Travel Archives - Page 2 of 25

VISIT TO CLIFTON NURSERIES IN LONDON

By Libby|2019-06-27T16:50:52-04:00June 27, 2019|Garden, Travel|

Our visit to
Clifton Nurseries
was an unexpected and delightful surprise.

I had never heard of it, nor had I been to this part of London. It is near the Little Venice neighborhood and the tube stop is Warwick Aveneue.

It is set back behind and between so many gorgeous and beautiful London houses and, if you didn’t know about it, could almost be missed as it is set back like a private park.

What a hidden gem it is! A bit like Petersham Nurseries I would say, on a smaller scale. And from their website it seems the main business is landscape design. But the variety of plants, furniture, garden tools of all kinds, baskets, topiaries, succulents and gifts is wonderful. The selection of pots, garden tools, water features and furniture is amazing and a bit overwhelming!

I need this furniture!!!

Loved these wire animal topiaries!

I have been looking for ages to buy these metal plant supports but cannot find them anywhere in the States. If you know how to find them, please let […]

A WEEK IN CORNWALL

By Libby|2019-06-23T14:37:10-04:00June 23, 2019|Travel|

We have wanted to visit Cornwall for a very long time. When our daughter was small we had started to plan a trip but thank goodness we never went. We a) didn’t really have enough information to make good decisions as to where to stay b) traveling with a child is very difficult; it would have been awful! c) we did not realize the energy involved in not being able to drive i.e. all those trains and buses and stairs and tickets.

Now, with daughter in London and the many new friends I have made through the Makelight course based on London, we felt ultra prepared to go to this beautiful part of the world!

I looked at many, many hotels. We are picky…but in a very certain way. I don’t spend a lot of money. Period. Yes, travel is quite expensive almost no matter how you do it. But to spend say $400 a night for a hotel is out of the question for us. Even $300. So that narrows the field. I know, these are “first world problems.” I am very aware of that. On the other hand, we are older folk. While we are very fit, we just do not want to climb flights of stairs or feel cramped and […]

TRENGWAINTON GARDEN IN CORNWALL

By Libby|2019-06-20T14:11:16-04:00June 20, 2019|Friday Flowers, Garden, Travel|

We’re back from our two week trip to England!
So much to say and show (of course) and so little time. I’ve thought about how to best show all that we did and saw while across the pond. Gardens and gardening are, of course, central to my travel plans so I am starting with this post. We moved around several times which we now realize was a mistake. It is tiring. Packing and unpacking, catching trains and buses, dragging suitcase up long hills and then trying to relax. We are not tour people partly for this reason; we prefer to stay in one place and really settle in. With that said… I will begin with our stay in Cornwall.

Our longest stay was in Mousehole. Cute name, no? Well, it is NOT pronounced as it is spelled (much to my husband’s disappointment) The correct pronunciation is mow-zel . Got it?

This entire area, for those who are not familiar, is the southwest corner of England. To the west is the Atlantic ocean and to the south the beginning of the English Channel.

So much to see! But without a car (we just cannot imagine driving on the other side of the road..) we were somewhat limited; trains and buses are fine but can get […]

FRIDAY FLOWERS: RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

By Libby|2019-05-23T20:16:30-04:00May 23, 2019|Friday Flowers, Travel|

It’s happening:
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show!!!

Someday, maybe, I will get there. In the meantime I read all about it on all social media, and now can watch it streaming live. If you have Britbox you can access it there. Or, just go to YouTube.

Here is Episode 1 which was broadcast on Monday afternoon.

Each of these episodes is about an hour. They will give you great commentary (including Monty Don) and a really thorough tour of the gardens.

Then there is Alexandra’s blog, The Middle Sized Garden, and her latest post:
Small Garden Design Inspiration from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Alexandra does a really nice job here of highlighting the many new themes and ideas at the show this year. Definitely worth watching and listening:

So much of London is decked out this week with beautiful flowers! By the time I get there next week I think most of the squares will be emptied of these fabulous floral stage sets… but I can hope!

I will be here from time to time in the next few weeks as we travel to various parts of the UK. The weather looks fine and let’s hope it holds!

A SMALL CROSS BODY BAG

By Libby|2021-06-02T13:12:21-04:00May 19, 2019|Travel|

Have you tried to find just the right small, cross-body bag? It’s difficult!

I’ve used a cloth one for a few years. When do I use it? Well, when traveling I like to go out early in the morning to take pictures and to walk. But of course I want my iPhone with me, and probably keys, a license and some cash and a credit card. The necessaries.
But I do not want to be burdened with a large purse; and pockets are hard to come by.

Here is THE solution:

Find it on Amazon

It is, without doubt, the most perfect small cross-body bag out there! I had ordered from Anthro, from e-bags; I had looked at small stores at the mall; and had scoured Etsy. Who knew? Just go to Amazon and start a search!

The reviews were fabulous. Many people commented on the lovely, high-end packaging and I totally agree. From the handsome box to the fabric storage bag, this is quality.

And the price?$31.99. Yes, you read that correctly. And it’s available in nearly ten colors.

And this, y’all, is […]

FRIDAY FLOWERS: DIG DELVE MAGAZINE

By Libby|2019-05-16T20:33:35-04:00May 16, 2019|Friday Flowers, Garden, Travel|

Each week I await the arrival of the on-line garden magazine,
DIG DELVE

For all you gardeners out there, and all the garden geeks:

If you don’t know it, let me introduce you!
Such totally fabulous, gorgeous photography. Each week is just one subject and each week reveals beautiful images.
It is an on-line magazine written by award winning landscape and garden designer, Dan Pearson and additional writing and photography from his partner, Huw Morgan.

Last week was all about tulips.

So many, many new ideas for my tulips! He lists ten different types of tulips planted this year, with delicious, gorgeous pictures. I’ve already made note of those I will be ordering.

Today, by coincidence , I was reading my Gardens Illustrated which had just arrived and saw an article about The Delos Garden at Sissinghurst and Dan Pearson’s task to give the garden a new lease on life.
Here is the article from Dig Delve: scroll to the end to see mention of the redevelopment of the Delos garden. Having been to Sissinghurst before these developments, I am now dying to go again!

Hope you will take a look at Dig Delve and subscribe […]