Wednesday 12 August 2020

The Distancing Diaries - Day 144 & 145


 Tuesday started as all weekdays do with a Wii Fit workout and a fruit & yogurt breakfast. Jon made sandwiches & filled the flask and, despite the gloomy start to the day, we threw caution to the wind and headed off to the outskirts of The Cotswolds without a mac or an umbrella (we like to live dangerously!) By the time we'd reached our destination the sun had burnt through the clouds and it looked set to be another gloriously warm & sunny 34°C day.


We'd last visited Upton House back in 2017 (HERE) on a bitterly cold April day. Built in 1695 by a wealthy MP, the house was bought in 1757 by the Earls of Jersey & used as a hunting lodge for over two hundred years. In 1927 the estate was acquired by the wealthy Walter Samuel, the 2nd Viscount Bearsted, who'd inherited his fortune from his father who'd owned the Shell Oil company. The house was considerably expanded & modernised to incorporate the Art Deco styling Lord & Lady Bearsted adored. The Upton Estate was donated to National Trust in 1948.


Again my outfit accidentally ended up matching the surroundings.

WEARING: Vintage 1970s Anokhi block printed sundress, Lotta from Stockholm clogs, vintage tooled leather bag, 1970s Christian Dior sunglasses.



Built from the local yellow sandstone, the sun always looks like its shining on Upton House. The perfect symmetry of the exterior makes me giddy with joy.




The main attraction of Upton is the gorgeous outside space, a shady yew walk, a huge lawn with cedar trees sweeping down from the house and a seemingly endless terraced garden. There's a large lake, filled with water lilies nestling in a small valley alive with the cries of moorhens and frogs & a large bog garden. Although the kitchen garden was closed (Covid measures!) and the herbaceous borders had been neglected during lockdown it was still absolutely beautiful. In use since the 12th Century, the gardens were transformed by Kitty Lloyd-Jones (1898 -1978) for Lady Bearsted in the 1920s & 1930s. Kitty was the first woman to earn a living as a garden designer & nurseywoman. More about her HERE.
















After eating our lunch we headed back home and spent the rest of the day basking on the lawn in the glorious sunshine. 


Tea was Greek-style spinach & Feta cheese parcels with salad. After I'd watered the garden we watched another episode of The Lawyer until Jon got a tune in his head and had to shut himself away in his music room. I caught up with Blogland with a spectacular electrical storm raging overhead.

WEARING: Gingham embroidered cotton midi (with pockets!) bought new from Zara's sale in 2017, cheesecloth batwing blouse & 1970s Greek souvenir bag (both charity shopped), sunglasses & vintage suede belt (car boot sales), Lotta from Stockholm clogs

On Wednesday (day 145) I was up at just after 6am. My Wii Fit told me that it was my 3900th workout. How time flies! I pottered around outside deadheading my geraniums until Jon joined me for breakfast. Originally we'd been told to expect rain so Jon's plan was to fit the skirting boards in the kitchen but the forecast had now changed to another day of sunshine and 35°C heat so we headed off to a garden centre instead.


Although I'd used their delivery services during lockdown, we'd not visited Pipers before and although it was a half-an-hour drive away we'd been so impressed with the quality of the plants (and their prices) we'd had from them back in the spring we thought it was worth the trip.


My intention was to buy some perennial plants for late Summer colour and after researching both the Gardener's World & RHS websites arrived at Piper's armed with a list of possibles. Despite many distractions, I settled on Phygelius Moonraker, Ceratostigma Plumagioniodes (which seems to grow in every garden in the neighbourhood except for ours), Cosmos Chocamocha, Black-eyed Susans, Delphinium Pagan Purples and Dusky Maidens, Geranium Tiny Monster and Scabiosa Misty Butterfly


We also bought a tray of lollo rosso lettuce & red cabbage plants as well as three pots of strawberries.


On the way back home we popped in at Liz and Al's for a coffee and a catch-up. Remember the sketch she'd done a few weeks ago? Here's the completed painting. I wonder what pose she'll have us doing next?!

Frank's been defending his territory again, he's got the battle scar to prove it.

Back at home we had a bowl of noodles, gave the lads some lunch - due to the heat they're eating little and often - and spent the rest of the day on the lawn until the rumble of thunder had us running for cover.

