hedge, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384584164678205362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF77S3Ei5DP89N3bWVhm1j7Gms6Z6gd_ge7zp6Gu7yzVaredUmI8JaRnXlLBtjz7b_n0vmvfJInXbnBdyJfAV4WO0qrs0byl3ESyWDp8_oxwEzwyAUgqobsRoz5yBuBlq5eReEkNyarAk/s320/142.JPG" border="0" />that beckoned us into its dark clipped entryway,<br /><p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevfz8657AMisbbik2sHzQOJTGktbAZLHWjeLgpT2nIgLspakBAwjgolAl5d87c9XARa9TsYZVgeQwsuMhRHAFQ3u_xf_XdP8sN1k7oTkvI9MB7j2yCtzCUCQ_XA9NNrPOafta5AALttI/s1600-h/144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384577860907832706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevfz8657AMisbbik2sHzQOJTGktbAZLHWjeLgpT2nIgLspakBAwjgolAl5d87c9XARa9TsYZVgeQwsuMhRHAFQ3u_xf_XdP8sN1k7oTkvI9MB7j2yCtzCUCQ_XA9NNrPOafta5AALttI/s320/144.JPG" border="0" /></a>only to reveal the most breathtaking beech tunnel I have ever seen. The </div><div>cathedral-like ceiling was only enhanced by its length of 475'! The <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Fagus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">sylvatica</span></em> was trained over an iron frame that was originally built in 1887.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384577875750534658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVOpMqpxOlC2cFfAWu_ZLP-8iZae0S4k1OomeA2QOeZBzoch4FhZuItx0fchPNpoJz9Rzm8Ilt0Z0iYrijUa4TNMGrGqJj-XrkmlhIfN6NuDoZR2iZjeRReACpAdQUVUDTWXLTR3UtC4/s320/156.JPG" border="0" /> This masterpiece created an atmosphere of hushed tones where you could not help but stare in awe and amazement. The tunnel was left with open gaps on purpose to have the play in light and dark, which emphasizes the incredible length of the tunnel. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4FVuguSc2jGRU3rfL2VaIUj3OkdfuP2u_7v0y69sCH4OWN792gRJKXi_If1gO8a5afZkTK4lRIW66MaP3Up-svAS7lZUYjAb7dp5VIfOwIzMVh6G6tvBjWsQKrxuPenrOkw2jpyDX5Y/s1600-h/122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384584136128177554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4FVuguSc2jGRU3rfL2VaIUj3OkdfuP2u_7v0y69sCH4OWN792gRJKXi_If1gO8a5afZkTK4lRIW66MaP3Up-svAS7lZUYjAb7dp5VIfOwIzMVh6G6tvBjWsQKrxuPenrOkw2jpyDX5Y/s320/122.JPG" border="0" /></a> The octagonal tower was added on to the castle in 1888-1889.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384590815137993298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2mA49gt4L6-hOpmRuKOaa2bo2VD7LCHSo4iUin6cjmxGlX6mQwSHFxXdrULmXH6KZrPCL0f3tDyFFo3r6fgHgte6pZ7KrryzBki1KxD_T41MdnVHEYrzr1UMvH7DXL-7WGhe6nt4xMI/s320/177.JPG" border="0" />Across the country lane that leads to the estate is the walled kitchen garden. It holds a number of small glasshouses, an orangery, and cold frames. The fruit and vegetables that are grown here are used by the family that live in the castle. </div><div> </div><div>Orangeries made their debut at fashionable residences starting in the 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">th</span> Century. They were used in a similar way that greenhouses or conservatories are used today. Though the main purpose was to store citrus trees, and other exotic imports, they were primarily seen as a symbol of prestige and wealth on top of being an important architectural element.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384577884006944562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lkXrxiPTNF9HRVD1G26SmTZw1K_TxfKqP3REIObwvVkyLyMqDUKZifC2-LtuHBGppQA9qJ9iXhMJ6Mz4a-4cM_HU02ZnKzR7d2dv0dY4ljL4bPoSF14ybu-C0D9ePog4rUKF6OS7BNI/s320/183.JPG" border="0" />A look inside one of the glasshouses revealed trained grapes growing inside to take advantage from the trapped heat of the sun.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384577893314498018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEIUBFpUmcfh3qXnZ7-8SO9SQnFXl7vSBvSNPKE3IyxkdcrcrKoIhOdIEl7lwMyuAVey5sYTqNzYlBgPIkLG0ZpYT8gwmm67_vd6_NEM_C_rxbjRfqzScO8ycwdMeifWN3G6FbCmokng/s320/190.JPG" border="0" /> The view inside the orangery gave the romantic impression of the passage of memories and time ....</div><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-83422942548771848052009-08-28T19:23:00.009+01:002009-09-14T18:43:22.308+01:00The Hague, Delft, and Utrecht<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThobsPP5nIS4EJ-7eHM3TgmJq_7eJ2cNmf-tLKvo2AUz4GYX1XkzX04tEOIee2O2v5kQdc0rVdzIz5kl3jzY1arjFByQ11iCJ_BRmMz1_U5r9i-qjVjHD3behmIa4o2fvWEKsqytvQtE/s1600-h/jimmy+043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375317494289911698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThobsPP5nIS4EJ-7eHM3TgmJq_7eJ2cNmf-tLKvo2AUz4GYX1XkzX04tEOIee2O2v5kQdc0rVdzIz5kl3jzY1arjFByQ11iCJ_BRmMz1_U5r9i-qjVjHD3behmIa4o2fvWEKsqytvQtE/s320/jimmy+043.JPG" border="0" /></a> Since arriving in the Netherlands, it seems as if I have visited alot of cities and towns here. Maybe it comes from living in the countryside at the moment and always craving the opposite? Here are just a few photos of a peek into some of these places that I have seen. With the amount of water I have seen in this country, it has really changed my view of ways that it could be integrated into the garden. Here is the home of the Dutch Parliament and government offices, which seems even more grand by its reflection that helps solidify its importance.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NcErgS5YxX_Lub3NT1UYjgpbwWwCmKJw45rbMOTubzPYEQo1mr-dfDt9GEc2fexXExWheUqsIHYfqfe5hxhAK7cjteufYsWtw_EJI4bnVJz-h5-TKFjTRTJCJDNn3X23ZyGMJra6YXA/s1600-h/jimmy+056.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375316858720964498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NcErgS5YxX_Lub3NT1UYjgpbwWwCmKJw45rbMOTubzPYEQo1mr-dfDt9GEc2fexXExWheUqsIHYfqfe5hxhAK7cjteufYsWtw_EJI4bnVJz-h5-TKFjTRTJCJDNn3X23ZyGMJra6YXA/s320/jimmy+056.JPG" border="0" /></a> Or what about this bridge in Delft that plays with function and form at the same time? It could've been just a simple arc bridge, but would it still catch your eye?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7IbVSV6E6zv8VCS65E-K7L0HoQVWyhtXBMIt0tscvPEkwDFGHuJuQg9a3L8bdcsnLZ0Ia2MW6rXAyaJ-sO2DFAh3DEHmYkhJNJpK9lHDLpd5VIYKW7ysyqbtc4OpTYWTzzqXEOzlT-8/s1600-h/jimmy+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375316853081619186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7IbVSV6E6zv8VCS65E-K7L0HoQVWyhtXBMIt0tscvPEkwDFGHuJuQg9a3L8bdcsnLZ0Ia2MW6rXAyaJ-sO2DFAh3DEHmYkhJNJpK9lHDLpd5VIYKW7ysyqbtc4OpTYWTzzqXEOzlT-8/s320/jimmy+052.JPG" border="0" /></a> Or these homes, right on the canal, that help make Delft feel like you are a character in a Richard Scarey storybook? I had read an interesting story about how exciting it is for a child to be raised in Amsterdam. It spoke about how as a child, you are constantly ridden around on bikes, always next to the canals and it's water, and how all of the houses look like they are out of a fairytale- short, narrow buildings with playful roof tops.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAe9F_HGCUV5_A0JWcjqz5aKflgJHwvJTfaDzF-52_LYjQO5IM88flZmIrSgw058EEQJB-gTsaXZJOZQXglRk19GdDmTonxhat8zA_0_Ux3pNIkcNMPohkMwDLCFrkwfnB6iI3L_jL2U/s1600-h/jimmy+050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375316835029048770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAe9F_HGCUV5_A0JWcjqz5aKflgJHwvJTfaDzF-52_LYjQO5IM88flZmIrSgw058EEQJB-gTsaXZJOZQXglRk19GdDmTonxhat8zA_0_Ux3pNIkcNMPohkMwDLCFrkwfnB6iI3L_jL2U/s320/jimmy+050.JPG" border="0" /></a> It's not just the details that always strike me, but the whole picture too, such as the view towards the Cathedral in Delft... There are only shapes I see when I look at this photo- triangles, rectangles and squares. When looking at images, or views, I am always wondering how I would start sketching what I see.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4syG_VQTfP-Pi6QsflYHMamiUo_hdEOn-RNWYidmPp6jmXvB8KnqsQ3ZmKDHMxG_A6yMamT4CJx0Cxp1oKPU1oju_eQiuzhjfVs5A7PHDANGZV9qylTXoQQc3COe38YOvJjsFghgson8/s1600-h/jimmy+045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375316822332379154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4syG_VQTfP-Pi6QsflYHMamiUo_hdEOn-RNWYidmPp6jmXvB8KnqsQ3ZmKDHMxG_A6yMamT4CJx0Cxp1oKPU1oju_eQiuzhjfVs5A7PHDANGZV9qylTXoQQc3COe38YOvJjsFghgson8/s320/jimmy+045.JPG" border="0" /></a> There is a bit of playfulness in this contrast between old and new in Utrecht. Again, two simple shapes, make this otherwise common scene, a bit more interesting.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5liMf6-8Y-kCnLXQ3w85U86XfHlL4gNKSBqluFmUVbE-v-UvIbfn1biCnXbYIwuIJLSjYyGVkpaKucDIlhuGXK9OmtuX4espZWxIZrmJJ_dMdy-CiCLQIbYYWVHhqIUCKYL81thVTVo/s1600-h/jimmy+080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375312953387827026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5liMf6-8Y-kCnLXQ3w85U86XfHlL4gNKSBqluFmUVbE-v-UvIbfn1biCnXbYIwuIJLSjYyGVkpaKucDIlhuGXK9OmtuX4espZWxIZrmJJ_dMdy-CiCLQIbYYWVHhqIUCKYL81thVTVo/s320/jimmy+080.JPG" border="0" /></a> It seems everywhere I go, there is always something that looks like it was set up to look a certain way, to attract attention. This is not always the case though, since this is just<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaV7KOmh_m28UlXigcPnVXd5v3opUpAPZuoqApQLTfZmhf2ngOvVCvjQxYnXmqPXDGdH4eDdJ5oe8oAcH83zozHwmIQUGv6hG9NgddP6QgQGcNWJcnL7fWF3rQmBjlgG2RrtnBhK-P3c/s1600-h/jimmy+078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375312937511513250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaV7KOmh_m28UlXigcPnVXd5v3opUpAPZuoqApQLTfZmhf2ngOvVCvjQxYnXmqPXDGdH4eDdJ5oe8oAcH83zozHwmIQUGv6hG9NgddP6QgQGcNWJcnL7fWF3rQmBjlgG2RrtnBhK-P3c/s320/jimmy+078.JPG" border="0" /></a> how the Dutch live their lives..... </div><div align="center"> </div></div></div></div></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-11147336772423819712009-08-20T17:08:00.012+01:002009-08-28T19:20:06.703+01:00Piet Oudolf<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372101102519607986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4obmYxlJdxSB5q82-r0Tqis4mJeG3gg6i8bv9Im-nvxg25J1ig623pFwj8OHvYMH0LPCEvbS6CfcXnOk9rF7IZOGrNra3PmclKzx-jLJlcq5Fp6FceU6DOVdyLPzOMqFGyYKnDjbn9s/s320/jimmy+010+(2).JPG" border="0" />Closeby to De Wiersse is Kwekerij Piet Oudolf, the home, garden, and nursery of the well known Dutch garden designer, author and nurseryman. He has designed parks and gardens in the Netherlands, Sweden, Enlgand, Germany, and the United States and is part of the "New Perennial" movement. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">In the United States, Piet Oudolf has put his mark on the Millennium Park in Chicago, Battery Park in New York, and most recently, the newly opened High Line in New York City. The High Line, with all sections complete, will be a mile and half long city park that is constructed on elevated train train tracks in Manhattan's West Side. I am excited to go see this when I get back home to NYC. </div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372101095612661170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCO9Ui_L5MH-JFqvZhflmoro6xRh_0b-VajghoYCQwvOgGYri_fx7-eHbGq_-3VDn6vi-PCQDXZSfUcd-hABebPuvDIFySWLFmXHoBSt1MB11xTVvmikxUd4-c8ApAqVIQza84GnC6D0/s320/jimmy+009+(2).JPG" border="0" />Piet's work is always a pleasure to look at and is a master at using texture and color. His gardens rely on mass plantings used in interesting combinations and the plants should have interest the whole season through, from foliage, to blooms, to deteriorating seedheads in the fall and winter. It is always wise to pay attention to the details of plants.....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372099812859698578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTCDObCsXNuA-6RyzPJ2wllcZ1dpWUMYmWV-jhndaaqAb4Zb0WqAZAmfxmgAFxGPjt3u4_3HHmkMU5grFNV-xyIqlqYX-aXqoL0G6cJVftieEqtyfwJnnR2mIsmHlDPuCwRw_Z-q-5TI/s320/jimmy+003+(2).JPG" border="0" />The nursery consisted of the selling area, a display garden, and there was access to the private garden too. Here is the display garden, with some of the very tall perennials that are used, such as Eupatoriums, grasses, Asters, Rudbeckias, and Helianthus. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372099830183120114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87VGo6Tv4uaqIJCnlCkbWm8piPVopU-1KT6Qybi9VlR6xNVU5Ok4lwTFloTx-ZDpjA-o0EECOoUPYmOKOHHnTyEGJo_LrdLL1N5DHKOwESGCbeqvSVN0fCH3W2z3EkBD6ipvqbPVkQ8I/s320/jimmy+006+(2).JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">All of the plants were labeled making it so easy to jot the name down, only to pick it up later and put it in your basket.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372099824750803842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqoGNAJkYgSmyGyl1lpxwM8wAzr2XjMVBaBwwKVrcEYLGrCjO6M9j8CzK_2dDPsHMV9NlwFB2JQC1yBG8YREYxDGEOyUpS6lj67j85SQO2gr8lfMOahQ-pQBp0EfK4aj3Oa9IKIxlSWE/s320/jimmy+004+(2).JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">A display garden is the perfect way to sell plants, it is easy to get carried away and want it all...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372099842018091826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWnEHUyH9w7PcFXkL2EjqkAoChUTu-iLQwhqvkRan0KVizfoYqT20qJo0MJc7IdhRzchgnBWGU3tWEKPrGaKaIQ0xnkn0SIhAbfLCq4H9iSOuih_YV7gdvV4Yfyn7DxnHkP18uRdawN8/s320/jimmy+007+(2).JPG" border="0" />A favorite of mine was <em>Sanguisorba</em> 'Busy Court'...</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhElVO5ZOd5mhO_Ds7GzKJHE_8SumA9ms_wAzodOik0dXjeuXRYvBGNEIaW-kkDo69IM7MynG_ygaKdDIlAwNIO9il6I27yMe3PDihowsODQsWbAjHi9V7IC2Y_iSRMVv4jOjWajShKQ0/s1600-h/jimmy+027+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372126548344732082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhElVO5ZOd5mhO_Ds7GzKJHE_8SumA9ms_wAzodOik0dXjeuXRYvBGNEIaW-kkDo69IM7MynG_ygaKdDIlAwNIO9il6I27yMe3PDihowsODQsWbAjHi9V7IC2Y_iSRMVv4jOjWajShKQ0/s320/jimmy+027+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> The lovely <em>Echinacea purpurea</em> 'Rubinglow'<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372101108538093042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO-Ioynep1PulKJ-jqI6rNxip0tkTX42_jig6q5lXel_BoBZ9dPdbAyr8HEGlcptUgMAKXVbD6rXYlCCtkRX5_axuMpOWRecu-GLHLDvcDQRIqvhbkhUIOM3diPrufs-YP-fq_n1CSj4/s320/jimmy+011+(2).JPG" border="0" />On to the private garden..<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372122434995353394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRJGkp_42v97yR-mdYf5KmfCt25uYVrofbekZfoeAu8kNHP1duh8V7e5JI3WLWev9RFOptlrxFR9CxXBqTrUHsZEXby8GB_mbCYPURwZ_ubE5bg3wvdzxchLpuzJhNyNBPzVESKGnu58/s320/jimmy+021+(2).JPG" border="0" /> Neatly clipped Yew hedges mark the entrance to the private garden. Clipped hedges are very typical of the Dutch garden, and are noticeable almost everywhere you go.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372122419137986242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35w9CQMSqa_PNPyNSzA4eEG_xU0MYYTwTdsh2hH0M45XCHHOG4RWBLWwhjqABXeMTYS72kFAcRr80pIbQnIicOGQo2D1nY5U7a9CFavmo58HMPS5AlRkqfrk1iwagHsU334PuDDX72Qs/s320/jimmy+019+(2).JPG" border="0" /> More clipped but undulating hedges provided a backdrop for what seemed to be a chaotic symphony of blooms, seedheads and textures. The grass really seemed to emphasize the intense heat of the sun that day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaJ0FR1Jo47wsC49su0ELsjfLFaXTe7cepT87XhC5gZPxThHH_PCP4Y_i-jkSjCdlLtrynexSZ2PTu9w7hIPfbgKQdOZv4IY9I51n3VrNEehCr67pnrX7wD5v1g_GovXkJk5xl9jsBh4/s1600-h/jimmy+026+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372123795484311058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaJ0FR1Jo47wsC49su0ELsjfLFaXTe7cepT87XhC5gZPxThHH_PCP4Y_i-jkSjCdlLtrynexSZ2PTu9w7hIPfbgKQdOZv4IY9I51n3VrNEehCr67pnrX7wD5v1g_GovXkJk5xl9jsBh4/s320/jimmy+026+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> Another view of the magic.