De Wiersse revisited

  

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

 for a few days.

 

The most beautiful and fragrant sweet peas waited for me in my room, a wonderful sight to see.

 I  slept well,

 

I enjoyed the view, 

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 ...

 

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.

Alcea rosea

 Papaver commutatum 'Ladybird'

 

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.

 

Or an energetic display of affection between Tagetes and Violas, squeezed together in a bamboo inspired vase.

 

It was an orgy of flowers with color, scent and texture for days. It was just what I needed.

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.

The Days of De Wiersse.....

At first arrival, I knew it would be different...

A garden where the beauty of the place is whispered and is still clearly heard,and you see it, reflected in all of it's details.

With its orchestra of bulbs,
it's emergence of lush green foliage,
or a field of yellow blooms, together they all helped herald the arrival of spring.
De Wiersse lead me down it's path,
shrouded my mornings with enchantment,
and bathed me in its warm light,
letting me end each day with a plethora of satisfaction.
I enjoyed the long path laden with Magnolia blooms,
or greeting it's geometric forms,
and hearing the buzzing of life in the meadow during summer.
Each moment carefully orchestrated and stored in my mind.

Boat rides in the outer moat , walks with Petal (yes, and you too Flopsy..),

and the nodding of the the Fritillaries in the wind, waiting for just the right moment to collect and distribute their seeds,

my mind and body floated languidly through each day,

lost in a haze

of fleeting moments.

Each day taking me further into my adventure.

To view the Rhododendrons from the boat seemed as if they floated above the water.

Each vista was special in its own way,

sometimes linking the interior of the garden with the surrounding landscape, never seeming forced.

The Wild Garden was a barrage of color with help from Foxgloves,

Azaleas and Bluebells, causing much excitement to my eyes.

And then there was the kitchen garden,

another slice of my paradise,

sometimes dream-like,

sometimes a flurry of organized chaos,it was a place to learn combinations,

to experiment,
and to watch life unfurl.
Oh, Sweet Williams,

heavy harvests,and the fruits of my labor,

time was lost in the richness of it all.

The kitchen garden enveloped me with its lessons,

and I was tangled in it's fine silky web

and thus, it brought me much, much happiness and delight.

Each day lined up new experiences,

new places to admire,

and secrets and surprises.

Two seasons have been found, and hopefully more will be unearthed,

and revealed in time.

The Sunken Garden, that lifts a smile to my face,
and provided many moments of solace
you made me giddy with delight.

It was a sight to watch your mood change,

from loud and vibrant,

to mysterious, I enjoyed it all the same,

never fully knowing where it would take me.

You shared your home with me,

and your food,

and your many, many flowers,

which inspired me tremendously,

over,

and over,

and over again.

It woke my spirits,

and pushed me further than I imagined it would.

My eyes, my enlightened heart,
charming flowers and smiles,I walk down my memory.
Thank you so much DeWiersse.xoxo