I'm really enjoying Cathedral of the Sea, an absorbing historical epic translated from Spanish & set in Medieval Barcelona.

We've got veggie sausages with sweet potato fries and vegetables for tea. I'm not sure what we'll be watching later but I know for certain that, as it's Wednesday, rum will be involved!

Stay safe & see you soon!

67 comments:

  1. The thunderstorm last night was incredible. I recorded some of the thunder rolls!Then later, the electrical storm happened and it was mesmerising. Apparently, me old Ma was out in her pj's at 1am watching it!!I was watching for the Perseid shower too but tiredness got the better of me. You absolutely must buy that painting. I think it must be you and Jon to a 't'. I'm watching 'Blood of the Clans' because Neil Oliver is another favourite of mine. 'Harlots' can wait for another day. I love all of your new planting, especially the Chocolate Cosmos. Have a good Wednesday evening, both and feline friends.xxx

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    1. Wednesday night's was even better! I love them, don't you? The more you tell me about your Mum, the more I like her!
      Isn't that painting fab?
      We've just found a series with Monty Don travelling around the world's best gardens, Mexico and Cuba last night, loved it.
      I loved the colour of those cosmos! xxx

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  2. Hi there! Upton House and the gardens are beautiful, as is the dress you're wearing! So exciting living with a musician/composer! Our friend's wife is a writer and she's always disappearing when inspiration strikes! Glad you're enjoying "Cathedral of the Sea"! When all of this Covid disaster blows over (which I'm sure it will sooner or later), we invite you to come to Barcelona and we can take you on a special guided tour of "Santa Maria del Mar" and the other historical places which appear in the book. I've also been to the garden centre this week. It's confirmed, plants are addictive, If you get time, you might like to check out this video (only 4 mins) about Summer Rayne Oakes (Yes, that's her real name!) who lives in an appartment in New York with over 500 plants, love it!! She has a youtube channel "Plant One On Me" and is also on Instagram. I'm almost as addicted to the videos as I am to the plants! Have a great week, stay safe! xxx

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NwD7VjxZ_A

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    1. Hi Diana. I saw your link and watched the video and really enjoyed it! Thank you for introducing me to "the crazy plant lady".

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    2. Hi, you're welcome, if you're a plant lover, you'll love it!

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    3. Thanks so much for that video, Diana! What a fabulous woman (and flat!), I really do have houseplant envy.
      I will have to take you up on that kind offer for an escorted visit to Barcelona to see all the places mentioned in Cathedral of the Sea. I've had to slow down my reading as I don't want it to end.
      Hope your eye is okay! xxx

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    4. My pleasure, on both counts! My eye's perfect now, thanks!

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    5. That's good to know about the eye! I'm now obsessed with Summer Rayne Oakes. xxx

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  3. I love your blog. Inspirational for healthy food, looking your best, and living sustainably. I have a lot to learn.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandra, you are kind. xxx

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  4. That's a really touching painting Vix. It is going to look lovely on your wall

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    1. Isn't it fab? It's not ours (sadly), we were just the models. xxx

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  5. Hi there Vix! Love these virtual outings you kindly take us all on. Kitty sounds like she was not only a groundbreaker but a nice person. "Informal and chatty" hmm she would have been my sort of person. Lovely pics. Wow your haul from the garden centre is fab and will bring even more colour to your garden. I think our garden is beginning to look "tired" must get back to work when this glorious heat relents. This is so much like Queensland weather at the mo. I was smiling to myself this am hanging out the washing I was greeted by my hibiscus bush with so many flowers that had opened over night. Now, that painting by your talented friend Liz is afantastic! and from what of got to know of you through blogland seems to capture your carefree spirit. Wonderful. Love the clothes again more blue! Enjoy your rum Shazxx

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    1. Hello, Shaz! Wasn't Kitty an interesting character? Her smile radiates warmth and kindness. The garden at Upton has such a wonderful feel to it.
      I was really good at the garden centre, I could easily have gone completely wild but thought I'd just concentrate on some late summer & Autumnal blooms rather than go off tangent like I usually do!
      Fancy us having Queensland weather! This time last year I was at a festival in Herefordshire wearing a sheepskin hat and thermal leggings!
      Isn't that painting joyful?
      I wore blue again today, it's becoming a habit! xxx

