Visit to Dawyck

To escape the plumber at home I went to Dawyck Botanical Gardens where I loved seeing the snowdrops. Sadly on the way home my exhaust fell off so the relaxing effects of the Gardens were very temporary

Dawyck Acers

It was the very last day of our Membership for Dawyck Botanical Gardens. We are not renewing at the moment as sadly dogs aren't allowed there. I already spend about 1.1/2 to 2 hours dog walking every day and don't feel I need to add any more walks to my daily programme at the moment. This morning I mainly went there to do some shopping but couldn't resist a quick tour of the gardens where the acers are putting on a spectacular show.

We will undoubtedly be back, probably in the spring when the Rhododendron and Azalea walk is looking it's best but for the moment we will be walking in the Penicuik Estate where all doggies are more than welcome.

Back in Dawyck

For the first time this year I returned to Dawyck with my camera. The garden reopened at the beginning of February but various other activities kept me mostly at home. Sadly dogs are not allowed in the Botanical Gardens which means that when I go and visit I have a day with more than 2 hours walking what with two dog walks and the gardens. Not a bad thing but definitely not something I want to do every day. Today was a good day for the first visit as the snowdrops are out (although a bit battered by the recent snow), the rhododendron buds are in sight and some are about to appear, and the sun was shining intermittently. It was very cold though with a fierce wind.

I loved being back and as it turned out I had the garden almost entirely to myself. I leave you to contemplate the images by yourself too.

Berries in Dawyck

We combined a walk in Dawyck with Christmas shopping as they had their special Christmas shopping event today. That also meant we could warm up with mulled wine, very welcome on this cold and damp day.

 The leaves are mostly down but there is a wealth of berries about.

This will probably be our last walk in the gardens this year. They will close for the winter at the end of this month.

Remembrance Sunday

Instead of the more usual poppies on Remembrance Sunday the touches of red today were provided for us by the red leaves in Dawyck as well as the red berries. The weather was damp and grey but the autumn colours were still glorious.

 The colours in these leaves that provided a river of red were amazing.

I hope to be back in the garden one more time this coming Thursday when the Christmas Shopping Event takes place. Always a treat!

Back to Dawyck

It would be a real shame to miss these wonderful autumn days at the moment so we did another walk in Dawyck today. The acers will soon be coming to an end once we get more night frost like we had overnight today but they still look fabulous at the moment.

 The leaves are also turning colour beautifully, with some of them looking like old leather.

 Above what is the most iconic image of the garden.

Today we saw another black pheasant, this time in the garden itself. The lens was stretched to it's ultimate capacity and here he is.

Autumn in Dawyck

 What could be better after visiting painted paradise gardens yesterday than to visit one in real life today. It was a fabulous day to visit Dawyck with beautiful low light. The trees are at their autumnal best and we even saw some black pheasants on our way out of the garden, sadly they were too fast for the camera but what a treat! Here are some of the best pictures of an earthly paradise:

Autumn in Dawyck

The skies on our way to Dawyck were fantastic with low mists and wonderful cloud formations above

We went to Dawyck together and I must admit I felt a strange sense of guilt. We hadn't left Rueben by himself since June of last year when we lost the greyhound, and either one or both of us kept him company at all times. To suddenly go off together for a walk seemed somehow wrong. It was however a good distraction and that's what we both need at the moment. Some of the trees have started to turn already and the light was beautiful on this lovely and sunny day.

There was a wealth of rowan berries

New chainsaw art piece

Colchicums

Dawyck in the Rain

My camera and I went on a date to Dawyck Botanical Gardens. I had a feeling that the Rhododendron and Azalea Walk would be nearing it's best and that proved to be the case. Sadly the weather wasn't very cooperative. Fortunately there wasn't anyone else about as I wrestled with my handbag, an umbrella (to protect the camera rather than me) as well as the camera. Here are the resulting pictures (or rather a selection of the best ones I took) in the order they were taken.

Blue and very wet poppy

Iris

Wild Orchid

This one has a fabulous scent

And this is my favourite colour scheme.