<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoH0AJq27OGuKDaCUMnD_WLaKIzYUPcAe0W2wejGqLzEb9CfTmSkHiDBiMQUZdnrowgeSJdp-0MMoGxSei2YGIbJUtliYVSSLxF8OXcFFTbAD8pv1NVthm9cQbLEvyMbyD0KGkBONpXU/s1600-h/jimmy+022+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372122443575592482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoH0AJq27OGuKDaCUMnD_WLaKIzYUPcAe0W2wejGqLzEb9CfTmSkHiDBiMQUZdnrowgeSJdp-0MMoGxSei2YGIbJUtliYVSSLxF8OXcFFTbAD8pv1NVthm9cQbLEvyMbyD0KGkBONpXU/s320/jimmy+022+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a>The blooms of <em>Echinops ritro</em> 'Veitch's Blue' seem to be floating in a sea of <em>Deschampsia</em> cespitosa 'Goldtau'.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoziSCeXqTaCngl65jdvgd9-v5LyxJMTODjOOyqZb7UMzYQuWmnKyITsdkD_FYxHOsj96pJLzAsBTuF_QFEOMaNHxYSevleULsV3QTf5gh2sfDmAPViuq-1wr8Jhvq24T9J6vzhi3lNfk/s1600-h/jimmy+020+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372122425369539282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoziSCeXqTaCngl65jdvgd9-v5LyxJMTODjOOyqZb7UMzYQuWmnKyITsdkD_FYxHOsj96pJLzAsBTuF_QFEOMaNHxYSevleULsV3QTf5gh2sfDmAPViuq-1wr8Jhvq24T9J6vzhi3lNfk/s320/jimmy+020+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> Amidst the plantings, Yew columns would rise up, giving more solidity to the garden.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSucXIumcnbI4WB9S0xQ_PWhuFQovfCVjTOve-6tM8XUT9u0K2XzLMvD9y9HPd9b_PI9CQAyZMkJ3f7bfsYs3A8L9Rezauf445kj1_Fj0Qz5rqHja5sNq_S-Uk3aHiLxS4mjqo_COaupU/s1600-h/jimmy+013+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372101124392492786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSucXIumcnbI4WB9S0xQ_PWhuFQovfCVjTOve-6tM8XUT9u0K2XzLMvD9y9HPd9b_PI9CQAyZMkJ3f7bfsYs3A8L9Rezauf445kj1_Fj0Qz5rqHja5sNq_S-Uk3aHiLxS4mjqo_COaupU/s320/jimmy+013+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> Showing a bit of humor are these perfectly placed stone sheep. Sheep are common everywhere in the Netherlands. <div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372102479883905666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfyqCA2gB8cqrdMKW_r9T9EI_ms0-n_jThkBUAoXlaz4lY8zanTCc5I0Q9djp-Ha2Bu4ccp_3MtLTvdhy0bJTG1USer81HENryt4n3f1MqAK2-4msLWdYdzeOJE-AMAg2p1FgWPfV-Xo/s320/jimmy+017+(2).JPG" border="0" />The way out of the garden was a Beech arbor of an interesting shape. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372126542937861698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWXhKCQyRXDK7fYhoznNTzt4ZYaYEhNh0WBVhUjxIZXDkxrmr4UnxjN_SQLTeXheK32c7jXc5uINK6aksn-feoOawC7xHJyVX09CU21aloBd5fibxGTGmXHjvzFt3jfef1GFmTwRAfW0/s320/jimmy+028+(2).JPG" border="0" /> On the way through , you were able to get one last glimpse of Piet's creativity through windows cut out in the arbor.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-85706870556413617792009-08-14T19:42:00.027+01:002009-08-16T19:32:24.130+01:00Paleis Het Loo- inside and out<div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4GtAB8sfvWTkvOgz8pcyE0UZtGIobWqnqdetCEXmQxY14FvShg87bFp17Op2WHiOkmEYO4rTJl4WWRsJRWVgATOwHGtfydJtMhVmjKuJ4V5NJ7HOYMYyCJhEheW42q0pMKWR6QJw6ZI/s1600-h/jimmy+159.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370120675415141474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4GtAB8sfvWTkvOgz8pcyE0UZtGIobWqnqdetCEXmQxY14FvShg87bFp17Op2WHiOkmEYO4rTJl4WWRsJRWVgATOwHGtfydJtMhVmjKuJ4V5NJ7HOYMYyCJhEheW42q0pMKWR6QJw6ZI/s320/jimmy+159.JPG" border="0" /></a> After walking down one of the long allees you finally come to the entrance of Paleis Het Loo, and enter its front courtyard. The large space feels immense, making the Paleis Het Loo that much grander. Paleis Het Loo means the 'Woods Palace' and is not actually a palace but it was used as a 'pleasure house'.</div><br /><div align="center">Paleis Het Loo is a Baroque building which was built between 1684 and 1686. It was the residence of the House of Orange-Nassau from the 17th Century until the death of Queen Wilhelmina in 1962, who ruled the Netherlands for fifty-eight years. In 1960 the Queen declared for the Paleis to be given to the State upon her death. </div><br /><div align="center">I had the pleasure of visiting this garden two times, the first as a visitor, and the second as a guest of the head gardener. It was interesting because even though I thought I took it all in while there the first time, you never really understand a place until you have an inside view. </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369901421240420898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYedAMue2oBqYlcxPHMWSKsyOxhX1EJ4qvwOEG6uw_GC8cxszk7Vpccv9AKK1IS9b_saD_RR133E4OyMwky7oFAb4quxgQhvTMlPOaIKOeOIqRvpuJKNhEqYHcZP-tiHQA2k9dmvDL0ns/s320/jimmy+158.JPG" border="0" />Even before entering the gardens, you see the many Laurel trees and Orange trees in the wooden planters associated with Paleis Het Loo. It was customary to paint the square tubs white and the round tubs green, which are also throughout the gardens. These plants are put out in the warmer months and put back into the Orangery in the cooler months. </div><br /><div align="center">Wooden planters themselves didn't show up until the 1600s, so Paleis Het Loo was right on course with the times.</div><br /><div align="center">It is a different experience going to a historical garden. While you think you can understand what is going on, it is important to really scratch the surface and seek out the details that help define it. </div><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370148591302105858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd-VIFOx8IhDJw_qu9Qbw9T7iOJHd1xRDK7gvezsU7Yb1wFEd_Er6Xf-uDmvr_yHe5m-IAjxAyXy0AFy1cYSjG4SmuXRJSu6H2wIuPxlqsa9Xi20LtHZXahrqbjURtjtAlWJZL9GAz9g/s320/jimmy+164.JPG" border="0" /> The gardens are designed in the Dutch Baroque style. A Baroque garden is one that follows a formula that includes, perfect symmetry (which mirrors the house, thus bringing more attention to it), an axial layout with gravel paths and walks radiating outwards, and parterres that encompass fountains, basins and statues. These hedges can be with or without flowers planted amongst them. </div><div align="center"><br />There are a few areas to cover on the grounds. There is the King's Garden, the Lower Garden, the Queen's or Princesses Garden, and the Upper Garden. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369901432963749410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHxwPYqDw0ccGwX1VDwBnzVVgzX3cZg0Wo7_Jat4ZDHGHGhM3KGY9OEZSKRjy1C4rRWfgLB6vaA8ll0TDYYvrdfmJPy_iDBQkXf9vWxW_LQi76xJzQENm0A8Y1ILBjSenvfls3SJiWeU/s320/jimmy+161.JPG" border="0" />The King's garden has a bowling green which was used for various games and a parterre hedge of Boxwood. Here in the planting mix was a Geranium that had been staked so the plant grew up and displayed it's blooms on top, rather than it's typical habit of sprawling all over it's neighbors. This makes for a much more tidy effect. It is hard to see in the photo, </div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370239137826632626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xxHEC9ZucerFHGas_g753OToAqVrWZEjHZ9gq9zO4k4tayzoKX5-VTQize4OHutN8yrhMHuKpgM3-gQxvFq_3YBFl1PbUE2rR8MRYQq2CgEAdjYHpuqQGQlIp566oJY2qzN3Ay-YBZo/s320/jimmy+029+(2).JPG" border="0" />so I included a sketch from my garden journal to get an idea of how it was staked. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370148602996540466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaARsvuJHdCHx_anphlXvLKCpd-WMnxSeNaxTAcJpoKHxx0pv8j9XWU-GYZhaOqEDnusZ4NKyHgdGhs07ovknJcuzE9qQ7usqQbgCNNEIJI70ARUBAeMWfW53NEjW5_Y8YkWWRCjG0SLo/s320/jimmy+167.JPG" border="0" />Large gardens can seem so overwhelming sometimes to the eye and one way around this is through repetition. This can be done with shapes, colors, forms, plants and materials. Even the shadows play along with this theme using the embankment as their backdrop. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369901448638126914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc1EpvUxJIKQIww6s8xI9LN_KwfqRC_iXYmXxK7lTX8KbxgeG78sC1MzzmOQwJmh0nw3huhRNDJRNuQIKUnqiAMHW7R1GknIyj3NMJCHn63HyIv9LmtjKYZFVjjVmvEm2tuLu10N17D4/s320/jimmy+165.JPG" border="0" />Here the plants and pots are repeated and notice too that some of the plants used actually prefer the hot dry conditions that they are in. This means less maintenance on the pots and more time on other areas for the gardeners. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369903017662180594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgsiSHGrR7WTMA4-B7QoB98AO5rqG4Merf8ytNU67bMBMrtEHrebzgzsJin4LEkrz21u-GvCvK7zlRc8s3qrW5Ugz2bS3rgOuSIs64D4-BE6rge37gbTRjINfzt8Opil5g00KKcSSgus/s320/jimmy+166.JPG" border="0" />The Lower Garden here, shows everything the Baroque garden represents, statues included. Formal gardens were a way to show status and also to show what could be done when nature and art were combined.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369904785530266146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nzRBWNZFD8GnF1_eLgg014LNJV3zyvHUWFippxiRdUD5f8qimi6DyRdZ9rIDsYGsOCAENDgXCv_NGjv1Q5MsXBci-fJ1Czg265OWefEdaonhc_PFAnqt-NxRJvdzMRNFzxIGenBzVos/s320/jimmy+175.JPG" border="0" />It is exciting for me to look at the sculptures and ornamental vases in the garden too, since each has it's own story. Vases are used in the garden to accentuate changes in level and immediately brings the eye into perspectives. They help lead the eye up to take in the garden as a whole. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370241459625787346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0MlIx8BZNPUlQQZVMuGD1xPi7LMJVhyphenhypheni-Q7gehyphenhyphenYoepplLX2kRCINPScbz0jeO1Uj46n9PJf4f7OrYDxAcK855dJUReeCb-QhuhhclGaG_GbrjpHt11tupsEU9mIiGltLpkV4Thwbb4/s320/jimmy+177.JPG" border="0" />This vase represents virtue, Virtus, with a woman holding a laurel wreath, above two cherubs and a globe. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369904775780216322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsS_c2uxwv3Jb-KwEXNHPZ-IoDk9C-Nb4dD2dAx_cvHFuCDOA13dIj102JVeGpVsG_1LPuPoyXR4WnWHvll332bdR8uk2bLEzajSR28fc3oCCQw5ncMleV-uMzTk8lvnBNPhJtSk6KNw/s320/jimmy+174.JPG" border="0" />Another detail not lost were the cascading fountains flanking both sides of the descending stairs into the Lower Gardens. These fountains represent two rivers- the Rhine and the Ijssel, with the </div>Paleis Het Loo being built in the middle.<br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629640723020482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4IPy6UwEnjSoQ3Co-5U5R3uPGM9DVct0nSIodbxnlKF4-9RliheYQN9jDAscvq7thpJ0lnwrdleRILDBBt33j6XYWXdjzOYFf7dPYsttfCclYpJO3wDLZN8jmrs3UlMyvkgFVXdzEyk/s320/jimmy+170.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center">Here is another view of the Lower Gardens and it's plantings. Through the head gardener I was told that only plants pre-1700 are used in the planting scheme. History first is important with the bedding plants. Some plants, like Lobelia, just made it in though, coming in at 1699. phew..<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369903042999529138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzPjFGGyVmilyw0dwFca8J2z65C3g5NiPZ7uTTDL7VNG4V36Zv8ZyLepDE_cZRaLMdX980jmyTkZ0SfbLEr1fLS-AkCPniYj43XpZ_75piJbQyqPPRySPS29CRQPLrt5oKsqpJoK4nB4/s320/jimmy+168.JPG" border="0" />Here is a cascade with Arion, who is the god of quick decision making. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369907184319737906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRL5J8mHrEnJYTzRmntpDbIzPuOjWdWegf48khTggtzlPsc1oQDmaMyayf0F_pguLuLFVN-yge0-noosuycrQqHC1Yyl-saoanVlt9hrvrl_UMaQz51uL3GVb9Q5l0IGRcrwql7zts-1M/s320/jimmy+190.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">My favorite is the Narcissus cascade. The story of Narcissus goes as follows: He loved no one else until one day, while thirsty, he bent down to take a drink and caught sight of his own reflection in the water. He became fascinated and obsessed with his reflection, and while looking at himself he fell in and drowned, and was then turned into the flower of the same name. What is also interesting is that his mother was a nymph whose name was Liriope, which is the name of another plant. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5lqwT2OeTpOWw6jTXEiDefOkvofIDLumdQZNQuZa-P9SXodU5M6IcLY0wt8JCpr3CBZIeQ8G9uDDpwdMm2lkb4TN34CdViCbLrRGgThpgizO8uIF_Rq7qqKJSODUiqBX1X-53n0jUSY/s1600-h/jimmy+201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369911261555745890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5lqwT2OeTpOWw6jTXEiDefOkvofIDLumdQZNQuZa-P9SXodU5M6IcLY0wt8JCpr3CBZIeQ8G9uDDpwdMm2lkb4TN34CdViCbLrRGgThpgizO8uIF_Rq7qqKJSODUiqBX1X-53n0jUSY/s320/jimmy+201.JPG" border="0" /></a>The south-west parterre holds the sun god Apollo,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369911258367210386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh7Fbt0nW-4QL5YD_OHcTcyumZ18FPq84MPP54Am_rQ5GwIM81Vf9_FHSrMU_ilZQz590r32BXSjra3mXu7jKNe2q9QHbHrAnPxiDQaPCftm9vP_riRcpK5QnrGzjvFLRcGBBF6eWXvA/s320/jimmy+200.JPG" border="0" />and the north-west parterre holds Pomona, the goddess of fruit, especially those grown on trees.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369907169036354306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn1iWwml5MhuEtShW2AWyOU0pZMxfGVenddrseCXO9IYmePoM-_9UnROnVz3VwtaFjCsoc-ZcM79-RLHK8dvxx5CFxEF-o5ojzaf-Y15E4mDBdvJAj_0MXz1y4HCkSVvc9CbFEAmtvus/s320/jimmy+188.JPG" border="0" /> The south-east side of the garden holds Flora, goddess of flowering or blossoming plants.</div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369907175529954338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67HgKeMVB8nrV-y4Wzush-ISill1Gfz7DRTnvVF_urmb_wjCEt1AA_BFo21SDffT8KKKvPsjLk_gKvpYAOXZDTa924RKghyhbfqRzowkKHynCPFwwOFjbJ19LBJtyANHkcGWHNa7H40M/s320/jimmy+189.JPG" border="0" />and to the north-east Bacchus, the god of wine.</div><div align="center">If you think about the statues, it represents all that should be enjoyed in a garden- sun, fruit, flowers and wine...<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369904815826446802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOxwdWTPBBdzn59nCH0c_i93xLXDbzmWKMp4Q5-NnP6kxaVILEhnQatX-SaSIHy48Icg1lR3o_hUzc3MuXS5a3zfEq3oB7OuvdCpq_Mxvnk-60gQx6E67G6z5Dtb_jraoZki21XbMn2k/s320/jimmy+181.JPG" border="0" />On one side of the Paleis Het Loo, there is the Queen's or Princess's Garden. This was the private garden of Queen Mary, who lived in the apartments just above and therefore had a birds eye view of the parterre hedges. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370148618651337522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SYfNoiz9OqEggbzBaCVvLQQ2KVqSxd9k6lhnJ6JfVH84PGq7Nh8Aj2NyGJFMjMGRUcaHATRuVNRTbrAohZ6TK9kEx1aNX6rPx_iQ_ve1FTwLTTKSQwlzI2LzktLp4Y1dD0MIDuFaUuw/s320/jimmy+178.JPG" border="0" /> In this garden the plants used have flowers that have more of a feminine touch. Flowers associated with the Virgin Mary such as Aquilegias and Lilies are perennial plants used in these beds. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369904808414851666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzbGCryVf0BpwLJP3Ve0N9Y9Y-2fr1x31As2GY9DNpFrpV06xFX29m14TUbg0_ebLhUuB1FT5mPdLonnSP-krIEdYyNQqOKgRGXVeu6sYPB8IuG9swG8eumAU-BTgxox1W2fGmNIuXpA/s320/jimmy+179.JPG" border="0" /> These arbored pathways were incredible, not only for the skill it took to grow, train and shear them but with how they resembled the architecture around them, thus linking house and garden seamlessly. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369907150278884050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39RbFsuPYotm1XZZEovF_YzsIrawCIOu0qiCvytH0_QO94mF2jUN4MB8fzWBtTZbsCAmsoMOd7ZkqhFZvprKLm2VWJwvvRtHJdlbquHggdM2gb-wvvM80KtZv0NkMdqMSYhK4Eyr_VrM/s320/jimmy+184.JPG" border="0" />The Fountain of Venus serves as a central axis in the Lower garden,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369901440027419698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZET_cgjgQHaKzHRgfyD3E57PsR9NQdZNuz9DyKiPgnwNVmek3_b8p14bSKCx3ki01m2pk9dbar6Y0PZMLbUeWHfIu1h8fQ-fVJ8-cShwcnl9vMnbBFGWijTRjJKSvBFW1FfPQLZZUD8w/s320/jimmy+162.JPG" border="0" />and a small fountain detail. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369903059257686258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCOq_ELopg3SndNgljoXpjapUEZYWsncsSqUyW6buR2nwuXDtjs0mqjGGWFLjNy4oK260puAI6e08oJ8P2qw_zB9pufb3zgwMkEP6IwOBLiayVcrjdEoFZbfvQ4f2g3hOjbNdgrtA4d8/s320/jimmy+171.JPG" border="0" /> There are tree lined canals which quietly usher you into another area of the garden. Originally Beech, <em>Fagus sylvatica, </em>were used but these were switched to Oaks during the restoration of the garden. This was so the branches of the full grown trees would be able to be pruned up the trunk so the view of the gardens beyond were not spoiled while looking from the Paleis.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IAZf5ekugMEZ8RB0vIdukB0UzTgm9efAlCUwUr3fdhSxVcQcQpHqzR6ErebSVzgg0b8ijpxP2zF8uXyJ8ZBAeOlOBzWxpxfXWnvZpZzwIhG1iKGHgcFNWMPlPWjbkDKd8SebvIywrY8/s1600-h/jimmy+194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369911249054279442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IAZf5ekugMEZ8RB0vIdukB0UzTgm9efAlCUwUr3fdhSxVcQcQpHqzR6ErebSVzgg0b8ijpxP2zF8uXyJ8ZBAeOlOBzWxpxfXWnvZpZzwIhG1iKGHgcFNWMPlPWjbkDKd8SebvIywrY8/s320/jimmy+194.JPG" border="0" /></a> The fountain acts as a focal point on the main axis while looking back to the Paleis.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369911237117231538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmeV6zZI2jxwQecCZr4IRhortuFTxslbLrhqo8nOTe1esNulAgf3n6kkKfzTayjV4OUXrFgCGZQ0QxBn1Lct3QRLF41l4ZxJzi3Nndwba3H8T4amvyuBvVA4qwhwE6mzEt7DLvSnx06I/s320/jimmy+192.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370148628843687826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrzb9wiXBUtenGXn2s6bb3qrcIhsS_DPe35nAlUVaMUx8c8ZVHuHBDZWzU43cPUJaLAovO9cER_EMtK0WYqlv6nC3pDzaTapeZQGYfzlHAlxOKZtu1Svzg2oEvy8Nd6G_lki_jlsZ4gc/s320/jimmy+197.JPG" border="0" /> Perspective is another trick that gardeners like to use, whether it is to create more space or some other trick to the eye. At Paleis Het Loo, once you reach the furthest end of the garden, you notice just the Paleis slightly rising from the hedges and the fountain as a focal point to emphasize how grand the gardens were.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370142809465691618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xsE1j14jDLcIDiHBErqgL9V9oQ_vTKgPQejDwwbiBhB6aQedYW0NJCGZJbcJSt8-zS008X7HkPWBxsc7p8sCMaSAXfzKFWjj1kdMnHBAvAdJm19MRGyvYmaTQIpZqgfqVsC_iOOe7Wc/s320/jimmy+434.JPG" border="0" /> There was a tour with the head gardener that took us to the boat house which had their Fucshia standards,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370629014367357362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGj_GbSTPcZCPpFc79fPwiCGvWdMB_ILzDm0XRMjGTbdUbzeAzdK7OWXjLuul8j5naqXDEAbSR4VWYtpBnlIDJRhWBMXBgjmWaWnorAffhvLyS9Gun-hnu4VoPWX_IaoEgCECOoJ2rHM/s320/jimmy+427.JPG" border="0" />a walk down a Medieval allee, and past a building called the elephant house where the exotic menagerie was kept. I was told that Napoleon tried to steal the elephants that were kept in this building from Paleis Het Loo, but they did not want to go to Paris. Eventually they were coaxed into going by feeding them biscuits soaked in gin.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370142795074087010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwYbQkrrfgS9IRH_bx0HQR5tR4fuYij_AhD2b2ejFOo_PfU0pFQ-cPN6-GFJ-Y0Kf_6W3KsiwFCpKTvMZ85eai3SNlvygKpxMpQsK9Kp_lqD_l4ISEOwSAdeQWcHgBbIpHEavyNJLvmA/s320/jimmy+450.JPG" border="0" />It was a treat to get to see the cutting garden on the grounds. Paleis Het Loo is well known for its impressive floral arrangements that are displayed throughout the palace interior. Some of the cut flowers seen were Agapanthus, Tagetes, Crocosmia, Zinnia, Snapdragon, Amaranthus, Cornflowers, Nicotiana, Lathryus and many others. In some arrangements I had also seen <em>Liriodendron tulipifera</em> foliage mixed in for effect.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370142788434692898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs07JVxs6fV91RQbNd3mTVsv4luVfFz66WhWw79t7ci5ZSpkCz64tnI8ezAEtC6o4C7V974ya3IsoQEwHQhQJKnzPzBpafVwqOFppmKVLzJj9H8NzmHmzt9HF0T6qyH8ID3lr_k_jhWcA/s320/jimmy+453.JPG" border="0" /> For a cutting garden, this idea seemed to make perfect sense. A post was put into the ground, and around them sunflowers or dahlias would be planted. A string would then be tied around them to prevent them from flopping and falling over.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369911274607187602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyBgTUexEi5dGOpOTxG-P6I3F9GX60BKEsJ4Kf66OuasJBfixwm8rxNKy2VAJp7Y6Gu99SwxO5abzCrNMSoDwCNxOYzWozjy5Dgb13xrJ7IoeAQja07ZvgPXmVwVsLv2lFpuP_EaOyq8/s320/jimmy+203.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p align="center">I leave you with one of the many beautiful arrangements seen inside...</p></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-63716607988004963922009-06-21T10:03:00.015+01:002009-06-21T18:34:43.224+01:00The pleasures of being a kitchen gardener<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349766689374563170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWYlVxhb1CECmUV7cM9pGvuBsRFS5OytTWdlNr625q2KXWqjUwTgH_xKcAWn0WSPNMNEkJKy4tgIkXpXgUvksJeICnzxR48yJVHu9mEyknzKMs7bLSzWSrsLlTtrRNBcdVlcihgMKa0A/s320/jimmy+014+(3).JPG" border="0" /> To be a kitchen gardener has been a whole new experience for me, one that I relish every second of. Upon arrival I walked out to the kitchen garden, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349758353592246418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRP3egkv3xhQlY9cbczwiJuU31gUkH9nsaVkozYjjMItfMG-V34QMSIhtJam97E-fYQs3ubiEPvGf1Mrf0eM68UvK0ClTxJIb2ybDJXYJ2T15Cvb-vECy6NjXxCMppL49BQvWx0Ga6-Q/s320/jimmy+154.JPG" border="0" />where I was met with what seemed like an endless amount of empty beds. I wondered how many people would possibly be eating the fruit and vegetables. It was then that I found out there were annuals to be sown and many of the beds had dormant perennials in them. Foolish me. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349767553661548994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszZ2dUOeS_biseOAzL20DZg2UL8Icz7DI2RT7whJGVSg4h9e1fLO82Tm9LfNYBHIpyZImOpWEqXjuN8oOOQtU3V9FAAI-jbVlEPnENwND5RqOoIp6rdUBpyJsQgdQA8aLVP_K-7PGz0U/s320/jimmy+211.JPG" border="0" />So I immediately got to sowing seeds in the greenhouse. From annuals such as<em> Cosmo bipinnatus</em> 'Picotee' ,to vegetables such as Artichoke F1 'Amethyst', to the enchanting perrenial <em>Meconopsis betonicifolia.</em> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349758337292980338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UyS2cfeC7g_Y2m741812FbYXlBaP7xitpvF7jIjY41npfpLILI2rYhLVIiDEJM8Pkeh-kFGDGhA0krG2amjeZ7UpztBqpVOWR2RDwrDocMpp_gJ-kdAG6cIgElhSR0dVixusV-bZba4/s320/jimmy+157.JPG" border="0" />For awhile the cloches were my only friends out there, who waited for the rhubarb to push their tops off from underneath. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349758342744522066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzs8zFCL950ygVcfKiuWNlSPysj43vTw3ilgwCjsGg3EWKalSkF98cHZuS4JeD2_e8GwZQq41NE-t7aYTL5lftwdRSSKymiaZZ1wNYIt4fqztZ3Zqk0rfiAF8qC3oqQfExqGWv4Mep8A/s320/jimmy+156.JPG" border="0" />Soon the perennials awoke from their beds to introduce themselves. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349766692723099714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngdUpowr8B7dRGNSXIj-73L0yJC9ZFw9QeX1LJWchM2QU_i1bN81snHrjPg20O21SumZKSiyXf2TyW5rF99fWHzheCx_I8EUjRjA7mV4-0HfTWlb2AK-YvQN6qdsYmzlS0PIiGYJDDFw/s320/jimmy+012+(3).JPG" border="0" />The roller coaster ride of spring had started, and soon enough a barrage of blooms were flying past me. The first to introduce herself was <em>Pyrus communis</em> 'Comtesse de Paris', and it was then I started to feel at home.<br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349767540643748050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuutmX-tO0grYJOL83qqdE8zC8llD-X1r1V6hoYPlifyl-iUujcopDbKqDEU8o_kE1akeGgUC9wwMBRztyxXrkDGkQ6frDkeTVqFfDkshOOUoMxAUTCROAIKTUla7lMcCwcoKr_9x00M/s320/jimmy+131.JPG" border="0" />With the arrival of spring came more sun, which helped the lettuce seedlings gather together in straight lines so they could each get a turn in the spotlight. And more soon followed. If only all plants were so obedient... some prefer just to run everywhere..<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349775260385044834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnGA9UEo8z48aSnoauQGinIWLRC_PZgc27bldk5gZdDjW2-21J6OLhXehesVeioQrVNvKga0wKqi02RltRD9vpaX6dAIo7L5-dczBPz5SUzEdVtKFtCIIXflIj05gmFOhkBYEaNwwmBM/s320/jimmy+041.JPG" border="0" />Fennel took off, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349768549270100050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvOoRcaU1OqXu6nSMYboPf7fGpkwTfEDw2-GD2drZh7yI09lZ1SfLeXVIFYqU8wWA3u34N4hxtVu_rm2q3Z1Rpo3W3aeJYozcupUsRxtIDB-4dBClXVHklj8vEm0LwcI68ha5ZvNcvU4/s320/jimmy+240.JPG" border="0" />and Broad beans showed up every week with Dill , who worked together to fight off black fly. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349768539076590962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdpj4PU0IopdjoG-ZaWbKlPRB69n5LPiFhSTW-CKz_scOG1qNYuASiva5pB9p_VoZxqODGUSbVKEXbH_6HfT5YKFUKctyJZ_wFbPMvAzebF32n0f9c5o0w3e4GCyDY2zsUGyHBD-rGbc/s320/jimmy+217.JPG" border="0" />The potatoes are a shy bunch now, with each time being afraid of exposing too much, thus pulling up more of the soil around to protect themselves. What could they have to hide...<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349766679429652146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbEeI_4NtoWzgf8mzthQ8rj8f0h_oGIYAmnmMsYSXkbpLiGigbBMOtr61SknorYteENU1XaNosqF8UHpO2ZetnEViBwWaB8B9JQk6CSMZBFazwpLgLj_gJR_cEN1DKO64Ylm8IUeNZIo/s320/jimmy+129.JPG" border="0" /> <div> It seemed like overnight most of spring flew by and the vegetables just took off. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349772446066308290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ7RmtQgaEi1F58buzWMI6y2Py-lFLD5h7pTkfRJ0jlGqp84KVa8LyyKKHVBDL9Jwuv0-yrr3Nw_iW_SZnsdtDjvijbMe8xwjp2rfwOuwVmLo-vrPJbOnu7qOaxpYG0UGh6_OwuDqzcw/s320/jimmy+017.JPG" border="0" />Filling in nicely, and climbing appropriately up their designated pea sticks.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DEEa0XVuUZowhPFBSeTRWd5zNexnDlJSVCcqa4xYEWIXp749yys_lWod3XicTJqUEv4bKGiYwi0Y-W5sL680T6dwSB_KNWqX96Zub-wnUb7xnAwCTzab0GHVOW9q9CuR55XKbXUEPiM/s1600-h/jimmy+034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349774585127806178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DEEa0XVuUZowhPFBSeTRWd5zNexnDlJSVCcqa4xYEWIXp749yys_lWod3XicTJqUEv4bKGiYwi0Y-W5sL680T6dwSB_KNWqX96Zub-wnUb7xnAwCTzab0GHVOW9q9CuR55XKbXUEPiM/s320/jimmy+034.JPG" border="0" /></a> A colorful bunch they were. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349773600631944786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleygMp4OpRUz8wl0N0pOxxcuevQ1hhLStKczCnQBhTJp-PB1WNK8PaGe7_m2un70kWne7Yg-cQhuXv9b_vpfhasllem9t2DL3D83d3pizkJo8RkCam2cQ7ZP5I82xq7Fzy04sFWLY740/s320/jimmy+028.JPG" border="0" />Then the perennials showed up, stealing some of the spotlight. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349775271483577778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0xzA6UUqCXYB3XR1RBWpeo-JXear9xKU5DYNnAlOlYu2Epq8HpW7Ul1I5l86MjTrCedgcwALcPy_gmwdf4NQTCMA-35TjRHA-qlIyyFsdEUugAhYEABG0LG0y06cATDsdbsOaxXpwho/s320/jimmy+050.JPG" border="0" />And Petal, who always knows how to get attention.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrt-1YtZcKSgN8KBeT5aNWcKj8SCQdj9_4afpmTMqmJxp_t8snV3nHVVSzSgy_xnG824FqxasMfVXtKpTBuqzz92DpxBZJ8ptOrCgP9qbE2hmOL7cxUmBaDMbVeE8H4gy8JLEheyUksA/s1600-h/jimmy+033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349774578802711954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrt-1YtZcKSgN8KBeT5aNWcKj8SCQdj9_4afpmTMqmJxp_t8snV3nHVVSzSgy_xnG824FqxasMfVXtKpTBuqzz92DpxBZJ8ptOrCgP9qbE2hmOL7cxUmBaDMbVeE8H4gy8JLEheyUksA/s320/jimmy+033.JPG" border="0" /></a> Other cast members include, mustard greens meshing nicely with mangold.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaghtQn4tSPJcjncOaLbohZI7hw7BJBgN7dEJzZSmyKM4hDWhM7-ljXda5O3RGJUKzu8DG7SyPRiaYRLcFWw8CzHcn-e5ngAopwCDLzx31WBa9Uvdew0rA610A2Dd9keXRQMAdp_VdkG8/s1600-h/jimmy+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349774574533108402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaghtQn4tSPJcjncOaLbohZI7hw7BJBgN7dEJzZSmyKM4hDWhM7-ljXda5O3RGJUKzu8DG7SyPRiaYRLcFWw8CzHcn-e5ngAopwCDLzx31WBa9Uvdew0rA610A2Dd9keXRQMAdp_VdkG8/s320/jimmy+032.JPG" border="0" /></a> Peas, who slowly work their way up the pea sticks.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uZF048yThRuiE5-qakBOlWrkcDidO-54u8b56MBLTV1fFCmck06hnc3FVNsrJ_cMl1GnXguQP4tngGRkWobxLVB_fzozqGXbtCObYrO_PMjSvYpska5c3Ss1pdv_aiOqttUrNZHSIPo/s1600-h/jimmy+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349773611208848626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uZF048yThRuiE5-qakBOlWrkcDidO-54u8b56MBLTV1fFCmck06hnc3FVNsrJ_cMl1GnXguQP4tngGRkWobxLVB_fzozqGXbtCObYrO_PMjSvYpska5c3Ss1pdv_aiOqttUrNZHSIPo/s320/jimmy+031.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cos lettuce 'Marshall' coinciding with Lettuce 'Green Oakleaf'.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hOJBlsDDNETgeOFZTQmQhZVUGOHuQJ96WOlGts9KoWTPj9CPWfwgj2-USe4wCd6Zus6jfe7dQIBWM_VX2fIiRJF2d9Ra5w62f9ASGgh1OeZ-1GgsS7ubLtGmfkbwOzKwuEEdQ3m5oiE/s1600-h/jimmy+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349773607094749490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hOJBlsDDNETgeOFZTQmQhZVUGOHuQJ96WOlGts9KoWTPj9CPWfwgj2-USe4wCd6Zus6jfe7dQIBWM_VX2fIiRJF2d9Ra5w62f9ASGgh1OeZ-1GgsS7ubLtGmfkbwOzKwuEEdQ3m5oiE/s320/jimmy+030.JPG" border="0" /></a> A lovely mix of greens <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349775256056265986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6wOGr-oMS2QTlWR_AtUVNF4byFfhmSB-U3tXe695HZMmCZ-A57hMzrEtw6j5UhAr4Ef8rmm-XRvI-D9NBDeUHsqoSSF2_c1NUu4CwcQ7x38GHm32Ozk-McyAi-bx6I71jjNb6RSglfk/s320/jimmy+038.JPG" border="0" />and the shocking colors of the red currants, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349769676172008322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG88nfoIC9-9gtcAd3RGCCwq-qGQ3OOrayZCvEU9ol5SmPJR3LAG_o4CAniYX4CKYaSLnez_mCRe5obqkF1t7MNU7q4IKYCc-05UMvlb0fvwfyUvTSqMbll5Ok2gC15lU5pRSl9adePsM/s320/jimmy+3+208.JPG" border="0" />can't quite hold the attention when the perennial blooms have started to take over. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349769692832858962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgZzGlaB1JtSdRsgPlHKLOtmJGvQuqNPrC120Fs7Fk-bS4TH3EQizA0ESvDuaz1IKI1QnGRNCyr9e-mALkwZ0W8Vp6WlBPnNRnlSSacQnVVITp2EPPEE2WjeoEGR-vE89j4PM1Qmbvbs/s320/288.JPG" border="0" />The poppies and foxgloves harmonized well with the peonies. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349772452117422530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KTSs6h-VZfD8bCDdQHPSXjhTjm7Ico-A1eLDAoAjMafbssOmgYU8Dwx7abBPBGYlSu0HWbUTUJd9WPLdSSLlYqpzU-LuIAgHElzmdyeJsh3yzjgSGs3JRvEml1yXVpRgaTjOqpTpcdY/s320/jimmy+024.JPG" border="0" />The constant hum of the bees helps me realize I am not the only one finding pleasure in the kitchen garden.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmqBNzzKoLyVIKfMLV3CcPeAZYmnrH4LpFenUmJLVElKIS6ApeloeZE-8sLuhRihSn8v-i0J895tEirvzQul58qDmeYpJH_5zWrShQ_IEOjoWPWgmk8aHmQ_kE-mXKF-qSgdbAvlbNvo/s1600-h/330.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349770818424677554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmqBNzzKoLyVIKfMLV3CcPeAZYmnrH4LpFenUmJLVElKIS6ApeloeZE-8sLuhRihSn8v-i0J895tEirvzQul58qDmeYpJH_5zWrShQ_IEOjoWPWgmk8aHmQ_kE-mXKF-qSgdbAvlbNvo/s320/330.JPG" border="0" /></a>It's a pleasure to witness the whole cycle and details of a plants life.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ldPNRWz3UdsgyZA7qj-q2GeCr-usQ_kg4wO8KuMRbDhC8mg1yflauTt6bMKzAy1cCK1NwED0GX2n_Pe90_jr-Ao8c6M8qtjXKt0GOvrOYekxv956lp5_TuYJ_qxYGzLudQXoV2ILAeg/s1600-h/327.