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  6. You found another beautiful garden to look around, it looked very peaceful and I love the mellow Cotswold stone house. You obviously came home inspired because you've chosen some lovely perennials for your garden.
    We haven't had the thunderstorms yet and the heat today has been oppressively waiting to break you could cut the air.
    The lads look like they've found a cool spot under Gilbert. Ziggy looks a bit bedraggled, he's stayed inside most of the day looking for cool corners to flop in.
    Have a good evening, whatever you watch the accompanying rum sounds good! xxx

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    1. I love Cotswold stone, one of the joys of trading at the Cornbury Festival is the journey through the beautiful Cotswold villages and the stunning houses built from the local stone. No wonder all the rocks stars retire there!
      Poor Ziggy! Our storms were really violent last night and poor Frank was out in it the whole time, he didn't half shout when he came back home. xxx

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  7. I love that you have nights to look forward to like Wednesday, r rum and cola night. If this Covid stays on longer, whihc we all know it will, I won't be going out so I need to build in little rituals. You inpsire me. The pool caught my eye on the property-it looked well maintained and not old, so wondered if people use for swimming in normal years?

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    1. Thanks, Sam! Our rituals have helped keep us sane, I think. It's easy to lose track of what day it is so it really helps to have a bit of a routine.
      The pool was built in the 1920s, last time we visited it was being restored. We wondered if it was ever used, it seemed such a shame to see it empty. xxx

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  8. I cant wait for a big electrical storm over the woods-it's so humid here. I love that painting your friend has done of you both, she has a very distinctive style and have noticed you have another by her. You're so well dressed on your days out and so disciplined with the packed lunch and all - your garden centre purchases are great choices,

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    1. We had the mother of all storms last night, it was amazing, pitch black at 7pm! My poor geraniums took a right old battering in all the rain!
      I've sat for Liz many times over the years but it was a first for Jon. Once a couple of ladies told me that they'd seen me on display in our art gallery, they recognised me from Liz's artwork.
      We always take sandwiches wherever we go - we've even been known to take them on long haul flights! xxx

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  9. Oh my, Liz’s painting is just wonderful. I love how she has captured your movement.

    That storm was amazing wasn’t it? We started watching about 10pm and came inside an hour later when the rain arrived. There was another hour of watching through the window (big kid!) and I got to sleep about midnight - and was woken at 3.00am by the biggest flash and crash of the night.

    Think we might be in for another tonight - I have heard thunder rumbling down in the fells all afternoon.

    Well done for making the effort to get more late flowering plants . . . fancy coming to do my garden?

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    1. Hi Jayne! isn't Liz's painting fabulous? Jon thought he'd do his back in posing like that, thank goodness it only required a quick photo!
      I absolutely love storms, they're just so mesmerising. Last night's (Wednesday) was really fierce and like you, I do get a bit over-excited.
      I'd happily come and do your garden, I love your part of the world! xxx

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  10. Thought for a moment the wall the green door was your garden wall Vix.My lily once lept into a lily pond at a Country Manor-I was so embarrassed,she somehow somersaulted out of her harness x

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    1. I'd love a green door in our garden wall although I'm not sure how the neighbours would feel about it!
      How naughty of Lilly to dive into that pond! I didn't see any dogs at Upton, unusual for a National trust visit, maybe it was a bit too hot for them. xxx

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  11. There was an amazing electrical storm here too. I put out all the lights to enjoy the dramatic flashes which persisted until the early hours. Vix, I absolutely love the painting Liz did of you and Jon. I am so envious of creative people - "Jon got a tune in his head", wow! My head is filled with fluff. The gardens are stunning and your own is getting better and better! I need to think of some autumn colour too. My garden is definitely a late spring/early summer flowerer. I rely on my annuals for colour after that. Today was glorious here. We haven't been having the same heatwaves as you southerners. As I live on the east coast, often there is haar or a sea breeze which can be both a blessing and a curse!!! Another very enjoyable blog, Vix.

