The gardens at Chatsworth House are filled with beautiful flowers.
A few years ago, Peggy and I decided it would be fun to do a narrow boat tour in England and we invited her sister and brother-in-law Jane and Jim Hagedorn along. Jane has been one of my best friends forever and loves England. Even more than England, she loves English Gardens. When Jane learned we would be traveling past the Chatsworth House, she insisted that we had to stop for a visit. There were no ifs, ands or buts.
I can’t say I was ecstatic with the detour, but I was okay with it. The Chatsworth House, located in Derbyshire, is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire and wrapped in history, which always pulls me in. In the end, it wasn’t the stately home or the history that won me over, however. It was the beautiful gardens. Jane was absolutely right. I fell in love with the landscaping and even more the incredible flowers.
So, welcome to my Wednesday Photograph essay, and some beautiful flowers. Any favorites?
Of course, Chatsworth is about much more than flowers. There is the landscape, sculptures, and the house. I spent my time in the house gaping instead of taking pictures, but here are a few of the landscape and sculptures that caught my attention or amused me. And one from inside the house.
One look at this dining room convinced me that you would need one servant just to light and put out the candles!
I loved this graceful, leaping hare.
And I have never met a gargoyle I didn’t like!
I was amused by these realistic greyhounds. One seemed a bit dubious about the plant, while a bug, or maybe a strange smell, had caught the attention of the other two.
And how much more real does it get than this? (grin)
This lion seemed hyper alert. Was there a tourist on the menu? Is that drool coming out of its mouth?
And this horse seemed a bit wild-eyed about Peggy snuggling up to it. Also, check out those laid back ears!
Graceful nudes were cavorting in the garden.
The flowers went on and on…
…and each turn in the path brought on a new view. The flat section stretching across the middle is a maze. “Hold your right hand on the wall and never lift it,” Peggy advised.
These unusual forms were woven from natural vines. Jane and Peggy provide perspective.
I’ll conclude with Jane and Peggy relaxing on chairs made out of JFK coins. Be sure to join us on next Tuesday and Wednesday’s photographic essay as Jim and I pilot a 60 foot long, 8 foot wide narrow boat along picturesque English canals while Peggy and Jane operate the locks!
SATURDAY’S POST: A review of our 2017 travels… Happy New Year!
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY’S POSTS: A narrowboat tour in England: A photographic essay
FRIDAY’S POST: Back to blogging my book. I hire the family animals to protect me from ghosts.
Wandering through Time and Place 