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349770814648523842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ldPNRWz3UdsgyZA7qj-q2GeCr-usQ_kg4wO8KuMRbDhC8mg1yflauTt6bMKzAy1cCK1NwED0GX2n_Pe90_jr-Ao8c6M8qtjXKt0GOvrOYekxv956lp5_TuYJ_qxYGzLudQXoV2ILAeg/s320/327.JPG" border="0" /></a><em> Papaver sommniferum</em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349767549292023810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pq3gZbv1JlUrOeUssxWcUfuW__hW712zlNU1dp53lqjwG65bgvl3Iky3NbGE_Ve9LLJcHYCEWHp5yd9k74Rg_x-vS6Y4-5C4fISswguIgCWPX8JfESMuxqy4xpAxABwzaqiIDdt3fGw/s320/jimmy+212.JPG" border="0" /> <div>Or how colors can harmonize or contrast with each other, or how the evening light changes the garden.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxGUuQwD_L9TebHxBCe1Wu-UawGKAq9NDqfl_341Ep4q5DHJlAKeHB69u14yvEHqWeOtpCD9_6UpmICT-AJ94XeRFIyBW8Sbp-rsHRmTuWWnehYuNdWWkgcP1eWKVA4PCv4i3_1yhhOw/s1600-h/293.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349770799246358562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxGUuQwD_L9TebHxBCe1Wu-UawGKAq9NDqfl_341Ep4q5DHJlAKeHB69u14yvEHqWeOtpCD9_6UpmICT-AJ94XeRFIyBW8Sbp-rsHRmTuWWnehYuNdWWkgcP1eWKVA4PCv4i3_1yhhOw/s320/293.JPG" border="0" /></a> The kitchen garden is chaos held within the hedges of <em>Fagus syl</em>vatica.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuK52mw7LTFMRBJNyZEezKEQmB_7HrLvUJOT-LwiC4trGLARJO8mViNsquGZZwZkFUDoYilk80heyCwuTBaOCdx_ukdNHkfhJ_z5-kV-moJJoS51HxMfrlUC6MXvigf2y1o_eNAqd5Ug/s1600-h/290.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349769699789266274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuK52mw7LTFMRBJNyZEezKEQmB_7HrLvUJOT-LwiC4trGLARJO8mViNsquGZZwZkFUDoYilk80heyCwuTBaOCdx_ukdNHkfhJ_z5-kV-moJJoS51HxMfrlUC6MXvigf2y1o_eNAqd5Ug/s320/290.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sweet William....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349770808033968082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UHHfsmVt7EsKmYNWHtNtMtU-nBkoabnWzCH0mTjwCExHs770UTbI383aZdvhscR7V3IjNX9jTm3VBK4sF6jhnJ8BhpwT_WMDgMgOMroP_8H4-1b71dnJ2HoXRiNR9Lm6-NAx_I7utss/s320/294.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Papaver nudicaule, Papaver sommniferum</em> and <em>Papaver rhoeas</em>. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349772439294484818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdAmVS4tmMzJzMkPrfIzawPH6J3D9gDaFfNsRZ7NJQ8UDX8VJFLUHethGUcdxQXV_eWGNnC4E0LVBH4Sd7zSaNyNdKbiIp9YUzmSk30KOkS95F5lZd_5bu-IwZeSyKIiN_ixMvfCzx2s/s320/jimmy+001.JPG" border="0" />While it is always nice to stand back and admire, it is always enjoyable to harvest. A basket stocked full of greens, rhubarb, carrots, radishes, and peony and dianthus flowers to be taken to the house. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349775975294968466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS_GhkH_RvHE9x6bgL5FAnSfjimtmKxW2Iw-u-gDmETWH3vkmT38_CtRBXdaEioSgU1T3GMeDhg7oF_Lk-fv5k6aPviyPdkTsYTTsJJJuxRcyWdMPbMtb9XiLp_H5f3LKfwSlDvOAY1Y/s320/jimmy+252.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><p align="center"> What is sweeter than a bowl of harvested red currants...</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349775964600376418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6hKXFcDx4Ie3VwlingoWrCPcu_SClQlCCoFblRZBmGBw3GyedxOmA5hyphenhyphenoy72Y0yG_eRILHru1wTu1k-2-os1XqVLpv_l4Sqyyj7kYRWteajND6p4vTJkXNgPxz1MLBnxWqJEvicinAo/s320/jimmy+063.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">As a kitchen gardener, it is enjoyable to deal with plants on every level; sowing seeds, taking cuttings, collecting seed, vegetables, annuals, soft fruits, hard fruits, trees, annuals, and perennials. The wave of work that is done there puts a smile on my face each day, to ride the line between order and chaos is a welcome challenge. </p>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-63917033076254419522009-05-09T12:55:00.019+01:002009-05-15T23:18:30.089+01:00The Magic of De Wiersse<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335369849405299474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHGMjoYX1K-CTDqZn1YeHZq6VywPbkcf5CKHzYjb1QBJXT64t6O20gRQnKTIPAfqAyVPqBCBnIgaodBWFpv5bl4-K9v5uee3mgu5a4kyQHj28N4ugeSALZ2y8N1eIRn1hWzJsBEgA5-A/s320/jimmy+128+(2).JPG" border="0" />Upon your first step onto the drive, you know you are in for a treat.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335406573738523586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA-ctI59PZ_4EEWvu_fd5XUJ5IIDNfCjFbBYw5CnNP24aRph9YjHXJPP99EnLNVOwDMtlQeweN3gNLGZ653ASEYNLT0679l7QyLtVpNufNZRmAAp1tRS2wlFvRW0uNqOCAJa_INOGpRs/s320/339.JPG" border="0" /> De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wiersse</span>, is located in the eastern most part of Holland and is both a garden of 38 acres with a landscape park of 74 acres and has a moated manor house that lies at it's heart. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyiaj3C4ELcxKzFuHGMWrsqcBx_fNGWpnz9IilFUvXERysafbdMfxNUk8ELi4GPh1ECtm7ArpU1H2k73rC-2WGHd8ZtsZeItyTyCtJJATR6A6wDt6OeT46K9h469fHahzBJ4V871isg4/s1600-h/305.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335412712399948898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyiaj3C4ELcxKzFuHGMWrsqcBx_fNGWpnz9IilFUvXERysafbdMfxNUk8ELi4GPh1ECtm7ArpU1H2k73rC-2WGHd8ZtsZeItyTyCtJJATR6A6wDt6OeT46K9h469fHahzBJ4V871isg4/s320/305.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of the many viewpoints from the house, this one down the drive.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335401218739907794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNLvpILkDxE40X8vgPUQ1soeLPiPpEzOVrLLhSWNP9YwUoVSz8m3YGdQZMX6fBC6VPawyQdx1-8-YT0CmHhyeUKGVF8F0xHGcdUSjfHFO3fRfQZHHZZlx5DIo_zV_thyduFMqjCA-izI/s320/347.JPG" border="0" />There are many canals and a stream that run throughout the garden. The water has shown me a new way to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">incorporate</span> itself into a garden, since reflections, be they showing forms or color, just add another layer to a garden than we come to expect. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335395766570386434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1Xjpw05eGt_IpnXHL3hDPZfgbd0s7Jin8wXK3shVp8nWTCIx7SoTcpyLpYgRVcb_zcafhMx8avvzf8BiirfCsocHP31vC-ybXzOFpfDv5GuEkGY6Oc8m5pEir9NBa2lx096Qtya2P_M/s320/jimmy+019+(2).JPG" border="0" />By reflecting the color of the emerging leaves of <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Fagus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sylvatica</span></em> '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Purpurea</span>', or the crutch holding up a branch of an old massive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Quercus</span>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335374098056632722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithYZJobKI8X_RVuzRUJLyPdZZgWykmMbw_uxdVNOFwOMLdZXuYecsW1EtzK8iSVOytyh8Uovg4NV14m9L2cCAmqSZjMT7c2DMgbeL9mwzbDIwer2LK0m0q2lzrLYb7iopa_Xyr0mGbI0/s320/jimmy+067.JPG" border="0" />Even the setting sun becomes more contemplative...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335406562682154658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3JNiXzq62LOJR1G8vZL7L7VWqqPLTVuWH3MNIdg6Zw2TaxK7b9FimK_RmC0pYrmA5w8XqeT0feeFSioaxTXm-CYRgqhb-VwTSAboJb38-KIqOssdcZW46X0sJCvGhvUC1kLU4LcjCCc/s320/317.JPG" border="0" />The trees at De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Wiersse</span> have an important history here, especially having been managed since 1678, by the same family.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335387677600113298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbExi5NUdzK8zMHATGVpd4TRkXT7JX6_sxvAIvq8ZtH-8TqBOU197ZeortWMW6nkJDHRbf5qMmz7xWg9vyOO19afHSRQCZDJDX9E2fGeFY-Fzbfm4KbD0w59V7Hx6iqZXIikxzWWSCQ4/s320/jimmy+039+(3).JPG" border="0" />There are many paths to take here, each with it's own view and feeling. Here, <em>Magnolia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">soulangiana</span></em> lights up, showing it's own, between dramatic clipped forms. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335369853751329106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFlealmGjAmwvNHPioKmpDvKuNZQlzmhoErIdsR2wLZKRqzuUVS-ptBo6QotYcHwNkjhrOU8r6FZWDgfUGPQaDfSeZzRp7LAG9YaeT99m_9V7kFxxP79q3RrB1GvFI344EA2GWZ0coz4/s320/jimmy+133+(2).JPG" border="0" /> <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Fritillaria</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">meleagris</span></em> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Fritilla</span><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ria</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">meleagris</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">alba</span></em> form a large patch next to the water, creating a lovely effect with the bridge and <em>Magnolia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">soulangiana</span></em> as the backdrop.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtZXSajnMmYnrHFsGauNRbO8rBYSA1Yb5M2sjuJa1jTqMRnxKZMjqTkLmhYBPU_5Fy-UorUMpgpQ_0ogMBsJuqPUX7SQ014sSNpXmh5IMUaHxuxQOdKPHdvDb2VcjzA3Na41z7nXs-S8/s1600-h/303.JPG"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335398900178385730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHugAbMZ4lsiEx4-2Ge_g5NCvJioy7bpJjkRqb5jtIaaH_kiI8OPMTciuWsYWju73vOrxlwWL1xpbW1K4XKiU_r9g2ZaYfy4iKD2RviO2fpw1DAeGpoNzYwapz6PQDy7Y39e9DEIhubI/s320/jimmy+011.JPG" border="0" /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Back lit</span> by the sun, both the house and blooms radiate, once again reminding how special the place is. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335367238739288002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprTV1fKK4E1CVEdmFWmIxG5yCKbAOqMonZaAy_oOkty3z_gD-I3Pa10YuYTbSXn-QUp1TylK_KDtAlnUm_3DqSA9Ci86TqzQ4ZksHF8J4ouu9qG6c8UDL74c1_PKOKhbhaqSyEs4ozF0/s320/jimmy+136+(2).JPG" border="0" /> One of my partners in crime, Petal, is always up for a stroll to see what new magic has unfolded.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJWYSgYSw4wHc4dPSykWcz70saIqpBkssqoBZbg5AOlLzn834C_EN-9GCMYigwldVKY3S3zpQ0frP-gDR08IqYQbUxEmDHmyoK_u9AgokdSz-BhPLVQvb37sivOBLYIYmZvqC-qstYG0/s1600-h/jimmy+022+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335395774704160354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJWYSgYSw4wHc4dPSykWcz70saIqpBkssqoBZbg5AOlLzn834C_EN-9GCMYigwldVKY3S3zpQ0frP-gDR08IqYQbUxEmDHmyoK_u9AgokdSz-BhPLVQvb37sivOBLYIYmZvqC-qstYG0/s320/jimmy+022+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>Magnolia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">soulangiana</span><br /></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335384968815754962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPJ5OuihqrULrMQJPSWPb6eVVdK1h48_0f_msS5jd4TW4kRG9GUN_2hwtFZcrlfSyTMqWYCJLhZ2oX4dae-6evvDTdEmOLvYhRdWWgqD-CVtwiYUXipo6zu851PxQZ03USr2-iuvuihM/s320/jimmy+058+(3).JPG" border="0" /> The view down to the Fountain Garden is sight to savor, especially in the evenings with the light of the setting sun reflecting off the trunks of <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Fagus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">sylvatica</span></em>.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnJMrBTZAgXE-NLkq9rSblHjzv7XUY6ng_1YqtqHdlSD3JOiTVC8HTXXHaN1a0JS1mX2xmyp6Oli312gEJAKbtWFfEoq1yQcLs96-OZsZdoaL4dCxdU4jb-emSEm6R3Y-DY1pz3NSPD4/s1600-h/jimmy+035+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391084101140930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnJMrBTZAgXE-NLkq9rSblHjzv7XUY6ng_1YqtqHdlSD3JOiTVC8HTXXHaN1a0JS1mX2xmyp6Oli312gEJAKbtWFfEoq1yQcLs96-OZsZdoaL4dCxdU4jb-emSEm6R3Y-DY1pz3NSPD4/s320/jimmy+035+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>Narcissus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">triandrus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">albus</span>, </em>just one of the many jewels that get to call this place home.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHIDLg70dxsWkc4Qo4x5jJJC2kkGrV5YPxz6A5BKR4lfN4htwVRttuuc1_FLxlqWRGtWVGtDQEUNu0xmJ-J5hzcv6sMqIewl80i0sBY1p6blvCe55T3zc7xXwbwk6IOzJLhptQNIUSME/s1600-h/jimmy+030+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391086367263138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHIDLg70dxsWkc4Qo4x5jJJC2kkGrV5YPxz6A5BKR4lfN4htwVRttuuc1_FLxlqWRGtWVGtDQEUNu0xmJ-J5hzcv6sMqIewl80i0sBY1p6blvCe55T3zc7xXwbwk6IOzJLhptQNIUSME/s320/jimmy+030+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> Heading into the wild garden, one can, once again, appreciate the reflections that reveal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">themselves</span> in the large lake.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_a8ZcLXE0e3OIfvubm0fEkSV4bvSioZ4a6Np2aasTKBRZurXHJCnBdH0a2VX-29IfMhQ-CV80rhxRdNb0uWuAqLO4GrAHVvD5a5M2jmaipQdqW_Bhb7t5L9wH4uyLVtJ5QRoCmIQDrU/s1600-h/jimmy+029+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391077718991458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_a8ZcLXE0e3OIfvubm0fEkSV4bvSioZ4a6Np2aasTKBRZurXHJCnBdH0a2VX-29IfMhQ-CV80rhxRdNb0uWuAqLO4GrAHVvD5a5M2jmaipQdqW_Bhb7t5L9wH4uyLVtJ5QRoCmIQDrU/s320/jimmy+029+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BHJN4HCmLjAlUSMjrVuIYXwF-2eyuQgw_vXoZAL2qJqA9rHzo4L8eL1CbOl2TXluGgGbqH9oSxKv0BEaKhto-mdlCLWsqroiV3tA0yxDv16l3Pzwy5EFW18owZwmsi4rQZUcc6Vbsn0/s1600-h/jimmy+069+(3).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335374105171767970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BHJN4HCmLjAlUSMjrVuIYXwF-2eyuQgw_vXoZAL2qJqA9rHzo4L8eL1CbOl2TXluGgGbqH9oSxKv0BEaKhto-mdlCLWsqroiV3tA0yxDv16l3Pzwy5EFW18owZwmsi4rQZUcc6Vbsn0/s320/jimmy+069+(3).JPG" border="0" /></a>The wild garden then opens up with <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Betula</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">pendula</span>, B. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">pendula</span></em> '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Tristis</span>', and <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Betula</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">pubescens</span></em>, with a carpet of Narcissus and <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Erythronium</span> dens-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">canis</span></em> 'Pagoda' lighting up the woodland floor. <br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkRgJq2wrlymBtraEqoBYBpvtIKa5rou0LvIYwYVpMfWZWtTPDuVQiT2yTHgZUMcSsdvj0TYaavwzc07HYb-RZ9AYe68igWKmJ_NkYqyO5hxMYp6r5UEdjP9otie3INOjo2LAeegVRZA/s1600-h/jimmy+075+(3).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335369841899109618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkRgJq2wrlymBtraEqoBYBpvtIKa5rou0LvIYwYVpMfWZWtTPDuVQiT2yTHgZUMcSsdvj0TYaavwzc07HYb-RZ9AYe68igWKmJ_NkYqyO5hxMYp6r5UEdjP9otie3INOjo2LAeegVRZA/s320/jimmy+075+(3).JPG" border="0" /></a>To see a garden without walls is incredible, and witnessing the small details that this holds is a pleasure unto itself.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w2PXmbIs-yqB3DCcKQtr8hecjgOynv5x8kOmrCbRi41h0RUfsE6RpMp8xV_BbHHgmpBtGNfjzvyvSEwVGdgvCwSCfinPfyKEws42TaN0rga0je9ZUCPz-KMKxlHalRVfv-bZpl0188g/s1600-h/jimmy+160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335367257346589730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w2PXmbIs-yqB3DCcKQtr8hecjgOynv5x8kOmrCbRi41h0RUfsE6RpMp8xV_BbHHgmpBtGNfjzvyvSEwVGdgvCwSCfinPfyKEws42TaN0rga0je9ZUCPz-KMKxlHalRVfv-bZpl0188g/s320/jimmy+160.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Fagus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">sylvatica</span>, </em>and all 95 meters of it's<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlp3W5WzDfu8gB6yYYyynW91nTDm529sQ71s5ShoyYkJTpal1nVz8bfufkeMdmQ4GxDBfk73lvkXbejiWjdjJJ8qgM7N_c5qb4_YNJ1Rt-HY6YcP12EEzmWpcftjHRblOMSdaltXB88w/s1600-h/jimmy+157+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335367250799852162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlp3W5WzDfu8gB6yYYyynW91nTDm529sQ71s5ShoyYkJTpal1nVz8bfufkeMdmQ4GxDBfk73lvkXbejiWjdjJJ8qgM7N_c5qb4_YNJ1Rt-HY6YcP12EEzmWpcftjHRblOMSdaltXB88w/s320/jimmy+157+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> serpentine tunnel. A smile is always necessary while walking through here, amazed at the incredible horticultural skills displayed, not only inviting you to look, but to engage in the marvel that it is. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391070684550178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNizPha6WzuZ9TOlP6FmkqRa_c8cIbKVJSctxl42x9S6gpN9Z-LiMV7H3vf13k2mdcm9fb4cLty3JoWGhxw5JoKi2Sh6Mvs5rKpAcL7sjzmJxaQS36R8HJDbVo551RMNp_L-xYrZ6rAg/s320/jimmy+027+(3).JPG" border="0" />The sunk garden is a place to lose track of time, whether it is due to looking at the combinations of blooms displayed,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335374093301990338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR01w1xmSkqASf8ohIOKUGfXSwS0cjC6pN8cR327gxIEda0GYpZiCC4qm1_yEAazg8DtimMPEdx9xRP_evO3Ra07PfAOuW7VRkz8evePeSrMgF2FeegYd9RoeI4CH7hJ6rNKcKII65uc/s320/jimmy+067+(2).JPG" border="0" />the forms and structures of the garden, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335380732674982834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eWkMyZFPg2OVpxKqhFRqOZD9iesSnuMSxIHi4Fg_YF-n2A-Pb0fQ6mq6ARgiwFnj2VunKJmOXUQ7Qdp8BO14OwVJoaxaVi9jEkjvaY_Izn-7ZE-sWAx-Dd0qsXU1Ep5wmMNsu9xqTxI/s320/jimmy+063+(2).JPG" border="0" />or the view , over one of the moats, towards the wild garden, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335374104053800818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzyYrBLTC4S-Cwbrss2Id-oLpvnaD-SGR7LnzVgcwkJEtaQqELoL_5n4GhjPRN2QHhoL5UTccX9iY0bSwdP3mOx8Tq-7WJumQZjleCk0dgwoClmujYD_MSiD3CNKiyLdOJSaRh33F4cg/s320/jimmy+068+(2).JPG" border="0" />and even the form of the clipped hedges. The beauty envelopes you, never giving you a chance to catch your breathe.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391066271474562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAfKLMvFzmuY0k0VyQVxH7ULX3ClVRPTR3udEIoYNmS1QCKwRnjxZ2gxomPUT5zHVxwoJA3qAFvV7UHzani2yK0TUzHJCY4aVj82RDwWtcAtz-S3b0nQMqczNzOHNaUft_RQqGi1Ml8Y/s320/jimmy+024+(2).JPG" border="0" />And in the rose garden, too, that is what we want from a garden, to be transported by it's history, it's skill, it's beauty, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335401224322141170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIhDSQn6e5oFC0hg8TOH8SumAMO-ah8gMM797m2uZOmWrClbWSA5-2p3tIApVoAwXl0LC_q6rHUYEHXYrwZbXuyJ43NMKjEJXloaRrC2-dVDjLsJ9hK9L5OygIgpMDXtiZFlo6l3p1pM/s320/jimmy+005+(2).JPG" border="0" />and the moods that it helps to cast over us. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335401222873725058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRRIqM089Uxxw8rjYk5caStGIe-S1JnO1H30fRJ-I96KA3N7gYBZLq-eWtYh6zzOtUdu53HnD9Jsuc-eT2HOMQp_wyO-gqS876D4XBUZtzEWSUZiffKjTTkK0O6iggzfQ-9tMLx0-52M/s320/jimmy+004+(3).JPG" border="0" /> It is easy to be transported into a garden so rich in the feelings that we crave.<br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335369846355072946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2O-e5tqHiPGa17KDaoQO4mLBSIuvwzBn4MkNjVB6iFt3A7F1MFiZGU6UTSWCRXLSPYFaWjpjcy5lEqx0Jmy48QJwreSUBC3ed_OunmMpZ2xMqVcIzuDtAohjhSPqjgOQ42XGLfC7mCbI/s320/jimmy+085.JPG" border="0" /> The beauty,<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335398898738216178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNIAh1ptsaOnkbVH7rR8xFLEBVW-ZwpltVuXU2sfBJ5789rVEeKB8xZ2ojMsQOZlGOCF6UrPxZ_hkWwoEMj0_Awv7uc_Fnx6d3ZMWuX2awDkzJ2Mrv5-tcvwTKcljbLuRy8QkT9KVdh8/s320/jimmy+009+(2).JPG" border="0" />the mystery, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335398894939452722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHdfgQRZOz6i8iAEQ_rUSrtWDiH6CnZqYGHYUefHXjAl0ESz6nFSJUirW-d1E0-5mjk_0S_S2tVSUX6JRDw9bAjAyRn2_TcaUZAgIs9sSP7K4IsRdzcIy5r9Cgh2QMhvzhaaJuuew0Q/s320/jimmy+008+(2).JPG" border="0" />and the feeling of being transported to a far away place. I am truly happy to be here, seeing and learning all that I am. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335374112770924898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhShWARqHT0iWHlBT3RnBPHzFzhU24Pzo7iPGt8ONZPkY8vYhasQjqEMeI_UkAosQPnwm_MMZE-AAYQNhz9nwAOUG5dNXuR4GwoJiMKh-1Hj0N3Mb-QULlnine8SAhgEhz2mOs5KVNRw/s320/jimmy+074+(2).JPG" border="0" />To walk around each day, seeing the quick details that one would normally miss, is such a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">privilege</span>. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335406554028048018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUlo7_ISKix3OJYHpPDD6pCfNA-73MfWHnfYWX-CwkscMCnsP3gMVeCxnIjTA64fXHL6h8HHLo-DLe-kmEuE2KwfcocZE-4KJlVob3aR5xtiif3tYGGkv7TLEqha6Qug1wBgvyErSBYo/s320/307.JPG" border="0" /> Each day, my first view is of the west lawn, looking through more clipped forms, over more water, into the fields beyond. It is always a different sight, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">ever changing</span>,<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u9x2V0V3NMjZ4M7i3sfgKWEfpkxdxKMRWtahffBVp1vd1ZBfDQ9ChNdTwrkRT1NEMk_4G013UPLYH0xJ1DV8q-P_gd8cRdqBNA0nswJbJd7L5ZpYOPKRp6UB3apbUtHQyAjUgkZmhqs/s1600-h/jimmy+168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334991936418211202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u9x2V0V3NMjZ4M7i3sfgKWEfpkxdxKMRWtahffBVp1vd1ZBfDQ9ChNdTwrkRT1NEMk_4G013UPLYH0xJ1DV8q-P_gd8cRdqBNA0nswJbJd7L5ZpYOPKRp6UB3apbUtHQyAjUgkZmhqs/s320/jimmy+168.JPG" border="0" /></a>with frost, <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335367244047656562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sh7mJ12vrsqIOK2l-wFTUpc9p59H4r5xyFhk-594qrLmStXmJ7E4jOo7kHP_1ptoCBRAQcdn1Hwiiz4qjRgbipwdpRZJENUYN5x0Z2U8q3PCCtryLti-M_eZeJ2bClLVeCZ2mlih0G8/s320/jimmy+139+(3).JPG" border="0" /> with the blooms of the cuckoo flower, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Cardamine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">pratensis</span></em>,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97LpVXO2S5dGuZatDLQ5f7ykqD1opJnOTPeQtMQApW2TE3MNjOr1Z-6Ol9N0IPylAJj81RY9ZQwGqBUi1S_scgchI9OjRjkMvuXjjv22VgxMfWCH24dTAN92Wtiu-Lp2TGrvBUFB1gAs/s1600-h/jimmy+172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334991929745050274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97LpVXO2S5dGuZatDLQ5f7ykqD1opJnOTPeQtMQApW2TE3MNjOr1Z-6Ol9N0IPylAJj81RY9ZQwGqBUi1S_scgchI9OjRjkMvuXjjv22VgxMfWCH24dTAN92Wtiu-Lp2TGrvBUFB1gAs/s320/jimmy+172.JPG" border="0" /></a> morning fog, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335367253509837570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1gR74paL9_mz-3o7HtgvG15oCAlWNvAZJUPTKDCvh-He9aTGNHdbgis1IgNv4sEeNqHE426WLEfAxemJVaL_5Yi22TNlkuZbbGibaILc_DFtfMwA1rj8G99T_s3OiwaIRpLSJsp3pCU/s320/jimmy+160+(2).JPG" border="0" /> and even chickens,<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFQftxzgUCmkq2zXzib1-iAUWvfSZ5UoStN8wtmkCy-Oss5i87AVrkxy8NFSAy2rvl8kcfbe9U-TgoH_fkf2s6WSlIs83a1gGjs3ThnHaudK63IBhxCAW4JY5mWIeODuGwljUoUK7IWY/s1600-h/jimmy+200.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334991918791732018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFQftxzgUCmkq2zXzib1-iAUWvfSZ5UoStN8wtmkCy-Oss5i87AVrkxy8NFSAy2rvl8kcfbe9U-TgoH_fkf2s6WSlIs83a1gGjs3ThnHaudK63IBhxCAW4JY5mWIeODuGwljUoUK7IWY/s320/jimmy+200.JPG" border="0" /></a> I am learning a new way to see things, how the environment itself can add another ingredient to the garden. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335406568877342530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLgVdyRffjakiY2zsNhG9Mtv9wef2o89xvf1rRnczM27hzjXaLoTxN9VOpnB6yGATQv1nUMOTM4DzheoPHAJXPgKf8Hv-4p90Cla2B5un3at0hUjrPGrgbG8reCdJClLDlvQu7XtaODQ/s320/332.JPG" border="0" />It has only been a month, but I have already realized the spirit of the place, and how important that can be.... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335401227645521378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4UE03UhMDHU1_gsHbDtp7_odevciqczG8Jy0FGeRb903HOQ6eNpmnsheCGIcuY0Se8_amnbqrSfNcCbspp9FG9Xl3b3lM73el7ziZwAvIZYu_y9pibGVELXcVfjRR0dUNsSnc6ynKNs/s320/jimmy+006+(2).JPG" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><p align="center">Welcome to the beauty that is De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Wiersse</span>...</p>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-58962344041131823652009-04-12T16:10:00.013+01:002009-04-18T07:04:45.721+01:00Happiness in Holland<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3j3eE8AbqcVLAG7hT8srhMyzBljGpBRBBGk1DoIZQbp22XoT62KewHTNc55hGB3nNtTknCjqf4CCgIsfxQra5WsYK3_Ec7xA5GVmA9wdP-mnodJALni0yrRNv0brxHoXxeGC8qrJNy0/s1600-h/253.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325357329357244466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3j3eE8AbqcVLAG7hT8srhMyzBljGpBRBBGk1DoIZQbp22XoT62KewHTNc55hGB3nNtTknCjqf4CCgIsfxQra5WsYK3_Ec7xA5GVmA9wdP-mnodJALni0yrRNv0brxHoXxeGC8qrJNy0/s320/253.JPG" border="0" /></a> Yes, yes, Holland, I know, I have been greedy and didn't want to share you. It's springtime though and I have fallen in love with you. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324996478186651682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLqB8-N5nvFLojXy1Sow5WSoU87nw9BskQs-fkEN8dehLEg9XiH23a9_K6YoCbXvjgrCn5AOmBl8uWfbjeanBYWVdzZHN-YMN45Tcn9aLgdM97akkeW4ZBcpAHZ9g4j2gGupsmJi57Us/s320/249.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS7HmcYQN1HvrtKMvW3q71Elc5SjnSl2biLLiKLQwBnT8wBrHY697QmR9au78qAtWenC-ER2UC6En9X9-Js4DORnrG_3czVIO7_XqxT6tKFVKbqhmnesybCOaPd5jNt5p7XNuDFbnbto/s1600-h/jimmy+022.JPG"></a>Amsterdam is one of those cities where one can easily get lost, and walk aimlessly for hours just looking at how beautiful it is.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356151095411970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcRoUU73vFcFNLZy58Rpa7RikgJlCDF_lZ5vbUD90H-ihgSVKVBU2k6UXuyKCyPNw3sKfzV6xgtFVVWiGaUtXwOQHcZqusv0kIwVA5mHczOSDbS8uQ3P6bj-2hGPP1Tv47y_F6CgK3lM/s320/jimmy+009.JPG" border="0" /> The canals are everywhere and so are the wonderful bridges, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324996468191811618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCqr4ipaGg27nN4ktXZ12nUAwe2hrYhT5ZvRcrVU02woEqoc6Qc-sCQrdN4Xk3pwD5jZxknNi1nz6xm6GQkVRSFbtzh_CWRzKmkqy-65nGwVR3rDfcxvN8mEMDvhemYlHwoZOvb6Hae0/s320/247.JPG" border="0" />all packed tightly together with tiny little buildings.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324996467275687138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UOAQtUqPfBKHYO2i1ni1obMX0UyGsLaY6jY01W9R3jCBQHFkGWOSz0Jhm7PqblqCrU6uej2Wm540M4aOBI1WuWOpdfvpkm0EgIfjisSIhZjEEM4yUtLPu0asJJbUKGxyRaHG62ldbAo/s320/245.JPG" border="0" />With all of the quirky tiny details that seems to make each building unique.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324999196103257890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRSMpUcWrYZBOp01UNIvrMv3ULsG5wwpp8YhyphenhyphenTWR9Oogql0tbR_lu9m0kWXMwIrU_6Spk4mTkR5RlZyaWCd8t4gokGr2fZ4kjJEQ9Z0BA2aGE3hyphenhyphenczpt9iZ6lFsYk2vnqEwNe9GYLZq0/s320/jimmy+025.JPG" border="0" />People even live on the canals in houseboats, with tiny little gardens too!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325363469169517714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTe4H7jzeWIZ-fxU383i1mrzWJpbaajdb5Q6O9yJRT8FGeRJEkwFbGwdeuhXYek9WG6TObegy_-gT2Pz2QrhFeM1CttIvZxjxTUyRLOfo9d0Z58Qwvpd9sEkhyphenhyphenX7hp_M6T8u_XuMH1zs/s320/jimmy+014+(2).JPG" border="0" />It is obvious to see how much the people love their plants. These arrangements were found at one of the flower markets held alongside one of the canals.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324999200987856674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgj14fpsS_oDA4EUy804jl9P0aw9uFGGtG7be4bxUHt2Qux1dRwtR__p13eQs1mMuz7bfpngMLtHMIzUFoBYMXRxsMtnbCTHaDN1be7xti2I0xxUK7hIbBqDLrKDIDY6htvaw0vlTlQk/s320/jimmy+024.JPG" border="0" />Here is an arrangement outside the front of a shop.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356145735570146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyHy53_ly-ymSOkFoNRvirLHUNSHs2n2sekMxKF4pbUMFWlBBrP9jJQSwvlPE1JtRpU-tjlCeYSgunxuE6_7YEl2G3fRG2rWDwV6x6oDlA8HI5let5C4UBMN_lRzZsHfJjN9c82Rj7F4/s320/jimmy+017.JPG" border="0" /> And the streetart did not disappoint me either.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-vhdKyJTwj0twAEP7vmmMzsNzgv7VtB_CxMj5H81awaVDUyXvTp5JpXTTHmkBh84VqJkhQ7RHGipl_jIEtgxUmpPIbwZU0bi4by48JQzoYXLFUyuIPtzjY-cHPuCEuQW9TL9Ywjg3Vk/s1600-h/jimmy+148.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356169012886978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-vhdKyJTwj0twAEP7vmmMzsNzgv7VtB_CxMj5H81awaVDUyXvTp5JpXTTHmkBh84VqJkhQ7RHGipl_jIEtgxUmpPIbwZU0bi4by48JQzoYXLFUyuIPtzjY-cHPuCEuQW9TL9Ywjg3Vk/s320/jimmy+148.JPG" border="0" /></a> And then it was on to the countryside, with your picturesque allees of<br /><br /><em>Fagus sylvatica,</em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTNdQoYkkgVwKZosF48A4LEf9IksoMB63_tpq916dubFqqQcVCLCyoWQTBZ6cFlj3WpgYurKJi3nvWuloGSMYrvQ3uZGGHzqetmpCh_uoYIxCbaslAAifjd72W3AuZCa6icycSWRo_xc/s1600-h/jimmy+151.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356165559130034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTNdQoYkkgVwKZosF48A4LEf9IksoMB63_tpq916dubFqqQcVCLCyoWQTBZ6cFlj3WpgYurKJi3nvWuloGSMYrvQ3uZGGHzqetmpCh_uoYIxCbaslAAifjd72W3AuZCa6icycSWRo_xc/s320/jimmy+151.JPG" border="0" /></a> and more of the canals lined with carpets of emerald green moss.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16blON0kq4Aikg2GdhkdZfW-LO35HKBzYvYVHFET6MDtgbPvJuLfGbhfsORpErBD96mn62bu-Td_1tJNpXmcBxbvlU9lJBxdXD-xCHIj6huam3bdKsSi5R2xU8jJCj9hsnxjxOaUHJUw/s1600-h/jimmy+188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356154516962786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16blON0kq4Aikg2GdhkdZfW-LO35HKBzYvYVHFET6MDtgbPvJuLfGbhfsORpErBD96mn62bu-Td_1tJNpXmcBxbvlU9lJBxdXD-xCHIj6huam3bdKsSi5R2xU8jJCj9hsnxjxOaUHJUw/s320/jimmy+188.JPG" border="0" /></a> I could just ride my bike forever through these country backroads.<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDfr9sSQQ6UetlTafmMuvIVvwMcDn-gbZPWK0QcJK3s_2ZmQf_MekEJbDS_hZisvDA4QeJgI30ziaxBP99hEJMoScdoyyMsJYj6ieV9qJnj3PERerpBt-iDUsu-1_s8Qe5VM9gRn2XnM/s1600-h/jimmy+192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324999214213244386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDfr9sSQQ6UetlTafmMuvIVvwMcDn-gbZPWK0QcJK3s_2ZmQf_MekEJbDS_hZisvDA4QeJgI30ziaxBP99hEJMoScdoyyMsJYj6ieV9qJnj3PERerpBt-iDUsu-1_s8Qe5VM9gRn2XnM/s320/jimmy+192.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of the windmills is right in my local town Ruurlo, where I am living...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324996476075498834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DFisrJwttpfT0RacXNOBCjaavnziypaWHcibDGx1NUQi69aC10y5y35NXINwixlkp4n0tE3Eg0N-JSlIj7HoEwHgZuprVzbWyymDjymN5v2mFB1iHYB2xC6B7HAxbhR8-wq6AzhoDMQ/s320/255.JPG" border="0" /> And speaking of living, I could be happy here in this tiny and simple 3 colored house, which I also saw in town,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE-QI2qNqYm6il5Z9Gl3uTkUhkAU1cjBu-04wEb0sEiFDwm9cRVdUqjX37HVfgDvLyoxBnPuxrk6INQ-Sb0ka3p4xvR323doX3H5CLdLLavKwLEcvRzF97YLbU3m0azh_fCdVaVt_etk/s1600-h/jimmy+223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324999210166788610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE-QI2qNqYm6il5Z9Gl3uTkUhkAU1cjBu-04wEb0sEiFDwm9cRVdUqjX37HVfgDvLyoxBnPuxrk6INQ-Sb0ka3p4xvR323doX3H5CLdLLavKwLEcvRzF97YLbU3m0azh_fCdVaVt_etk/s320/jimmy+223.JPG" border="0" /></a> or this cottage with its dream-like surroundings.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGh2c8M4mGI-nKsPShjc_rZrrp4-7qM3Ss0uR5JItV6Wj32dPDQWA3VnBb7AePCISyr7N3n2FejwoUxFV-pZf8uF_ea66KNUSMc8W-DJg8y02YTwDXFE-v5M1knqLZFU-7iLmK_EPofQ/s1600-h/jimmy+216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324999204759717842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGh2c8M4mGI-nKsPShjc_rZrrp4-7qM3Ss0uR5JItV6Wj32dPDQWA3VnBb7AePCISyr7N3n2FejwoUxFV-pZf8uF_ea66KNUSMc8W-DJg8y02YTwDXFE-v5M1knqLZFU-7iLmK_EPofQ/s320/jimmy+216.JPG" border="0" /></a> The countryside is full of treasures and sights, like mature trees, firewood, and saplings- thats 3 generations of trees.