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    1. Hi Catmac! Aren't storms exciting? I just love them, I can watch for hours.
      Unlike Liz & Jon, I haven't got a painterly or musical bone in my body. I have to hang around with them and be artistic by association.
      I've enjoyed the changes in the garden so much this year and just want the fun to continue so hopefully these perennials will keep me entertained for a few years.
      I'm glad you're enjoying some lovely weather, it's been marvelously hot here although i know it's not everyone's thing (I should have been born a lizard!) xxx

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  12. I love how all of the NT properties are so unique. We really are lucky to have such an organisation to take care of them.

    Liz's painting is fabulous. She is so talented. I bought one of her small flower pictures and it always makes me smile when I look at it.

    It's lashing down here right now, but the temperature has dropped which is something of a relief even though I love the sun.

    I've just checked out the YouTube channel that Diana recommended. It looks so inspiring. I can see a happy time ahead watching those videos! :)

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    1. Wasn't it lovely of Diana to share a link to that YouTube channel? What an inspiring lady Summer is!
      I love how every National Trust garden is so different, each with their own personality.I remember being captivated by Upton House's garden even in the Winter, I'm not sure what it is about it but you just get a really relaxed feeling wandering around it. It feels like it was created with love rather than to impress.
      Wasn't last night's storm amazing? xxx

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  13. Hi Vix great to see your latest outing very interesting. We had the super storm over my part of the aWest Midlands last night and now we are having another throw of it, at least we won’t have to water the gardens! Keep Well Brummie Sue

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    1. Hello Sue, lovely to hear from a fellow West Midlands lass (like my friend Annie, also from Brum!) We got a right old drenching last night, didn't we? Nice to have a night off from the hosepipe! xx

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  15. Love the way that you and Jon have turned the Lockdown into a beautiful way of life; very inspiring. And I enjoyed "going out" with you to another historical home.

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    1. It's my pleasure having you join us! I've just been watching British gardener, Monty Don travel around the gardens of New Zealand, you've got some amazing plants in your wonderful country! xxx

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  16. So much to admire here! Liz's watercolor, your combining the gingham midi with a vintage belt that echoes the hem design, the impressive wall of wisteria -- and the heartening news that Jon still makes music, even in the pandemonium of this pandemic.

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    1. Hello, Beth! Yes, Jon still gets hit with the urge to create even in these strange times! xxx PS I love that you noticed my belt!

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  17. More gorgeous gardens! I like a slightly overgrown garden and appreciated seeing all the walls and greenery - I love that lone green door. Fabulous pink sundress!

    I did a double-take at your retail Zara skirt! But then, it is cotton, and pockets!! are the best.

    Frank, share that board, you lump!

    That painting is amazing. What a wonderful gift to treasure!

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    1. I loved the slightly overgrown and unkempt look and the green door reminded me of The Secret Garden, my favourite childhood book!
      I know, proper retail! It was a website I'd never visited before and I knew that skirt had to be mine, pockets and a really useful shirred waistband, perfect for scorching hot Summer days (that's why I usually take it to Greece).
      Frank is such a greedy boy, he even stole Jon's deckchair today! xxx

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  18. Time flies indeed! Just dropping by to check you and Jon are okay. I am always reassured when I read you are doing Wii Fit and visiting NT properties. I have dropped off the edge of the flat earth of social media (apart from a bit of Instagram!). Upton looks lovely, oh for a dip in that pool! You were bringing the style as always in your block print sundress.

    What a gorgeous selection of plants you have there, some lovely choices.

    Xx

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    1. So lovely to hear from you, Sarah! Hope you, Chris and little Otis are well, happy and healthy.
      We're still living (and loving) the lockdown life, venturing out to NT gardens and a fortnightly foray to the charity shop.I haven't looked at Instagram for months, with increased blogging I just don't have the time. xxx

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  19. I love the garden, sometimes when Mother Nature is left to do its thing it can still look Beautiful. I can move again! I know the exact pain jon goes through, I have been like this throughout my life but it still knocks you off your feet.
    Liz always catches you so well. I had a look at the portait my friend did of us all those years ago I told you about.
    I honestly don’t know how they do it. More personal than a photo any day.
    I love the skirt Zara is ok, but still part of the nasty lindex group. Even if I did find their brand lefties irresistible when I was in gran caneria In February this year before everything blew up and went horribly wrong.
    I still have my fingers crossed for you and I do hope you get out there but it sounds grim over there now.
    Take care love and huggs allie

