Visit to Nymans Gardens 13 August

I would like to take the liberty of adding a few words to Bro Mark's excellent set of photos below in order to celebrate a lovely trip out. With apologies, I haven't much erudite to say about all the historical and horticultural details that our guide Valerie entertained us with - they were excellent, and very interestingly presented, but unfortunately I don't trust myself to report them accurately.  Perhaps someone else can help!

I would, however, encourage any readers who get the opportunity of a guided tour of Nymans Gardens to jump at the chance.  Perhaps - like Bro Edek and myself and probably most of us who went along on Monday - you have visited Nymans many times before, but it is a different experience when you have someone explaining the background of the place to you.  Everything came alive with quite another significance, even beyond the obvious natural beauty we had enjoyed so many times before.  Well done and thank you Valerie!

During our stroll around the Gardens we learned a great deal about the horticultural approach of Nymans' gardeners both past and present and about the architectural history of the house (which in my ignorance I had always supposed to be a genuine medieval/Elizabethan structure!!).  We were shown how the present Head Gardener is trying to restore the Garden to something closer to its original vision, which has required some pulling up and thinning out but all to very good effect.  The afternoon was mostly dry although our little group did blossom forth with a display of umbrellas once or twice (well this was an English country garden in the summer, after all.)  Wide views across the Weald provided a stunning backdrop to our walk. 

We finished up with tea and excellent cakes in Nyman's cafe.  All in all a very pleasant afternoon - "time well spent" indeed.  Thank you National Trust, Nymans and Bro Mark!

Setting out, full of energy

Brother Peter shows his sensitive side

Our excellent guide Valerie

Ooh! Come and feel... it really is spongy!

Valerie shows us "The Puddle", which hopefully will be restored
to a lily-bearing garden pond once a troublesome leak is dealt with

A welcome break and a chance to enjoy the scenery

A house that was not all it seemed

Amazingly, Nymans'  extensive beds of annuals
are all planted out in one day!  The choice of date
is determined by the lunar calendar, which in turn
determines the height of the water table

The umbrellas blossom