<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViJA-Wb5HCeWN3i2PpHRVnrZGgpqGCCg4PKHWeXpOk-Fvr3x_jfFt1iVRpxkSoFMuFWWIzxexRn5GlKzp3MFOxlZjvY_6ibUOQLXMkw8DjWOw5-5yziqEy7lteLauZGXWOFJFB36ydQQ/s1600-h/jimmy+217.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324996481848221794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViJA-Wb5HCeWN3i2PpHRVnrZGgpqGCCg4PKHWeXpOk-Fvr3x_jfFt1iVRpxkSoFMuFWWIzxexRn5GlKzp3MFOxlZjvY_6ibUOQLXMkw8DjWOw5-5yziqEy7lteLauZGXWOFJFB36ydQQ/s320/jimmy+217.JPG" border="0" /></a> Spring is now here in full force, and it is incredible. But I am going to be greedy a little bit longer and keep De Wiersse to myself, if just for a few more days........Happy Spring. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-73972288476221288502009-03-28T21:31:00.021+00:002009-04-05T09:39:06.021+01:00Barcelona days and night<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320558693804541330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2EjLHSawpsZzsA5NlQRoJK_vSv2bphXvtQ3XmxWIsHnDJGl7qH7B8lWQw5AgdpAuVsXHzQiyupA0_DD7PFYSk4i9QqjTd_t4JtbslddOWN30zBlI_BtO5oKDmkpBUPbBREDYw-1d0-c/s320/118.JPG" border="0" />Oh Spain, it's so good to be back in your arms, lost in your city of Barcelona without a purpose, except to absorb all of your beauty and sophistication. Your city wraps itself around me and I get disoriented by your flair. This love affair needs to stop......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpDtcSahik44DVS7qP57AfJwSwhrP7tenTIX1w7rIlpYHXqX0QaDZ1s7uOcW20qeA5KkQDU_mIc6nS9kayYiCofag9IjMHv6rFOfaPeLAVo5gVXwA0a7ZV3wWBsYrSoVC-HiMmg1FQgQ/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320567279465209234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpDtcSahik44DVS7qP57AfJwSwhrP7tenTIX1w7rIlpYHXqX0QaDZ1s7uOcW20qeA5KkQDU_mIc6nS9kayYiCofag9IjMHv6rFOfaPeLAVo5gVXwA0a7ZV3wWBsYrSoVC-HiMmg1FQgQ/s320/001.JPG" border="0" /></a> Your filled with your rich history<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSeFy2pb-8y40Mv8MEcK5M1FWssiokJp0KCWVOFD9srMfKdnEsFDM3Gq0B0SNhnEnWNhunDim0_ug6850CmQsUCvwUqH-O-tLuganzIAvspPs3kQPL-T-a9G0fYBg7NTmZTImvluh14o/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320567278207336066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSeFy2pb-8y40Mv8MEcK5M1FWssiokJp0KCWVOFD9srMfKdnEsFDM3Gq0B0SNhnEnWNhunDim0_ug6850CmQsUCvwUqH-O-tLuganzIAvspPs3kQPL-T-a9G0fYBg7NTmZTImvluh14o/s320/002.JPG" border="0" /></a> and welcomed me with brick rainbows with your mountains <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">smiling</span> from beneath...<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqJcv4600vTpkUCkBEMzBJjZVtLlfHv4r7AcyaZW45Wg_heJAaSIK651iHyDiSGof3NjdbGVixsPGnKDkXQademfJKvpMai93FHhtn1SBBglSlp1xbT7yVY5Sc6KXXwP40E9R7yn4piA/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320566625988753170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqJcv4600vTpkUCkBEMzBJjZVtLlfHv4r7AcyaZW45Wg_heJAaSIK651iHyDiSGof3NjdbGVixsPGnKDkXQademfJKvpMai93FHhtn1SBBglSlp1xbT7yVY5Sc6KXXwP40E9R7yn4piA/s320/022.JPG" border="0" /></a> I was lost at first, in memories of times past, and didn't know which way to go, until you pointed me in new directions<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320566631061674194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANbgDSO4U2qQL3GzzGLW57ZL2ZtTKVKS7ni9uTjwW28YR6XCvoTxJroALx_nIYGtwpwSUsXVaPBvukzGkG-kknHuMIEWpWqalJTj3zS1PWOXJ6j-zau3Pc7WFu2Jwp6KWX7Qdr3AS0uM/s320/023.JPG" border="0" />and serenaded me with your secrets of the night.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320566635381733810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-BD2wghaP4vuWf1abRvPQ_Ded_5kYy_MJtEuUEznGoEPFXLnObgUVPrtZ9lvfS0W3jBt9593OvNY9WTdBPPHUnZ_PR68-ymEy7Opr5v5LrxenLClGudzGh0Did7FBApsjCT1LIoGzHI/s320/025.JPG" border="0" />From the secrets that you hold in your plazas<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320564348602668050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-SPXdEZ8hQk0-YVwPAeb5dnBZJ6I84HJC1JJ1QP03ObMr7d1N8oML4GECKU8Tx91trxEIma5VqMmKsxwv-6UKZOQJYRK3oLRgp-SSCYrnilOAWmbomkSPtQdJ6tHvXHjazFQptX_d9M/s320/036.JPG" border="0" />to mysterious sights. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320564341959671154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEgbgYBmeBUoD6fogM5KugUvTONMFJh3DVwHXV_Vw1K7K0J8gOHxWbza6bqqLae6elhrwweSLNstaxfuClqcJTfnfcKsnVzoqmueYu73RmIGpDtUDQUorgqZMPWlMbQ98CzDFgPJFKVQ/s320/035.JPG" border="0" />You lit my smile up and in turn you showed me new ways to see things..<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318359964433487650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSLWLbzsSggmFOT6Yf9dfdR7gF9RRlV9AOOetEWiWeUYzl2Q5oRM3sW1gGozUuMkJPBj2DiP7whJtFc9V2XvIqZvmyoO7Eip-Bssnyntk5uqyqDci3R8zhvRSeMK7VktNrRVdE89E1Yc/s320/233.JPG" border="0" />Like balconies lit from below<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320564332948726194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIT7KDOxsut7acKLryh2rmHJPn3dsoqsoZzQ4SYbS_V-WSmHBEOR68GKmkcYi4VwV9wzTc_nDqAEmgQ1OMV42l86j-BVokb5HpzeRXV3Rv9k23kDfm2Sma6lQ26r_kyRuqTzDtUVJqZQ/s320/033.JPG" border="0" />or presented me with this treasure created by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gaudi</span>.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562670997342354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6I1mv8NyQ-_ik01o2itxaLAFeYQXWvPWr4vWHFll94ffOoPOyGU55ptoPjMEzEoU1EeT25U57ReGvDmAXXUcZmVW3jedA7YRh8wI7YwZGXEMn4GmB71MQ2zpphtOWXbqfwMDJh-upVs/s320/050.JPG" border="0" /> And then you showed me your version of Mediterranean gardens, while sheltering me from your hot sun<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320558680202103570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8tn0tsx3_bdH8PHsvjk_THcg_PH0dpX-zvqQlMRVcgV7SFCyYRTqAw0LwZLJ6UQG1XXf0uCsRbSrmi7CqF6x8oND-oevyzsFnpsI78BanwJxBlXLa2rOAMtJGHpPoG6pN9I-ap4eFuQ/s320/110.JPG" border="0" />I took in the details.....But these were only the appetizer to my meal.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320558674741152450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKdhNVxWc_5EpsqeJU-Mb7e3t6tE4xJxkbK7pnTA5jP5nZXy61Deop1ZY4PxHNf7RKrRA3ZGJNI7gd5xMUkgiEwkouRvH7hyBU8kuCM7dMuB_tsyVvqM-Bpyj-rjo88NxPZvv8LhesWw/s320/107.JPG" border="0" />The Barcelona Botanic Garden was the main course and I was in awe..<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeTtJLGsFKwweYIhF24kcT4-spUYLgnTQlKwM0coJtZbMxSMaMw5tUBRY26Rytn0hJfvfesOx3w8IYzlDvuXDkhfxL2mY4PoxPfzsCyTqNnh7UCWEULfMrx4KnmUNzGWLXfaHeOoAOlM/s1600-h/075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562697884314914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeTtJLGsFKwweYIhF24kcT4-spUYLgnTQlKwM0coJtZbMxSMaMw5tUBRY26Rytn0hJfvfesOx3w8IYzlDvuXDkhfxL2mY4PoxPfzsCyTqNnh7UCWEULfMrx4KnmUNzGWLXfaHeOoAOlM/s320/075.JPG" border="0" /></a> Teaching me the bizarre beauty of <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Xanthorrhoea</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">glauca</span><br /></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mN7MDRu6rqtMl9arDr8phojvW5EPxZEJw7RaMge2FnLtmAMP3k6ydakWy3rEGDMknlwqOAuQnFEr4FO7W6P7bQ6lHYpKur3UyMcqUHl1P8qRWa4WMZKA7G_o20tEEoZd2aP4EO_HylA/s1600-h/073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562699575763442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mN7MDRu6rqtMl9arDr8phojvW5EPxZEJw7RaMge2FnLtmAMP3k6ydakWy3rEGDMknlwqOAuQnFEr4FO7W6P7bQ6lHYpKur3UyMcqUHl1P8qRWa4WMZKA7G_o20tEEoZd2aP4EO_HylA/s320/073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />or this arrangement with the intense orange blooms of</div><br /><div><em>Aloe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ferox</span>,</em><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtFY3_3t0FNIQ5iJ2NcYmaAUP-3DqInl4wrL27lM75rpOCE_hptcfD3vtfOvJmazZ8edR6_5lk6bDT0iIMD4-2I7cNju1dpvfz5AbIyXyLWoxQHXaPe_SYXgCrWaBLXGlqZRdjYlytPU/s1600-h/066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562680002824978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtFY3_3t0FNIQ5iJ2NcYmaAUP-3DqInl4wrL27lM75rpOCE_hptcfD3vtfOvJmazZ8edR6_5lk6bDT0iIMD4-2I7cNju1dpvfz5AbIyXyLWoxQHXaPe_SYXgCrWaBLXGlqZRdjYlytPU/s320/066.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">yellow pom</span> poms of an Acacia.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLAu1OSAt_TtoqsODiJsAeIFEbUXqKNA1ZIo33f00CGk_hFojCh4Uk3wnFB6OLztiGbnpX76SABiJ-43XUNTwyd7pwGS4_zaWQt77r7d6VUNs6OMqgL35yAfNTX2RWpsg6XS1ASfIc0I/s1600-h/094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320560394029113858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLAu1OSAt_TtoqsODiJsAeIFEbUXqKNA1ZIo33f00CGk_hFojCh4Uk3wnFB6OLztiGbnpX76SABiJ-43XUNTwyd7pwGS4_zaWQt77r7d6VUNs6OMqgL35yAfNTX2RWpsg6XS1ASfIc0I/s320/094.JPG" border="0" /></a> The <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ceanothus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">arborescens</span></em> hugged the city<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320560376414792290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaOnAUeUtvY8BVl5FN0pa81brTzFT7Pc5yi7jc3Cr9T8treaNvC5eEfyEYPeQWvJQJEBgguB2inF1FiNoWy3aVEw_UYnRdyZbmoaEJ2gIo6JImRsWB3krNOETJeIl1n4t80tTBaL3xrE/s320/082.JPG" border="0" />just as much as the sky.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdymqlafuztK_Y4oMeBFbax8MdOBEjDfHhqpkANHyatwzFS7tZCUufSAuul15WpkSvkHnFCG0LTKEsYS-G-Sz3eKdxBiS2QaKRBfQZN26P75kcLtUdSHqQXmny7oq-uCv5ZI5e8sfOXk/s1600-h/089.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ce0_l4DDu5rQPym1Pbgvz3ya4AZKLtF-vbieeqKLvWw8s1ZMIo0gk-B4fte2ukXnycVkW2iuSAZXbd_CTBXHAINyKNWr1HjgZhpfA5ElloJcwN9KCvH81qQqaC31y8X8m-4buQQOqzU/s1600-h/087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320560386957643826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ce0_l4DDu5rQPym1Pbgvz3ya4AZKLtF-vbieeqKLvWw8s1ZMIo0gk-B4fte2ukXnycVkW2iuSAZXbd_CTBXHAINyKNWr1HjgZhpfA5ElloJcwN9KCvH81qQqaC31y8X8m-4buQQOqzU/s320/087.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I learned to appreciate all of the different Mediterranean climates of the world, such as Australia, South Africa, Chile, California, North Africa and the Canary Islands.<br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320560399121568146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPYgc9wBKimy5pIgr2yhejEUVHe3k25IEui-Hgp-Qlie_RyaJ2Bf3TsdZyPm248PoLXmL0V3V4HEfXsZHijlXgEbwHjiOc1G7kLf5S9fAF1qO_5rQ97armHvbJh5sikkGAxZlvNPV-bU/s320/101.JPG" border="0" />But time doesn't stand still and my days are limited, so the city called me back.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357490306102498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiqO4cUNxqv3MTFSwsWA5W6I2Ti3yepHd2qS8S4-u8161ZZut7w76W2MLxYaKni9BeVcqMGonhWkeRYNV0_wCwQswP_1hyIytVJcz7__gWEmDkoIOrtrkh7oxxsL8Hak5y7ZMWFTpv0g/s320/236.JPG" border="0" />The buildings are incredible<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioC1kKg-Z-x4NuRa221BtwHnP-IuSylg4uLUeVDKhZVmz0EZnbJOdu9ZBW7rS9evvKgZR2fkDENVt0e1ftzqYHhPyf7tUzY1QzvpMY5iL42PeUgb2JZMoHGy6awJSFgRiGqWeiZlX6Ong/s1600-h/137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320556488301551650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioC1kKg-Z-x4NuRa221BtwHnP-IuSylg4uLUeVDKhZVmz0EZnbJOdu9ZBW7rS9evvKgZR2fkDENVt0e1ftzqYHhPyf7tUzY1QzvpMY5iL42PeUgb2JZMoHGy6awJSFgRiGqWeiZlX6Ong/s320/137.JPG" border="0" /></a> and you don't skimp on the intricate details<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320556474806943538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDF9oeAUIP8c2OiJVtsg9Wvs2f3McxGGM7oATTxxmG7FkzFL05AC22_pg-wA_Dff8BfsBdKYrpVQt8a9k-dD8J_SBcFuUizY-NCVXPIfjPDK7KOeqNcQwsMOaUfEU8gjhxCMOdeVrUDI/s320/135.JPG" border="0" /> or colors.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoG0m-9RQO3FimEeuQ-7fm7GvHk0OdivruJiu24xOo359XFlIUBMP_If2ZbJ9pKA3DX_lds7JA0qj7a68RjQIRwziM2OQbV1ng1pxNUTr2gN-kzEE0_k3TdLl37CWthzgwqq0ilUDanM/s1600-h/136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320556479654831170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoG0m-9RQO3FimEeuQ-7fm7GvHk0OdivruJiu24xOo359XFlIUBMP_If2ZbJ9pKA3DX_lds7JA0qj7a68RjQIRwziM2OQbV1ng1pxNUTr2gN-kzEE0_k3TdLl37CWthzgwqq0ilUDanM/s320/136.JPG" border="0" /></a>Leave it to you to make geraniums look so good.<br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320558692934548482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA79h80SG1OzPRSwMOqV8coj65K5WYeUz-0tSxsIS80YUycbolT_aZkGUSVGvtIGza46ZKjw20mXHfYOv11TCv2YI4UUSSSGOzRGEUsJsDqdfvcxiGsTYtAJzQGu7dume1gh8r_kVgYXw/s320/111.JPG" border="0" /> You helped create and inspire good artists like Miro<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320564354764919346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOnZlTO8nO7t8WRFfVBWccvQB3z1ivDN7uTukzm4Rcp1Bpm5KHZZjXtDPNtIP6vb9DwZf6KdAXbG3eFPsGHug9UaDg2HxXE_CJ_9gd-8Rllf2wqyZPy5hQOXSiZ1s8AMYDAD33y9gN6k/s320/040.JPG" border="0" /> Whose colors reflect your vibrancy.... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320556467176101730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqewRDD3ExyLC8seC8N81wM5xDfeefWtV6vkM8lrb_lQnMw6zCDf5dQDKjnBadmgvdNHl6cg7phmnFmuA2z0sUBC_Ofq91MYYSZ6kzbT-Zr52qEL2HWJIfioALaw0u6JGo2Y8RUQYT-xM/s320/120.JPG" border="0" />And don't forget those street artists, who make me smile...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318364388566631538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQuDpOwBtmudIxDkmBU2XjZYrl4GG1m_HH8vRK75QYkC4HEBGg4yb9DL8BFjR4xUBrfMHNm1oXY_BuZiGKjpgaASLjHY_xHUsvbrYwkMiF8rhfuavqC7-gkM4kqQ97vg9XXHnWPmpqGE/s320/184.JPG" border="0" /> My thoughts get fragmented and I don't know what to focus on when I am with you.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318364396650662178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58YEHp3S2HVe44cE6PXRnZRpXSI1M5_A7mYGgJ-JK9SFZPXHPOsnZi81eXOy9dUhIezUFeA5wGUZPvh-iZcanB6VGJw5FI4dRzwBlIDnMb1ItAs1I8EYWzO2EFd42JhPmzGa5DLB-Hos/s320/182.JPG" border="0" /> But <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gaudi</span> once again sets me straight<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRVH_6N45_u8QkwDXx4D645XXwE2tAsJhnTP1CO4JmH6GsVKGvsm5DFRf6RJ9T0aEhFDr2LmR41ZdsK3COkb81zThKyqCS_o2r9OMsUa6qRiRgZGIuqjRKbqkY16-DdckUq9nrSJEXIU/s1600-h/177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318364377767049298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRVH_6N45_u8QkwDXx4D645XXwE2tAsJhnTP1CO4JmH6GsVKGvsm5DFRf6RJ9T0aEhFDr2LmR41ZdsK3COkb81zThKyqCS_o2r9OMsUa6qRiRgZGIuqjRKbqkY16-DdckUq9nrSJEXIU/s320/177.JPG" border="0" /></a> and shows me over and over<br /><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318359944327162402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo9DFZ659dd5VC1p-WxAPvgPNwaMpZ9Y0WqFJeVDcJNCxELZIZXELv9tRsan8rumjEVrStm18D2Uxpm7JqOP2Yr5FSt3AeULoEQG95NHsnhCztdVErTnjYyF_UOyNZh31AHYTxAOU3rU/s320/188.JPG" border="0" /> why he is amazing.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXgLUwRQtGCTKLLDyUbJr2dJFNzYKCASJyCFq7nlku7EYpTTjogJ1z1K_Ahi3ql441-Es25gkrReNlGqBc4LN-4sFV_Ggb2-NWDsowZztBKfKE642s5IMFB3k2j4RCoz889sMPwRUhcw/s1600-h/227.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318359959185631074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXgLUwRQtGCTKLLDyUbJr2dJFNzYKCASJyCFq7nlku7EYpTTjogJ1z1K_Ahi3ql441-Es25gkrReNlGqBc4LN-4sFV_Ggb2-NWDsowZztBKfKE642s5IMFB3k2j4RCoz889sMPwRUhcw/s320/227.JPG" border="0" /></a> There is color and life everywhere, even if it is in the form of a statue<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ovvJ2EzKDhyphenhyphenKrmlAtmMA5msZcAiuXivhVsbGTZlTO7a0-U1ZKhVR4hWd09ITlCf_9dqohzK9VaW8okRUnshiaWfSb0u6_ov5K3kFmSeH-Hqt8xttXBfmAuMhfzKFVVdhBKic0ve-tok/s1600-h/225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318359951289830914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ovvJ2EzKDhyphenhyphenKrmlAtmMA5msZcAiuXivhVsbGTZlTO7a0-U1ZKhVR4hWd09ITlCf_9dqohzK9VaW8okRUnshiaWfSb0u6_ov5K3kFmSeH-Hqt8xttXBfmAuMhfzKFVVdhBKic0ve-tok/s320/225.JPG" border="0" /></a> in the young<br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320566623646603330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDnqpMUbHVmQCy2lDQawRPBszlGpp5fEqd6Ou6PMHUOzCPZndUPHHasQB9mTRaQbe_aC1la7aICU9bgu4Fryd08ZW8IzEshmEb-DAYnkg2r5x4RVsDqP85j1yzOh2lFrMAgHfqF9bkk8/s320/003.JPG" border="0" /> and the old, your people are like no other. Living life the way it should be lived.