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    1. It is such a beautiful garden despite the overgrown, slightly wayward look to it. So good to see it in both snow & 34°C heat!
      Glad to hear that things are easing up for you. Jon's been good for a while but he's been crawling around on his knees attaching skirting board today so god knows what a state he'll be in tomorrow.
      Don't you envy people who can draw & paint? I wouldn't know where to start?
      I went in a Zara shop three years ago (my first and only visit) I love that skirt and occasionally see some lovely pieces in chazzas (back in the days BC).
      Grim? What have I missed?
      Loads of love, xxxx

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  20. Hello, only just found your blog and want to say ‘thank you’ for the beautiful images. Yours clothes are fab! Beth. x

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    1. Thanks so much, Beth! Lovely to hear from you. xxx

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  21. I love how you group your photographs together, it enables me to really get a picture of the gardens you visit.
    The painting is gorgeous. What a beautiful moment to have captured. X

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    1. Thanks, Jules! I love making collages. I'm often overwhelmed with how many lovely things there are to look at in the gardens we visit but by playing around with collages a theme often emerges that I hadn't previously noticed. xxx

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  22. Lovely garden and even more lovely that you could enjoy it in a sunny day!. This property looks really stunning! and it's so delightful that your pink sundress matches the garden colors!. Looking gorgeous and summery!
    So interesting to meet the pioneer gardener Kitty!
    Love the gingham skirt, it ticks all the right boxes (cotton, gingham, embroideries And pockets!), totally amazing!, and you look fabulous in it!. Love the blue bag and the white blouse and so cute touch of orange color in your clogs!, Delightfully Summery!
    Loving to see all these flowers, a feast of color!. So fab photos!. Also lovely to see Liz's art, she is so talented!, this picture totally captures a joyful moment!.
    Curiously, I haven't read this book, probably because it was a bestseller, very popular and this usually discourages me (I'm so snob!, totally my fault, as this book looks really thrilling!)
    besos

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    1. We've never been to a National Trust garden in the midst of a heatwave before! I loved it in the winter but visiting in the height of Summer was magical.
      That gingham skirt is usually my Greek holiday outfit but it was hotter than Greece yesterday so it seemed only right to put it on.
      I'm often put off by the hype surrounding popular books, films and TV shows, too. I'd not heard of the book before buying it but I recommend it, it's a a real page turner and learning about both the architecture, politics and traditions of medieval Barcelona is fascinating. xxx

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  23. Upton House looks fascinating . The gardens are wonderful in their slightly unkept state. Kitty was certainly ahead of her time and sounds so charming and professional. So good to see so much garden colour , best of luck with the late Summer plants.
    Liz's picture is such a joyous capture of you both. As usual your outfits are wonderful, clever you co-ordinating again. Enjoy your week.

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    1. Upton House is fabulous, there's something about that garden that just feels so relaxed and wonderful. Kitty sounded such an interesting woman, I bet Lord & Lady Bearsted were the talk of the county employing not only a woman but a working class woman to design their garden! xxx

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  24. What a lovely painting of the two of you :-)

    I love your dress in the first photos, and yes you matched the gardens so perfectly.

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    1. Thanks, Sue! We had a real giggle trying to pose for the painting.
      I don't wear much pink but I knew I had to get that dress when it popped up on eBay. xxx

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  25. What a beautiful painting Elizabeth made of the two of you! It must be great to have such an artist for a friend. Beautiful painting for sure.
    How nice that you outfit once again matched the place you were visiting. That Anokhi dress is so pretty and it matches the flowers perfectly. It is a lovely place for sure. The gardens are magnificent. Upton House is beautiful. Who needs to go inside when the gardens and the outdoors are so wonderful. How nice that the Uptown Estate was donated to National Trust. Fun to learn about the first female garden designer!

