David Austin Roses - Hidcote Manor - Warwick Castle

new David Austin rose  William and Kate

The sniff test

Serious note taking before purchase

Even the tea cups had roses on them

Jonnie with our purchases under iceberg climber

Hidcote Manor

The red garden

The lovely Richard and Rita

Amazing and perfect topiary

The Barn

Vista through tea house door

Gorgeous vista from front door of house

Quintessential English scene at Chipping Camden

Gardens of Guest Lodge at Chipping Camden with art dislpay

Street scene with Richard and Rita and Jonnie

Jonnie in serious study of roses at David Austins

Giant fortress of Warwick Castle

The cute and gorgeous Barley and french style bike

Entrance to Warwick Castle

Jonnie with wife of 4th Earls of Warwick - He had spent all her money so she was pretty disgusted with him

Sue and her trusty steed

River Avon from pump house at castle

garden scene at Knightcote Hall looking at rose bed

The tool shed - sue favourite room on the whole property

Up till now we have been thinking summer in England is a myth, but at last we have had some warm and sometimes hot days.  We are totally amazed tho by the amount of daylight in each day.  The sun rises about 4.00a.m. and sets about 10.00p.m.  When we are ready for bed we have to check the clock to make sure its not 7.30 as it sure seems like it.

Have had some long days in the gardens and are very pleased with the results and we had Susie up last weekend and she was thrilled to see it looking so loved.  We are eating newly harvested spuds - so devine with lashings of butter - Graham and Marilyn planted these before we arrived so we have them to thank for that.  Sweet peas are out and gorgeous roses and lavender borders in full bloom.

We needed to buy some roses for some of the beds so took a drive up to David Austins Nursery in Albrighton.  About and 11/2 hours north of us.  Was perfect timing as there was not a scrap of nursery and stock beds of about 15 acres that did not have flowers.   The entire car park was lined with climbers and we parked in front of a newish release called Shropshire Lad.  Nothing like Shropshire Lass but so gorgeous.  The nursery consists of enormous stock beds, a display area which you can wander around and a purchasing nursery and shop with gorgeous cafe.  There were so many roses, I did not know where to put myself and I think I buried my nose in about 90% of them.  What a success story.  I was very excited too to see that he has about 10 new releases that have been designed for bouquets so have better cut flower life.  I might need to import some and supply local florists in NZ.  It was even more exciting to be able to purchase some.  Susie likes white flowers mainly so we bought 3 Clair Austins - lovely bush rose and one climber called the Generous Gardener which is pink, but will go on the arbour where there is a gap.  He has released a lovely new white one called William and Kate - a good doer for sure.!

Spent another fantastic day at Hidcote Manor.  Rita and Richard, new friends from the hamlet here, and are such fun, took us across to this garden and then on to Dovers Hill where you get the most amazing 360degree view over the Valley of Evesham.   Part of the view is the best kept village in the Cotswolds - Chipping Camden.  It has been preserved by a trust and takes the cake for being the prettiest village in all the Cotswolds.  Lots of filthy rich business men and pop or movie stars live here, so gorgeous homes and very flash cars.

Hidcote Manor is another garden I have always dreamed of visiting.  Established by Lawrence Johnston a spoilt rich boy who was encouraged to build the garden by his dominant Mother.  He created 32 garden rooms all divided by Yew hedging with clever vistas everywhere.  Some have a focus on colour, some on scent, some on texture, some on the view, some on privacy etc.  It is a garden you need to visit each season as each growing season is spectacular in its own right.  Spring - lilacs and daffodils and blossom, Summer has abundance in herbacous borders beautifully planted.  One room smelt so beautiful with about 15 mature philadelphus trees in flower and underplanted with a mix of perennials.  The campanulas of every variety were making the most amazing show too.

Had a tasty lunch at a delightful cafe called Badgers - a favourite of Richard and Ritas. We love local recommendations. Then a wander around the pretty town of Chipping Camden which has lovely shops and a hidden garden that Richard and Rita new about, but not many people do.

Spent an afternoon visiting Warwick Castle.  It is most seriously a  defence castle as opposed to one that is filled with opulence and grandeur.  It has a comparatively small living area, but enormous walls and towers which were designed to protect the shire from  invaders.  It has a history that goes back to 1068 when a wooden keep was first built by William the Conquerer and many Earls of Warwick subsequent to that have lived there.  Several historical characters were played out by actors within the castle.  John had his photo taken with the wife of Richard Granville 2nd - (about the 4 Earl of Warwick).  The marriage was arranged by her Father for a title and of course was about her money.  The Earl was a bit strapped for cash so he had a great time spending it all and she was left penniless.  The young actress was just fabulous and displayed  her disgust at her husband with great humour but was also informative. We did laugh.  The castle hosts 5 course medieval banquets and jousting afternoons so we might try and attend one of these.  The township of Warwick is not big, but has some interesting shops, two fantastic antique centres and a pub that hums called the Rose and Crown.

Susie and Thomas spent a night here last Sunday so the cook was busy in the kitchen.  He made a simple but very very delicious soup that was passed on to us by Marilyn.  A favourite of Susies and anyone who eats it.!! Spinach and pea soup - I just love it and could eat a whole pot full myself.  He also grilled some lovely cod and dug new spuds from the garden.  Her visit meant a serious clean of all the buildings as she was bringing a decorator through.  The cook gets a little frustrated with the different heights of English door ways and his head is showing some signs of wear and tear from constant bashing of same.  However he is loving the gardening life too.

We have a huge surplus of hours so are off to Bergerac, France,  this Thursday until Tuesday.  Are staying with our friends we stayed with exactly a year ago.  English people who have build a new but old style house and staying there is like being at the Ritz. They are better than perfect hosts too.  Temps are about 28deg as is their pool, so had to buy a new new swim suit.  So looking forward to a few days off and away!

Still enjoying walking that cutest of dogs Barley - and the bike is fantastic.  New, but old french style with a basket that you have to sit on with a straight back and quite large.   Next time I write - we will hopefully have a sun tan from  France.  Cheers, The Cook and the Gardener.