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320972637742236930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmy2l5i8bG0GauHo3d4jegdAYRrcbNN2ID49ICs_jv1RCl2vYjjGBOgFoTAg89CqG5TPU5_8H_iPYD37uNl9k9muZvZ_jKRJjPlZxKTlxtg2gJA0mZNCzncqCdJWWCq_eke0DJsJiVFs/s320/138.JPG" border="0" /><br />And eating food the way it should be eaten, like your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">calcots</span>, with which you have festivals to celebrate this delicacy.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357494778101378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFa247uoZLkkrJ0YT2AULExyLlXyRetkO6abDIiynbX4DBaJ5Be5la2ky5EyegIil5I8tLe2GCVVJEbNDbVfT42jEz2rnXgeWY9Nu0Gt89jzzXlbAF5f3pUvp372d6ZGvj2A7DH5YhlY/s320/238.JPG" border="0" />The markets tease and tantalize my senses, my nose, my mouth,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVMSDBzguOu7luF_OK7cVvGaWGqurxaIo9h1NsVmDjRIle00mrnRJxtmr5FuLqrQZFgAZ-j_naPjCh1nI6gPgusXAHkcssLr26zwRd1c7YlHt76-_GeZEJoT5Exd5JVV6l4yyQsuCmv0/s1600-h/239.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357502818837490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVMSDBzguOu7luF_OK7cVvGaWGqurxaIo9h1NsVmDjRIle00mrnRJxtmr5FuLqrQZFgAZ-j_naPjCh1nI6gPgusXAHkcssLr26zwRd1c7YlHt76-_GeZEJoT5Exd5JVV6l4yyQsuCmv0/s320/239.JPG" border="0" /></a> and my eyes. You trip me out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN4YU4y740lyELbAcOtyLbsWP685U4DmkeiMG3KCaEw5tU98V2p4NYFAfWYHf3TrcXfZNoBBjwUqqRbCYF1MghS7nih6UBMLiH5Sdx_kOkIsJMsmHyNpRi5Bc746hXVzHEgS2_tOMWGg/s1600-h/237.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357494118028578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN4YU4y740lyELbAcOtyLbsWP685U4DmkeiMG3KCaEw5tU98V2p4NYFAfWYHf3TrcXfZNoBBjwUqqRbCYF1MghS7nih6UBMLiH5Sdx_kOkIsJMsmHyNpRi5Bc746hXVzHEgS2_tOMWGg/s320/237.JPG" border="0" /></a>and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">inspiration</span> and love for life pulses through my body,<br /><div><div align="center"><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357506090107682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYHsVC-lFlu34PHGsE9XIumf7z_KPfe6gSBPjX9MiGUbVjUChVxnaVpnYe1x_9POWg33bIchZXpsuEyB4jRd2qGQ1S3owQXzLrCw1NHj1sWGU14DrGD-2guuJ6An1mZ44Bvc5nuxn17M/s320/240.JPG" border="0" /> and heart..<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320566622075257314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYInxc7ro8okOdlS4ps_8B-8b4SPsQcvhjz4MK5AMppUXYT4eZd4z7urEY46RKyWN9S7vVcZA2I0LCWxxE8dAVKgtA4x7ng6n80EoxVc12grjh19k8yoUlgKZoBpanHL8OG5pFg7jERY/s320/013.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /></div><br /><p>but sorry Barcelona, you shared this wonderful combination with me, but sad to say you have nothing on the tulip displays I am sure Holland is going to share with me...... Maybe it's time we took a break........ Until next time Spain......... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">xoxoxo</span></p>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-89630111724799628952009-03-17T13:49:00.013+00:002009-03-17T19:27:49.359+00:00Oh England, you steal my heart each time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOkNxgqWEgM-1WbDkqRJe5S-bmjQLxJGgnXMuBeDLEDaQPvTNWcQfL3noLq5puUVhkrkRKYrfRX6Go6Sel0qceCXp3DS1s89Rpy0A0m-QmBuiE9R6KEgxnHClGU7g9y0Kni1RmEBSas4/s1600-h/IMG_1001.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHexG70T_WnHMOq0uwrptjM5KywxG_qqJUOn1X9fMaYAc18VZkLB8YoZknGhTnHMHl_CZUMlp-deN3DUO-A3DnJOT2cxpbNAYBAYCIK9MbYqgll2jfWRF4cKh50ebaNn9JCiHH7ZrwSM/s320/IMG_0799.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314157081816472498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">well, i am no longer in Israel but in England, and how I love this place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4STD6v0D1_zh9HuaB22RynsYeDglPzwsi7mVaT6wm3An7MrHotyLcKU_CHkkIyXMe_8WKGZ7S-GhQsYfG0jlGfHgY1C_6lvTIiu19XjbIlvz4SkbHDEFTUGkTyzRhyMbGTgFEZSVmzMg/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314162824738124290" /><div style="text-align: center;">Went to visit Great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dixter</span> and all my garden friends there, woke up to misty mornings with the English birds serenading me, or at least that is what I like to think. Little living orchestras..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtlVUBBTBfPY0p8pxQCg22N_j4Zrm8UIQu1WsrhGaeDr7wCuukU9bql1BbAwr9O6bmdrQSjachSl-7OgB42_6OJmwIlZCpYz2TfQ1YFaRmUkEpX3YTzQYjjBN4pcnCsl2Alj0m_X9NlQ/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314164410638815314" /><div style="text-align: center;"> the glorious long border with it's winter skeletons,<br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMJSJ5P_F-jQeJq0dAqIXr4Dg-zdm2Jk36K1kEtN0DxrGRVDOCzEtbBs6g5p0W2LeCB6h3v0UF6g617-E8sTFMZO5h0TvrYgwuxDqj8c2whWwptCHoijGYrTDRhz0sveqELtl7w4sH9Y/s320/IMG_1002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314164418461651698" /><div style="text-align: center;">and springs new children,</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4jBiFctGUokoVvdBwV7Rty5hYte0VlHVKfe8wJ4PjSokeTzuMwL38nSpL9rgH7mjpBTz-bekdMVq1yfFSp2MrFgOUecDcpJOzmDOsx0DEk71eq_wXYu0KXNyEefQkmYKgwF2Ue-Lf44/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314162837037409826" /><div style="text-align: center;">and as always the punches of color like exclamation points in the garden.</div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3TOk9IWIjvUhdSwN5Bi7nyzea2-8OstavW3aDm9OjjYctN6NzvBnveNF_F4ejKMkVaNrHuNBnbm8DQNWjK0FPR8HeUBpbSRqPThbCiSyUr0pzAPPCTHwuNxrv9ZM1AEGkfQhK62tQ4c/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314162836248961666" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;">each morning was quiet</span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVPFrLmn6SXOw8Coso9G-NAXPsVkA7QZ2EkV7dUQ6AB0ag_x1X9oT88k8I4Q7LcqPH3iCj-I5kDZM6fqwRsFDbLJPtz3RnJ9pJceJWdfhix-4Gix6kuHtQEyn38NzEyrvUt3PyCnGuws/s320/IMG_0993.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314164415922575458" /><div style="text-align: center;">and each evening too, especially with Vira.(Thanks Tom!)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ewJ09ZTvoR58SFrgZBHGP1QbjQqnUnA_tpg716vgAjZ_sjTZshYblq-S1OHB_bHV_G9X4BnzfrYvAn8Nlzpw1YA61Zv6Q-jgI-WdEXCxgpQtghbO_trMu3Aq5L3Jc1JS9l-89vs6T2Y/s1600-h/IMG_0949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ewJ09ZTvoR58SFrgZBHGP1QbjQqnUnA_tpg716vgAjZ_sjTZshYblq-S1OHB_bHV_G9X4BnzfrYvAn8Nlzpw1YA61Zv6Q-jgI-WdEXCxgpQtghbO_trMu3Aq5L3Jc1JS9l-89vs6T2Y/s320/IMG_0949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314162816570020610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And London, with all your chaos and inspiration, puddle jumping my way around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrCfUJrRoSOsBLVHRg9sV3xBt1cW6e6lXtYST5YXPpbvzEcCCc4dzeb4MW1WQcnfeWN_U_FXXUP2cZrd8SMqXNCAtBDi-r7bWCGJkFsr8VMYo1CknzBRqjLnJyWRwzq8IdVBCE6qR0CY/s1600-h/IMG_0948.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrCfUJrRoSOsBLVHRg9sV3xBt1cW6e6lXtYST5YXPpbvzEcCCc4dzeb4MW1WQcnfeWN_U_FXXUP2cZrd8SMqXNCAtBDi-r7bWCGJkFsr8VMYo1CknzBRqjLnJyWRwzq8IdVBCE6qR0CY/s320/IMG_0948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314161541180250146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Color combinations are everywhere if one takes notice, and subtle textures too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-U5fOCiclXgnm6ZxH1vnHSk9NcxW0VYxlRObrgK-9f40ARqINIXNh4mLfq_ijCEyfctxtpYlmDhjIDeo3hPWihSmA2WHcc67xyxwDNA_AvVAh5jntsTNWk6SrbR4DDNr6qqS6FBhaJ8k/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314161533697052978" /><div style="text-align: center;">Some more texture and friends..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUzHi7OlhQ9sLZnLHAOcbyqQ71qzkA9Vh9aJmm9gLbfhXtvXcSoh2iqG-GvBfQbxJAvR3YKmZJ6YflASVNUZLN89DlHzw4EkH9Gk9jqE5zyh2RktcNvXvG-LZNw7RNF4Yc0EJ4GR47sI/s320/IMG_0945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314161540374723922" /><div style="text-align: center;">The streets are punctuated with flowers for sale, like these jolly primrose.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExPSlr3g4HPZ9Fvu99vpkqUBdo-pgz4MBEhM9xecsj-aY9P18Y6RX9ssvzoByFewFUlOErBTDsWu6QORnXTAogKPw29CxiB2iafFx8wtqvk1TMf2tkuMCphGO7sN42z80F12TCX1j9FM/s1600-h/IMG_0939.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExPSlr3g4HPZ9Fvu99vpkqUBdo-pgz4MBEhM9xecsj-aY9P18Y6RX9ssvzoByFewFUlOErBTDsWu6QORnXTAogKPw29CxiB2iafFx8wtqvk1TMf2tkuMCphGO7sN42z80F12TCX1j9FM/s320/IMG_0939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314161528695161842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> and the windows at The Lodge, always makes me smile, as much as it's inhabitants.(Thanks Stephen and Greg!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P5o7kxXDHaPzq3bGWTpxvmoeFKGgKqfoTogtSwxBUm9E0Q4kvAh8zAZh9CvctaqnBLbkyBsmpgMSGE77tf0SdrbrgJhnfzHG9O2TP-A9p6etbOn7cTjxphpJdqRspFVuhiFlciS6nF0/s1600-h/IMG_0936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P5o7kxXDHaPzq3bGWTpxvmoeFKGgKqfoTogtSwxBUm9E0Q4kvAh8zAZh9CvctaqnBLbkyBsmpgMSGE77tf0SdrbrgJhnfzHG9O2TP-A9p6etbOn7cTjxphpJdqRspFVuhiFlciS6nF0/s320/IMG_0936.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314161525989181650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Some sleepy mornings and</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVDm1_QUczxhhchkonAV1UkHNL2PuX0w6L5LBvnNov7cK9AQvvVcPdGGyE1_bBVW1HuA_giLC9gUJrM6Z5b41cFLhn2MxornimTOV-HYI5KcgOi3xYEOIqCkuFYi6H5SoNBb6Petuvhg/s1600-h/IMG_0914.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVDm1_QUczxhhchkonAV1UkHNL2PuX0w6L5LBvnNov7cK9AQvvVcPdGGyE1_bBVW1HuA_giLC9gUJrM6Z5b41cFLhn2MxornimTOV-HYI5KcgOi3xYEOIqCkuFYi6H5SoNBb6Petuvhg/s320/IMG_0914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314160224035098594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and jet lagged afternoons....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7_UzIl_5YK6j-PG6QZ2YS9Q2G5z7W6z2SoJtqKtYStLy6I_zyq6gRLGX6h0vg4smeZnuy2Gkqc0xmgj86RDhZv1cklEPNUNnhAZvQsT_OkacoHIofboYaeuYvEh-3kdgNfI85Ie2LY4/s1600-h/IMG_0922.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7_UzIl_5YK6j-PG6QZ2YS9Q2G5z7W6z2SoJtqKtYStLy6I_zyq6gRLGX6h0vg4smeZnuy2Gkqc0xmgj86RDhZv1cklEPNUNnhAZvQsT_OkacoHIofboYaeuYvEh-3kdgNfI85Ie2LY4/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314160218055153378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Which leads to silliness with friends, while donning a new cap.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IzqBPhRZfx8rHCXe-6QaAioGQXsMmrFY2gZoKwbkFCziwF3Pcm69zhv7VCA5rIqtl3EJX5RdjZ5LiopPucN1FetbT7w14cfASYhz6Hp_Rql3BUU2ON8BQzz8SN2VTLN7hOTUIji29Qo/s1600-h/IMG_0880.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IzqBPhRZfx8rHCXe-6QaAioGQXsMmrFY2gZoKwbkFCziwF3Pcm69zhv7VCA5rIqtl3EJX5RdjZ5LiopPucN1FetbT7w14cfASYhz6Hp_Rql3BUU2ON8BQzz8SN2VTLN7hOTUIji29Qo/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314160211127783826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> The book stalls near the Thames</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh162Sr0C8sXUk-TUDdnxH6i2SaOOuWNcufxolBsXGjyAQqe9i5xoavA_NPzl7Q8793kpgx54Zw6_FrJ3WvDKKL57jDQG8XFnkf_PCU3pPyY2D8XHemSjLyu8ZZELW-WEdmKBtlO6uWKKE/s1600-h/IMG_0879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh162Sr0C8sXUk-TUDdnxH6i2SaOOuWNcufxolBsXGjyAQqe9i5xoavA_NPzl7Q8793kpgx54Zw6_FrJ3WvDKKL57jDQG8XFnkf_PCU3pPyY2D8XHemSjLyu8ZZELW-WEdmKBtlO6uWKKE/s320/IMG_0879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314160207778780210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and more street art on the walls, i love it all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh47twAskDMf0T3kMQx3772KBPIpXL81r3le0XGQQkMmxeoAQdXepbRpDdma-js13wJ2Q4OO9RyU0AwL0ilnDgXcpjph2qrJDiJYsMb1dHkSLM0o0-NPZc8sspY7pNHvC_y1I7CPq9HTs/s1600-h/IMG_0862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh47twAskDMf0T3kMQx3772KBPIpXL81r3le0XGQQkMmxeoAQdXepbRpDdma-js13wJ2Q4OO9RyU0AwL0ilnDgXcpjph2qrJDiJYsMb1dHkSLM0o0-NPZc8sspY7pNHvC_y1I7CPq9HTs/s320/IMG_0862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314160199690431314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Still jetlagged but woken up by bursting yellow Narcissis in St. James Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNCCSZsXoN7ydEMnyJFJYLyJ1U-7HN59lPmXqQcE1VfDTZCsoQmza7FYGpcn0xmwh2LMfC00vPKLl7enGcvkYUKCmRSKX5dylEhounzkLP7oWhU7PJNcWxepg4OUnbaBXdYKnzuFag_g/s1600-h/IMG_0853.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNCCSZsXoN7ydEMnyJFJYLyJ1U-7HN59lPmXqQcE1VfDTZCsoQmza7FYGpcn0xmwh2LMfC00vPKLl7enGcvkYUKCmRSKX5dylEhounzkLP7oWhU7PJNcWxepg4OUnbaBXdYKnzuFag_g/s320/IMG_0853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158965540819858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The light here on the architecture makes me smile</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsqAyFlnXOA7HYpXykyId36J7MNQy_sBFFnvpvhCo6OODer59C8BxkZBKSlpbIfgZEjGCkCo0ZMavmo-PJQBdGdAirDEGmeDHbODfIBscMpstVDn_mIvlRx-DJgHYfS-g-Bp2AxkSuH0/s320/IMG_0852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158960695548642" /><div style="text-align: center;"> or reflections in the lake, which give me ideas for pushing the idea of water features and what we have come to expect of them. Do they really need to spout water?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y4rt6KHu28hokQ3qF0Gi53VcTfc63yaGuWWdemXkYzUepVxKwF51EYEZ8LTxV9gbgI-dMqg9cdtFKvTlzfgQulfVUEHFrYVDGzOL806uxWndWaWLuX9PxvC2COXFtVKurJwsNdWJ9jQ/s320/IMG_0823.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158946491598066" /><div style="text-align: center;">Whether it's blocks of Crocus color or </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMMdzizNGGCS8lzFg9jcj4n0JOHcI4hR_5MKhOnCXIe-RZEJTkKIXwkAu-G71gVZl-imgIARh6LUGBm9rL1izoSkHFxZnBqaGK2d_1DHYxX61jDA3wudcywPbslcuAGa8nGb1YCiHTxc/s1600-h/IMG_0819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMMdzizNGGCS8lzFg9jcj4n0JOHcI4hR_5MKhOnCXIe-RZEJTkKIXwkAu-G71gVZl-imgIARh6LUGBm9rL1izoSkHFxZnBqaGK2d_1DHYxX61jDA3wudcywPbslcuAGa8nGb1YCiHTxc/s320/IMG_0819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158168945047378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">blocks of primary colors, it feeds me all the same way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX1PyIA8Ur_qUN-W5eujlRZf2BHvdy3DUqIOjxit5j2jk9LUtn77qSVtS9m70XRu7CKTMNEPDqvKSrnFXzrJbMUJBSm62X83vGjRJsZQG6kbzoV3Z6btfg8zf2MeVMDPD8OfnInqedvw/s1600-h/IMG_0818.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX1PyIA8Ur_qUN-W5eujlRZf2BHvdy3DUqIOjxit5j2jk9LUtn77qSVtS9m70XRu7CKTMNEPDqvKSrnFXzrJbMUJBSm62X83vGjRJsZQG6kbzoV3Z6btfg8zf2MeVMDPD8OfnInqedvw/s320/IMG_0818.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158159374410658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It lifts my spirits</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HrjfWFPt8OZxHEamz0kEFrAEDssqBhLQkgvG9kmRTvP1Dbql7vqSvGqmGRppaMUwM8FA34pD69QDo6EeKQXbPWF4tiyK-jMI0S7iY0xQXtJeGBuznxxFGwCRHGOQg0IYE7VwQE5vYew/s1600-h/IMG_0817.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HrjfWFPt8OZxHEamz0kEFrAEDssqBhLQkgvG9kmRTvP1Dbql7vqSvGqmGRppaMUwM8FA34pD69QDo6EeKQXbPWF4tiyK-jMI0S7iY0xQXtJeGBuznxxFGwCRHGOQg0IYE7VwQE5vYew/s320/IMG_0817.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158152118229026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">makes me feel wise</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAAaWh_Rx1ttRaz-pwnGnN_7jjAbZ5pK_RaBvtzcvt-oI9ta79-fE0qkxu-KR7E_QR9ADvh4hj11mqoS5eV6qAti9nCRPA1d4N6pO-DqnG_NTrnJgsC0CveQVyiSQWOArQHX19kBCe3o/s1600-h/IMG_0812.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAAaWh_Rx1ttRaz-pwnGnN_7jjAbZ5pK_RaBvtzcvt-oI9ta79-fE0qkxu-KR7E_QR9ADvh4hj11mqoS5eV6qAti9nCRPA1d4N6pO-DqnG_NTrnJgsC0CveQVyiSQWOArQHX19kBCe3o/s320/IMG_0812.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158144505445186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and helps me to get creative,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgeHU-Z3Mgda0hkdDQOjJtyQD2PoYk6whHB8xPZosargMuYMsSVfhSiqo2Li454ECaemR_0NCqYd-nUMp3a3xlVeIc9pQtQYz23KSrqLZP48VZebvTIUmTNdwHlp8SBAqSOcbwjj4br4/s1600-h/IMG_0811.