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    1. It's a fab painting, isn't it? I've done all manner of poses for her over the years although it was a first for Jon!
      I love it when my outfits seem to pick up colours in the gardens we visit. I really adore Upton House's garden, the overall effect is just so wonderfully calming. xxx

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  26. Yet another garden full of desirable plants and planting ideas! No wonder you were off to the garden centre the next day. I can't for the life of me understand why we didn't visit Upton House when we were staying in Oxfordshire! The Anokhi sundress you wore is delightful. You made some excellent choices at the garden centre, including some of my favourites, like the Scabious and the chocolate Cosmos. Isn't it amazing that they actually smell of chocolate? We've got two pots of them in our garden and the bees are going mad over them. Apparently the grow wild in Mexico, although when I showed them to my boss, who is Mexican, he'd never heard of them. I love Liz's completed painting which I'd already seen on Instagram. She is very talented. I'm swooning over your gingham midi skirt and how fabulous it looks combined with the orange Lottas! xxx

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    1. Upton House seems to be one of those overlooked gems. The gardens are wonderful and if you ever get the chance to visit, the silver Art Deco bathroom was the best I've ever seen!
      I wore that dress at the last minute, I must have had a sixth sense about the pink roses!
      How funny. I didn't know about the scent of those cosmos and just had to dash outside to give them a sniff, they really do smell of chocolate!
      How funny about your boss not knowing about cosmos. We've just discovered a series on the BBC i-player where Monty Don travels the world visiting gardens, he was in Mexico last night.
      I missed the instagram unveiling of our picture!
      I had to have that Zara skirt, so unlike me to buy new! xxxx

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  27. The green gate in the wall always makes me think of "The Secret Garden" which I loved reading when I was a child. Arilx

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    1. That's exactly what I thought - it was my favourite book, too. Remember the 1970s TV series? Absolute magic. xxx

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  28. Thank you for another "Virtual outing" - Upton House looks quite lovely, especially the gardens. I really like Liz's painting of you and Jon - the spontaneity of the pose makes it such a personal piece. I like your gingham skirt - I'm not much of a fan of small-check gingham but I do like a bold print like that one.

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    1. Thanks, Shelley! Upton House was such a lovely place to visit, the gardens were just wonderful.
      Liz's painting is amazing, isn't it? Jon thought he was going to put his back out swinging me about like that.
      I'm not keen on small check gingham either, it reminds me of school uniforms and line dancing! xxx

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  29. Dark Eyed Susans grow wild all over Nebraska and this time of year they are at their peak at the side of every rural roadway. They're durable, and should work well for you. They don't require loads of water either.

    That's a wonderful painting! You both make good models!

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    1. So we've got a taste of Nebraska in the garden. I shall think of you when they bloom! The first house I bought had masses of them, I'm not sure why we've not tried growing any here before! xxx

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  30. Hi Vix, beautiful skirt and belt, and beautiful gardens on show, I love a National Trust visit also, such inspiring peaceful places,I love your blog and your home adventures, very comforting in these uncertain times. One thing I have to ask is don’t you get fed up with noodles every day? Do you flavour them or have them plain?

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    1. Thanks, Jaccs! I set the alarm this morning just in case I woke up too late and missed a slot at the NT place I want to visit next week. I'm addicted!
      We either buy the hot & spicy or veg noodles (although Jon's occasionally been known to eat the chicken ones if the shelves in Morrisons are sparse!) I don't get fed up with them, for us lunch is just fuel, tea's the meal we look forward to. Have a fab friday & thanks for commenting. xxx

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  31. beautiful house & garden! love the waterlily pond!
    and - of cause - your dress. the "greek" look is gorgeous too - a fresh breeze in this tropical heat.
    very wise to buy perennials and go with a well researched list. you found some pretty flowers!
    liz´watercolor painting is wonderful - she really captured you joy of life!!!
    xxxxx
    ps: it started raining! yay! perfect timing as i was running out of collected water......

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    1. I love the not-quite-cultivated look to that garden, it had such a good feel to it.
      Hooray for the internet, making plant research so much easier.
      We did well with our water collecting too, the rainfall was positively violent on Wednesday night! xxx

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  32. That's a lovely house - it seems smaller in scale than many NT places, like it's somewhere to really live. Grand houses always feel like the people are just rattling around in the space.

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    1. It did feel more like a home than the huge, grander ones. George Clark is doing a series on National Trust places starting on Sunday on Channel 4, should be good. x

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix