Better Home & Gardens in Cornwall

When we planned our trip to Cornwall I was aware that there were a few gardens and some homes to be seen.  What I didn't account for was the fact that there are so many homes and gardens to be seen.  Since looking at other people's homes and gardens isn't one of Taylor's favorite occupations I planned that we would go see two.  Well, our guide David took us to two estates, I planned an additional two, and then we went to London.

Lanhydrock
This National Trust home is Cornwall's most complete Victorian country home (according to the brochure).  It was lovely, and we could have spent more time here.  It was our first though so we knew we would need to pace ourselves. David thought we needed two hours, we said one, and we stayed for one and a half.  Like I said we could spent more time here both inside and in the gardens.

Just what one would expect of a country home.

Country homes need their own chapel.

Of all the rooms in the house, I liked the kitchens best.

I've wondered what clotted cream actually is, and now I have the recipe.

Formal gardens in the front.

Out back, the gardens are more casual.

The thatched cottage behind the house looked like a perfect spot for secret assignations.

Saint Michael's Mount

This is another National Trust home.  We  took a boat to get to it.  When the tide is out you can walk to it on a causeway, much like Mont Saint Michel in France. In early days it was a monastery. The family who lives in it gave it to the National Trust and now lives there with a 999 year lease. We were able to go through the castle, but the grounds are closed one day a week for maintenance so we had to be satisfied with peeking over the battlements.  In any case it was a beautiful day for a boat ride.

The gardens drop right down to the sea.

Here's the chapel.

Caerhays Castle
Caerhays Castle is a hidden gem way off the beaten track.  We went here because a taxi driver told us it is only open ten weeks a year and it was open season now.  He thought it was not to be missed and he was right.  The drive out to the country alone was worth the effort.  This country home is nestled into a hill with the ocean at it's feet.  We went through the home.  People really do live in it, and take money from people like us to be able to afford to live here. It is large, rambling and homey.

Walking up the drive we encountered these guys.  They were very interested in us and marched toward us.  We were happy to get closer to the house and away from them.

The cows are on my right, the ocean behind me and the castle in front of me. The gardens are all behind, filled with rhododendron,  camellias and magnolia.

Lost Garden of Heligan
The final garden we saw in Cornwall is called the Lost Garden of Heligan for a reason.  It was a thriving country home and garden, but during World War I most of it's gardening staff went to war and didn't come back.  The grounds slowly slipped into neglect, the home was eventually sold to be divided into flats and the gardens were forgotten. In 1992, by chance, a hidden door was discovered under the brambles.  Further exploration revealed the bones of the garden that had once been spectacular.  In the last 25 years the gardens have slowly been uncovered and reconstructed.  A magical story and a magical place.

These green houses were hidden under brambles.

This is it for homes and gardens in Cornwall.  We thought Taylor would get a break, but............there are more homes gardens in London.

Gardening in Taipei

Those who know me know that I am an enthusiastic gardener.  I'm not an expert, but I like to get my hands dirty and surround myself with peace and nature. I also love to look at gardens and parks.  I think many people in Taipei feel the same.  However, I've got a small yard in a moderately urban setting in which to indulge my gardening needs. Taiwanese live in a crowded urban environment, most often in multistory buildings.  No matter, they find a way to enjoy greenery.

The gathering of pots next to this temple is typical of the gardening efforts of people who live on the ground floor of multistory buildings located in lanes and alleys.

This is a typical sight while walking down lanes and alleys. The planters may be official pots, or random plastic containers salvaged from the recycling truck.

Look closely at our alley. The folks who have the ground floor property have filled their garage area with trees that are poking out into the alley.

This is the lush window garden that is in our bedroom.

I've seen these living walls all around the city.  This one is at the National Taiwan University. The wall is filled with individual potted plants.

Some shops and homes are lucky to have small courtyard areas where they have created green hideaways in the city.

Can you see how this small garden is wedged right up to the building next door?

It's rare to see large open grassy areas. Perhaps that's because they are so hard to maintain.  We didn't see any riding lawn mowers.

I like discovering informal gardens on the edge of alleys,  on balconies and window ledges, and I love the formal parks. However, I think my favorite gardening experience in Taipei was the lot that I walked by every day on my way to the MRT.  When we first arrived I thought this space was an overgrown abandoned lot.  However, I started noticing people digging around in it and taking photos of the flowers.  Before long it became apparent to me that this area, overlooking the entrance to an express way, is a community garden. I hope to show by my photos the progress the community made in transforming it from a winter weed patch into a structured and welcoming green oasis.

Some local gentleman has been weeding, as you can see from the far left of the photo.

If only I could talk to the people I've seen working here.  I have so many questions. I wonder if they are an organized gardening brigade, or do people just drop in to dig as the mood dictates?  I wonder if they had a landscape plan, or is this a randomly planned garden?  Did they have to get a permit from the city? Whatever the answers, the community certainly notices and enjoys this small plot. Those who work in it, are able to indulge in their gardening needs. I know I would be among them if I lived in Taipei.

The Adventure Begins

Our bags are packed, we're ready to go.

This is more than our usual "one carry on" each. We made an exception to our rule so we could take a few items to the grand boy and his parents.

Good bye house

Good bye garden

We have great confidence that our journey will go without a hitch. We fly out of PDX at 9:30 pm on Monday night.  We arrive arrive in Taipei at 6 am on Wednesday morning. Since it's not typhoon season everything should go smoothly.  When we get there we will give our address to the taxi driver.  Yikes.  This is our new address.


台北市大安區溫州街74巷3弄2號


Our Airbnb hostess sent us these pictures of our apartment, with instructions to get the keys.

We should recognize our own front door because it it next to this book store.

This is our front door.  When we find the key, hidden in a secret place, we are to let ourselves in and take the elevator up to the third floor.

Here's our front door.

No matter what happens on the journey to Taipei, Solomon/Soup will make the trek worthwhile.

9 month birthday

More news to follow from the other side of the globe.

Alhambra

It is hard to describe the Alhambra.  It is the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain.  They lost it in 1492, when the Catholics took over.  It is an amazing fort, with palaces, gardens, baths, fountains, mosques, churches all within one huge walled city.  I tried to get good photos, but  I realized I can't do it. There are books dedicated to capturing the magic of the place.  Why would my pictures, or any of those taken by the other 8000 visitors each day, be anything special?  With a camera a person can manage to irritate those around him and actually miss the sights, sounds and smells of Alhambra.  I took plenty, but tried to put the camera away much of the time.  My pictures are only meant to spark my memory of this amazing place.

Here we are, taking a rest break at 5 in the afternoon: cafe con leche for me and Coke Zero for Taylor.  We're in the courtyard of a hotel right in the Alhambra.  I insisted we take a break before finishing our tour.  The second wind made a huge difference.

A few random memories of Alhambra:

A view of Granada from Alhambra.  We walked all over these hills the previous day.