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgeHU-Z3Mgda0hkdDQOjJtyQD2PoYk6whHB8xPZosargMuYMsSVfhSiqo2Li454ECaemR_0NCqYd-nUMp3a3xlVeIc9pQtQYz23KSrqLZP48VZebvTIUmTNdwHlp8SBAqSOcbwjj4br4/s320/IMG_0811.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314158134252029282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So I can break the surface and push the boundaries.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrE9MDTxFSxG0JKnO5BIfde-XSd2aLaigupOxc-iBhDerUH7MkqdW6WkJ4FumlACDX2TWX1Wet9k9E3hAvWFF952cic3QIklFl6LZPh7UHrzY3tjO6l4xalEpPDUeQHLPLSc7ClkUoq4/s1600-h/IMG_0713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrE9MDTxFSxG0JKnO5BIfde-XSd2aLaigupOxc-iBhDerUH7MkqdW6WkJ4FumlACDX2TWX1Wet9k9E3hAvWFF952cic3QIklFl6LZPh7UHrzY3tjO6l4xalEpPDUeQHLPLSc7ClkUoq4/s320/IMG_0713.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314157075280208242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My sketchbook is increasing and filling up, though I don't always get to finish, such as this alley in Jerusalem on Zion Square.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTqU-LGNJls2jcxl9sjnO0qqvvpvUjJ9mmiQj_tBDvh9A1Wat244LuRUQn9uHrHNyPdTAce2LALmkWgDPq7uv82YgGGHC3MAa_u8XR_1PJ76ljfk16fP5QOgG3A4zK79hHXQJ3oFoPZk/s1600-h/IMG_0711.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTqU-LGNJls2jcxl9sjnO0qqvvpvUjJ9mmiQj_tBDvh9A1Wat244LuRUQn9uHrHNyPdTAce2LALmkWgDPq7uv82YgGGHC3MAa_u8XR_1PJ76ljfk16fP5QOgG3A4zK79hHXQJ3oFoPZk/s320/IMG_0711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314157067449537634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But my mind is going in new directions</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7fvrLffcfqvJXQ1Dzxf64-rcJDSh1oVF_YY65Dr6c5S8B_5hNHk81vBsOrh_uv3DGYCXNxaWrcd345lftei2TEFxllatITCW_DxcolXeaWrzUnNC5iZaxfAymdrFXLsWQldetOg8BkI/s1600-h/IMG_0712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7fvrLffcfqvJXQ1Dzxf64-rcJDSh1oVF_YY65Dr6c5S8B_5hNHk81vBsOrh_uv3DGYCXNxaWrcd345lftei2TEFxllatITCW_DxcolXeaWrzUnNC5iZaxfAymdrFXLsWQldetOg8BkI/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314157064362492642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and trying new things.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vqBSEyTux6YoqcBbi_Gm8yqZnHuT2yKdG0JzPUu_CEi9qaFw3jwnMStKMDTnK23uqmiKuYkt6bTg2ehigqjxRo3xfkBB2Ucg-LQNHjFJM_pSqnASx5UoGuWnuGYou7TeQG566Q9_nOA/s1600-h/IMG_0709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vqBSEyTux6YoqcBbi_Gm8yqZnHuT2yKdG0JzPUu_CEi9qaFw3jwnMStKMDTnK23uqmiKuYkt6bTg2ehigqjxRo3xfkBB2Ucg-LQNHjFJM_pSqnASx5UoGuWnuGYou7TeQG566Q9_nOA/s320/IMG_0709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314157053945438930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I am off to Spain now to experience a city I love so much, and look forward to it's gardens, Gaudi, Picasso, and all other random bits that make me smile..... </div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748900748510813098.post-81929770336364127672009-02-25T15:36:00.011+00:002009-03-10T20:49:57.845+00:00Israel, toda and shalom<div><div><div><div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2trHKgpOrzc9yDnm0F0EhdzPmqYR5kbSdL7LhNyPAkkhdzgze0gbqYJXUofTKm5CUb7M-Gsa92KBMGGGN7XpvIoi8iwQg6bPum6tbbsygxG2zy1mnAIVJjIkEBnBNFjxpz09p728k4g/s1600-h/jimmy+672.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308680892238428738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2trHKgpOrzc9yDnm0F0EhdzPmqYR5kbSdL7LhNyPAkkhdzgze0gbqYJXUofTKm5CUb7M-Gsa92KBMGGGN7XpvIoi8iwQg6bPum6tbbsygxG2zy1mnAIVJjIkEBnBNFjxpz09p728k4g/s320/jimmy+672.jpg" border="0" /></a> Oh Israel, you have not been easy but I have come to respect and adore you. You didn't expose yourself immediatedly but waited to show me your treasures such as your wild tulips. </div><br /><div align="center"><em>Tulipa agenensis<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308670551107490178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj-Buwj6LVfxjXOdxBUhGjJPiDntNzZ6pgrjzQ5bkQlhpL5DM5yrrwt033d4h5omDZvFRB6IMpNnDlWnu49-uQTVcQI0RSY_wLuIUJz-gyeh5q34GsOJhD_a-n8vAO6eXq6hyXsBKB5Q/s320/jimmy+882.jpg" border="0" /></em>I was always in awe of your wonderful landscapes and with how breathtaking and different they were, the coast, the desert, the mountains and the Dead Sea. How incredible they all are.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphvHY0e4fgFOxAEGcLesHuySKMPVvLcZVUO7MvtASUm_kOuDRSy1a0FAfE4NNJ7zhM4W5T9ybM9PZLtlIvUP0U1RdoWkFFzRfowjd6A27l-mKHwJLMbszuHlebnMS11r1XOFQEy-qITo/s1600-h/jimmy+714.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308680884247960418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphvHY0e4fgFOxAEGcLesHuySKMPVvLcZVUO7MvtASUm_kOuDRSy1a0FAfE4NNJ7zhM4W5T9ybM9PZLtlIvUP0U1RdoWkFFzRfowjd6A27l-mKHwJLMbszuHlebnMS11r1XOFQEy-qITo/s320/jimmy+714.jpg" border="0" /></a> The tiny <em>Adonis aestivalis</em>, holding its own in the wild. Your plants are strong, just like your people. I made some amazing friends there and appreciate and adore the bond we have created.<br /><div> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6S3OaVMcqd9P-68NOBrvkhHGVm_c5vojNl9AN_BbqiA2rpVyw4YebmHoOIyC_O0poTb37OP2FGfloO8SVt7qCH-71lsU1mrbee8AGI2Kmsbu8w5NVEVGl4J4vncZg9iWTIl8OMp7HKU/s1600-h/jimmy+685.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308680869539304130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6S3OaVMcqd9P-68NOBrvkhHGVm_c5vojNl9AN_BbqiA2rpVyw4YebmHoOIyC_O0poTb37OP2FGfloO8SVt7qCH-71lsU1mrbee8AGI2Kmsbu8w5NVEVGl4J4vncZg9iWTIl8OMp7HKU/s320/jimmy+685.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here is a native cactus in the Asclepidaceae family growing next to some rocks.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308680871847486482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMFXISVVI8acZnBFVbbHu6LGScniWCv3XryXZqNlzXX38rr_sMHPjadwhINUPLMY_-S6GxGbi3qhF6km3_K1RW6TmkB_K0bLQ4CkViVQaNdIUVJ7AinwFMmmzJxJ-sHWEV5CL6EcUWyk/s320/jimmy+686.jpg" border="0" /> I have had a hard time identifying you but you still try to keep your secrets.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25jl353IqqyXF69ULsBTjr0Pfa12EDkwbYGbLbxI9BF4GzBLut9Isosxq0vdCmSn4VFWtyX8a5VQ3z5rgpQHdJvpyjNXq0-aAf6cBPjrGRSVBB-CeqX6rNWzLS-mgIMlgeg0_7M_TSig/s1600-h/jimmy+716.jpg"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308680890099291714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25jl353IqqyXF69ULsBTjr0Pfa12EDkwbYGbLbxI9BF4GzBLut9Isosxq0vdCmSn4VFWtyX8a5VQ3z5rgpQHdJvpyjNXq0-aAf6cBPjrGRSVBB-CeqX6rNWzLS-mgIMlgeg0_7M_TSig/s320/jimmy+716.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> I adored these treasures that you keep hiding, like your little wild areas showing your white colored cliffs of limestone.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308677201875626194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWeVKjdGyFgnnxa_23Iajb6WYE1kdU7N6-EzN1IsSxTmqV-zsM5ZyF1cdMEMGOjuvLysnwhH6D9hXFbovKmfTTMp9Z8gj8zQnlSKxhvm9WzdyK2WUbmBz6xgK6UJaVqneV6PdWhpyY_8/s320/jimmy+732.jpg" border="0" />The desert landscape is something I have never encountered and am still in shock by how immense and incredible it can be.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRltMubpb_FDP8ds2AguWnlUwpKNwVOsZg0ibhhNdvE7yM1o0vW6H715N5JTSRrpnDF9nyPQ5u9nBW58As9gKcjzGpDaB_tyrSFS7I5AyHb0QVjYBFFlYnVR6cnHsSf2-hpwZQNjaYyYk/s1600-h/jimmy+731.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308677193223024818" style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; " alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRltMubpb_FDP8ds2AguWnlUwpKNwVOsZg0ibhhNdvE7yM1o0vW6H715N5JTSRrpnDF9nyPQ5u9nBW58As9gKcjzGpDaB_tyrSFS7I5AyHb0QVjYBFFlYnVR6cnHsSf2-hpwZQNjaYyYk/s320/jimmy+731.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And how you bathe yourself in sunlight, changing colors with each passing moment.</div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308674390412513330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFImdYjED4Kj8CISr4Zicjr6c0ppf1CoHe_d27rEPOU836Q6yTNLdxnftUBI-N9L5MPBnLp83xMoIUsiAYNUXP41iHrqcHo7H4lqEEcyW1zzNNJg5Df2OZETR-tk19LNsAG6fOFLRrFtk/s320/jimmy+783.jpg" border="0" />The Dead Sea areas were fascinating and how plants have adaped to living in your wadis, with the view they constantly have of the Jordan mountains. I am so jealous. <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308671543457451554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2prI-cjWPq8uenVQ7ok_ebCMSEM_PhMNWR1MHuuGKc_8-TDi-zgJ5G3JmN9DXLRnQm-zDnz7bxzhPI_pRYusYxw-vDJISeWzGxcy8HRQOpAxUnVf9K2jERE4gL_P3UzAeGus27yAM58/s320/jimmy+789.jpg" border="0" /> The botanical name is Anastatica hierochuntica. Rose of Jericho. This plant goes dormant for years if need be and once the rains come, it comes alive, slowly opening up all the way with hopes of blooming to set seed and continue on. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308670536244684610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkdIOtum7yZPM4lwpnFr8RtlP2qsizSJ2KLV0rS6GyyF2oC1mfNex0mWb6YnoKlIPnFHN06r29DCOP2ItGTKiukcyPjZ1WvAZWeHY7gpqsrkWFBrEWrt96gVDPGU_YTrQA-u7LGvlS5I/s320/jimmy+787.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here you have an established plant community of them which was in decline for awhile but are starting to return.<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8qZGpdL9xX-DjEc8ojjTbRI5ZRiTPCaZOXdQDYrfDSWZVFyVg1AIzn2OkTCEKD5alEayghPpj-xy_7uzLfniKYknigcJtm_ZUNutebB8DqqvNiSlX0Y7Gu2wQ7ZyPeFILf5A3gG_L7Q/s1600-h/jimmy+777.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308674381626914546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8qZGpdL9xX-DjEc8ojjTbRI5ZRiTPCaZOXdQDYrfDSWZVFyVg1AIzn2OkTCEKD5alEayghPpj-xy_7uzLfniKYknigcJtm_ZUNutebB8DqqvNiSlX0Y7Gu2wQ7ZyPeFILf5A3gG_L7Q/s320/jimmy+777.jpg" border="0" /></a>I was able to see your desert broomrape in the desert come alive with it's yellow blooms.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXjdIj42-0QZPfXkxokXJGQV4-2RTyGONstbaYYy3uPMoMNzRu-yM3wjV6I44nfIqOcQRT-x3ZJdS-W05PsGysLc6i1Ybkb2bFTW6kaMypJqjkgtSNvezrzaghQhdYbhqQxDoNKQSvCs/s1600-h/jimmy+773.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308674374581676866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXjdIj42-0QZPfXkxokXJGQV4-2RTyGONstbaYYy3uPMoMNzRu-yM3wjV6I44nfIqOcQRT-x3ZJdS-W05PsGysLc6i1Ybkb2bFTW6kaMypJqjkgtSNvezrzaghQhdYbhqQxDoNKQSvCs/s320/jimmy+773.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Cistanche tubulosa</span>, even though you are a parasite, your still wonderful to see.<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VTkZAdDVb1OMTECVFjFHuH66KvjHM0Gldf1kYQtwOgB8uRXu_TCl6FbqU1kYdhoKR5V6LwSWHWdhBwdWOPh4s3XuescpyiyyxA3hwMwxJvYoQkgByFE52gRxFYfUnviz_IpvOTgZ1O0/s1600-h/jimmy+866.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308670547229277890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VTkZAdDVb1OMTECVFjFHuH66KvjHM0Gldf1kYQtwOgB8uRXu_TCl6FbqU1kYdhoKR5V6LwSWHWdhBwdWOPh4s3XuescpyiyyxA3hwMwxJvYoQkgByFE52gRxFYfUnviz_IpvOTgZ1O0/s320/jimmy+866.jpg" border="0" /></a>The light shows you the subtle colors and tones of your plants, all surviving in such harsh conditions. They make me feel so humble. <br /><div> <br /><div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308670544422955266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw6VurXeFtZYXIFPwhJTE64nzQncS22OWD-OhwWzUtVMkUypoSyjt257bx8wSxusISug5QGpCW5Ov0eDNbjAx566D2gQdQZxwyyFCkLU0vj9xowSfN21XvX_OWnfI_3lxA4sjAPp3W3Y/s320/jimmy+842.jpg" border="0" />I won't forget how tiny and humbled I was by your desert.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309584686459835362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6YASvqU7odFSiWPd4Sz14hGqKTEqYRehZLYpjU8nUsMBjzzIzSaz0eraAXQ7Dp-CkvXkJjaGqeMsZlv3M1GZP9nlITzZzgO56UuK-fxbGGNuMAjBSSrYzMfCJSTuGvKNIRM8WiitFZA/s320/jimmy+928.jpg" border="0" /> I'll miss your olive trees and your stunning natural landscapes with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Chrysanthemum coronarium.</span><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309587958593507906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7WCfBmL5hWXbWQ3T0H_FhAtFmwrLWEVpXxOxFdW-nWmSnR4sy1o1dZwnBXb6BhnYPOpKfp9lh4_c6acklNYDhVbOqCxAmKK3D3sWPnWxgHeutPeRqRC4Nr6n1WX4Pbw3gnysWYvl5p4/s320/jimmy+911.jpg" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU2xCHNzXArsRQgi-UJyaooLzla563PKt6V9XLdgcsYfHmOR7977_RKRP4gZyOBTwPSZZHz3OtAHWI1WRDd2yU2jncMO1H19jfWJTjARlk4givnhiAJWX9qK2-NAPgpj_Dn2M88CSGTc/s1600-h/jimmy+916.jpg">Alkanna tinctoria, with your beautiful blue hues, waking up the countryside with your color.</a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309587974698811378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU2xCHNzXArsRQgi-UJyaooLzla563PKt6V9XLdgcsYfHmOR7977_RKRP4gZyOBTwPSZZHz3OtAHWI1WRDd2yU2jncMO1H19jfWJTjARlk4givnhiAJWX9qK2-NAPgpj_Dn2M88CSGTc/s320/jimmy+916.jpg" border="0" /><em>Iris atropurpurea<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> clump growing in the wild. Never did I think I would have this opportunity to see such amazing plants growing in their natural habitat.</span></em> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309584676284609522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANsOC52IQCjuyOUU3E90-rn83DdJNgzTAmq5LagQuQ2zfgS-Z5df8UMviC6IyVjP8hmHwdOtfkuFAaKomx4k98Q5Wqfw5PzHJWUc3-S-yUkmHnsNjJeULcsQ1A2mP9324lrXTED6dka8/s320/jimmy+919.jpg" border="0" /><em> Iris atropurpurea,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> dark and lovely</span>.<br /></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdWqY94dobGi6LNUPAP5QRydIcsLASanrFPCiE0F5yaonMLJda8pL1TQLVddeZ_IWkzokw3gzq4mvBPtDb3CBZISRYRhiBuTgl1FgqHdw49PQ9lXb6nxlya_V17N7HHyXeVma-qpXLqM/s1600-h/jimmy+915.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309587970751248226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdWqY94dobGi6LNUPAP5QRydIcsLASanrFPCiE0F5yaonMLJda8pL1TQLVddeZ_IWkzokw3gzq4mvBPtDb3CBZISRYRhiBuTgl1FgqHdw49PQ9lXb6nxlya_V17N7HHyXeVma-qpXLqM/s320/jimmy+915.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Or to get the chance to see wild garli</span>c, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">such as</span> Allium tel-avivense.<br /></em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS_efftsxBli6BzHe2P8oaT8_ELCWDjkIvhQeufBCC1jyBmzLnQHPxzB-1PutIvwNjbPIs-Sao0fryZpC2-XEhHg_rvC_vahHh3gUc2_TCNiSz-IpfGxTLvv7gY8wBnhqnKMwyVUMcC8/s1600-h/jimmy+914.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309587966103594434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS_efftsxBli6BzHe2P8oaT8_ELCWDjkIvhQeufBCC1jyBmzLnQHPxzB-1PutIvwNjbPIs-Sao0fryZpC2-XEhHg_rvC_vahHh3gUc2_TCNiSz-IpfGxTLvv7gY8wBnhqnKMwyVUMcC8/s320/jimmy+914.jpg" border="0" /></a>I was fortunate to see your spring wildflowers such as this field full of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Chrysanthemum coronarium.</span><br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlf8hJ2XzqHjg5JxeBe4FT6FwIjQ75UwTpKc6EKhhWI-6ppi9tPZzloyS2b_zDQcdLXVfxl3xaMyr1ee41uaKfZEPuxt42ThU4dQ-T2FCjSNiJBmn9vKocsr6nNvCtStVYAg77uyRZ3w/s1600-h/jimmy+924.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309584681123616402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlf8hJ2XzqHjg5JxeBe4FT6FwIjQ75UwTpKc6EKhhWI-6ppi9tPZzloyS2b_zDQcdLXVfxl3xaMyr1ee41uaKfZEPuxt42ThU4dQ-T2FCjSNiJBmn9vKocsr6nNvCtStVYAg77uyRZ3w/s320/jimmy+924.jpg" border="0" /></a>Thank you, Israel, for an amazing 6 months here, it wouldn't have been possible without the British Friends Scholarship at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens. I am very fortunate and happy to have received the scholarship. It is sad to leave you but life and new experiences beckon me. I leave you know to spend a week in England, a week in Spain, and then on to Holland. I'll miss you and the wonderful friends I have made there, but I promise you, I will be back......Now, I will be studying on a private estate in Holland for the next few months...... I'll keep you posted....<br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533270321148258709noreply@blogger.com0