It is almost 9 months since my visit to Edinburgh, where I finally met the restless lady who takes us on regular walks in the north-east of England and the Algarve where she spends all most some of her time. After a morning of walking the streets of the city we got on a bus and headed out to the Botanical Gardens for an hour or two.
The entrance gate is quite stunning.
Being the end of the summer season the main interest in the garden was seed heads. I found a few interesting ones.
Crab Apple – Malus sylvestris
Insects were still busy collecting the pollen.
We walked and we talked and we finally found our way to the Japanese garden area where the large lily pond enthralled us both and the red bridge enticed us further into the garden.
The not so subtle smell of candyfloss was in the air (Cercidiphyllum japonicum, known as the Katsura Tree) and the leaves on the acers were turning.
Eventually we arrived at the huge glasshouses, but decided against paying to enter as it was such a glorious day after the cold, damp, dreich day before and we wanted to make the most of being outdoors. Besides we really didn’t have the time needed to really take in what was inside.
The borders near the glasshouses were filled with late summer planting and a variety of colourful penstemons lined the pathway to the entrance, but deep in conversation we really only fleetingly took in the beauty of this garden.
Pausing to admire the view over towards Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat in the distance. Places that in order to explore would mean another meeting as our time together drew to a close.
Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat
It was lovely to finally meet up with Jo and to share a walk with her, so it is only fitting that this post is linked to her walks 🙂
IF YOU ENJOY A WALK, LONG OR SHORT, THEN HAVE A LOOK AT JO’S SITE WHERE YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN IN WITH HER MONDAY WALKS.
Earth laughs in flowers 
Wow! This is a spectacular post. The close-ups are perfect, and the ghostly presence of Jo is rather nice too. The seed-heads are sheer delight. I hope all’s going well in your world.
I wonder what her photos of the garden are like. We sort of drifted around the garden, a bit like you and I in Eurobodalla. All progressing well. Are you on WhatsApp Meg?
No. Should I be? What is it? What benefits does it offer? Will I become addicted???
WhatsApp is just a messaging app on your phone which allows you to message people using wifi rather than the phone line (useful for me as my phone signal at home is crap). You can also send pictures and make voice calls too. All for free. If I send photos by text messaging they cost me extra.
https://www.whatsapp.com/
Oooh! My favourites are the paeonia mascula and the images of the Japanese garden….but I didn’t spot Jo!
Haha… no I didn’t take a photo of her there! But she was, honest 🙂
OK!! 😊
Hmmph! I’m pretty good at dodging a Jude when I need to, Sue. 🙂
haha…
Teehee, you feisty thing!
You didn’t dodge my lens lovely girl!!!
I confess. I didn’t even think of photographing Jo, until we were about to part company!
Not quick enough 🙂
So beautiful Jude!!
Thanks Aletta. We could have done with a whole day there – the glasshouses looked amazing!
Yet another beautiful garden, Jude. We met up with Jo too last year and I’m working on a post about our afternoon together at the moment.
I just told Jude that, Carol. 🙂 I shall keep a low profile for a while but I hope to be meeting Tish next month. More excitement!
Oh, what it must be like to be so popular!
Or good at poking your nose in? 🙂 🙂
I didn’t say that…
anyway you have such a
prettydetermined nose.It’s an added bonus of blogging.
Lovely post, and the title is so appropriate.
So many superb closeups, Jude! How can you imagine that I would dare trot out mine after this? 🙂 Thank you kindly for the mention and for your stalwart support in this enterprise. You know I have my prayer mat out for a happy outcome.
The lady doth protest too much 😉 Your photos are gorgeous!
Beautiful! Wish I was there too 😉
a magnificent garden….and you captured so many interesting and intriguing details.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
What a breathtakingly beautiful collection of photos – It must have been quite difficult to leave a place so beautiful!
I find it difficult to leave any garden! And thank you for the compliment 🙂
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