NGS

It's open season for the National Garden Scheme, when private gardens up and down the land are opened for charity. The familiar bright yellow signs go up, directing visitors to each venue. Last month's Country Living magazine featured a promising-looking garden, half an hour or so away from our home. It was open last Sunday for the NGS and we arranged to meet our friends there.

The garden did not disappoint - but, oh, the weather! It was bitterly cold and I'm sure that it kept many people away.

This is a garden with really 'good bones'.

(And two very nice dogs.)

There was topiary that puts my pheasant to shame!

Neat box edging

and a lime walk.

Inside this lovely little building 

there is a plaque to the creator of the garden.

The whole garden is beautifully tended, not a weed to be seen and the emerging plants well staked. Do I sound envious? You bet! At the moment the weeds are definitely winning in my garden and it's too wet and cold to get out there and do anything about it.

We huddled together for warmth

But it didn't work so we went inside for tea and cake!

It would be great to return on a warm, sunny day.