Bull Farm Oast

Autumn Walk in Bedgebury Pinetum

Andrew — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:18:34 +0000

Some photos from a recent walk through the Pinetum. We can reach this by following bridal ways and footpaths from the end of Bishops Lane, which passes our gate.

Bedgebury forest and the pinetum are open all year, and have concerts in the summer months. Cycling in the forest is very popular all year round.


Amazing autumn colour in our back garden taken a month ago, sadly all the leaves have now fallen. View at Picasa Amazing autumn colour in our back garden taken a month ago, sadly all the leaves have now fallen.29-Oct-2011 12:21
A rather good logo! View at Picasa A rather good logo!31-Oct-2011 16:24
Gorgeous rich autumn colours in Bedgebury. View at Picasa Gorgeous rich autumn colours in Bedgebury.31-Oct-2011 16:30
Lovely reflections at Bedgebury. View at Picasa Lovely reflections at Bedgebury.31-Oct-2011 16:40
The Lake at Bedgebury Pinetum. View at Picasa The Lake at Bedgebury Pinetum.31-Oct-2011 16:42

Bodiam Castle with old friends.

Andrew — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:19:49 +0000

We had a visit from old friends from South Africa, who we had not seen for 23 years. Andy and Graham had started Primary School together more than 60 years ago and we took the opportunity of their visit to show them another local attraction, Bodiam Castle. We enjoy taking our dog, Lettie for walks around the castle, but she is disappointed about not being allowed inside!

A view of the Rother Valley, taken from Bodiam car park.

The mystical castle across the moat.

Andy and Maureen crossing the moat.

While we were in the castle Prue and Lettie circle the moat.

All back together, a photo of the group, taken by Prue.

Andy, Graham, Maureen and Pauline reminiscing over old school pictures.

Sissinghurst Gardens open this year.

Andrew — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:04:10 +0000

We are fortunate to have so many National Trust Properties around us in the south east, none closer than the wonderful Sissinghurst Gardens, almost on our doorstep. We were able to visit for the final time last year, on the closing day, and were back on a beautifully sunny day last Saturday for this years reopening.

The first thing we noticed was that they have purchased a new transport buggy to take those who need it, to and from the car park to the entrance. Apparently it was part funded from the proceeds of the raffle!

Also new this year is a introductory talk given 4 times a day on the Plain, in front of the ticket office. An interesting talk called Family Ties, giving a brief history of the property and the families that have lived at Sissinghurst. Most enlightening and worth trying to catch.

Prue enjoyed taking some pictures of the garden in its early awakening stage, and look forward to seeing it soon in its full glory.

The board as you go in showing the gardeners tasks.

The orchard with some of the early spring flowers.

The cottage garden almost dormant

The cottage garden last July

The lime walk

The purple border is also just awakening.

January visit to Dungeness

Andrew — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:08:47 +0000

Last Sunday was such a beautiful winters day, so we decided to indulge ourselves, and have a fish and chips lunch at the famous Pilot Inn at Dungeness. After our hearty meal, we and our dog, set off to get some exercise and explore the wonderful scenery. Again we are happy to share some of our photos with you.

Prue on the stoney beach with our dog, Lettie.

A fishermans hut

Derek Jarman's cottage with the raised verse on the wall.

The Romney,Hythe and Dymchurch train about to leave on last homeward journey of the day

A full head of steam, and off we go.

Chug, Chug and Chug.....

The sun is setting, and time to wend our way home.....

PS a quick snap of the newest lighthouse as we pass by

Autumn Visit to Scotney Castle

Andrew — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:11:53 +0000

Moving around the moat, the castle from a different angle

At the end of Oct 2010 we visited Scotney Castle to see the autumn colours. We were fortunate in the weather and Prue took some fabulous pictures which I set out below for you to enjoy. We look forward to May when the Azelias are at their peak.

Looking across the moat.

Scotney Castle

Lovely Reflection

Another view across moat of autumn colours

A final picture

Merriments Gardens

Andrew — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:41:17 +0000

On Saturday the 24th April we visited another of our favourite gardens near us, Merriments Gardens. This garden covers about 4 acres, and is always worth a visit. This visit was to see the most marvelous display of tulips of every imaginable colour, as well as many trees in full blossom. The gardeners have really laid out an incredible display. We like the way they label most of the plants in the garden so we can choose those we would like for our own garden.

The garden should be visited several times a year, as, as summer progresses, so does the garden!

Our pictures can only give you an idea of the splendor, so please try and get to the garden soon to see them for yourself.

I managed to get a picture of Prue and our dog, Lettie, enjoying the view from one of the many benches scattered around the garden:

We often sit quietly in the bird hide to see the some of the over 25 species of birds that feed right in front of you.

The site has a garden terrace restaurant, fantastic nursery and gift shop to fill your every need.

Finchcocks visit on Kent Big Day Out

Andrew — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:09:58 +0000

We applied on the ballot for this years Kent Big Day Out event and were fortunate to get our preferred venue, Finchcocks Musical Museum just outside Goudhurst. Due to a prior engagement for lunch we only made the second half of a most enjoyable afternoon, starting off with a cream tea in the cellar restaurant. We then spent time looking at the collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments and some of their collection of photographs and prints.

We then assembled for a memorable musical recital by Richard Burnett, Gary and Alastair.

A selection of our photographs:

A view of the back of the Georgian house.

At last the daffodils in the lovely gardens are in bloom. Very late this year.

A view of three of the pianos on display

John Broadwood and Sons London 1845 concert grand piano in amboyna wood

We are assembling for the demonstrations and recitals.

Richard on the Adam Beyer 1777 square piano playing a sonato.

Gary and Richard - a duet

A five hand piece by Richard, Gary and Alastair

The recital concluded by Finchcocks curator Alastair Laurence entertaining us with two pieces including Springdance from Bergen.

Please include Finchcocks in your itinary when visiting Kent- opening times are on their website:

www.finchcocks.co.uk

Some of this years events:

Midsummer Music

June 13: Baroque Music
June 20: ‘Desert Island Songs’ with baritone Stephen Varcoe and pianist Christina Lawrie
June 27: Clavichord Recital with Marcia Hadjimarkos
July 4: The Regency Duo – Jane Austen programme
July 11: Primavera
July 18: Tallis Chamber Choir

August Bank Holiday – Pleasure Gardens Gala

August 29 & 30: ‘Dr Arne at Vauxhall Gardens’

Autumn Festival

Sept 10-12: The English Organ (concerts, talks & workshop)
Sept 17-19: Chopin Anniversary Celebrations
Sept 24: Bel Canto recital with tenor Simon Edwards
Sept 25: A Feast of Victoriana
Oct 2: Concert by winners of the Broadwood Competition
Oct 3: Finals of the John Kerr Award

Christmas Concerts

Dec 5: Young Performers’ Recital in aid of Save the Children
Dec 12: Primavera: Country House Concerts
Dec 19: Friends of Finchcocks Concert – The Tivoli Band

Sissinghurst Gardens opens for the new season

Andrew — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:04:11 +0000

Monday 15th March

We made our first visit of the year to Sissinghurst . After the cold winter all the spring bulbs are much later than last year, but we were pleased to see the abundance of crocus, snowdrops and winter aconite in glorious bloom. It was a lovely day with plenty of sunshine.

We enjoyed seeing the garden in this early stage as we are so used to seeing the huge variety of flowers that we are used to in mid summer. We share below some of the photographs we took today.

The spring garden or the Lime Walk as it is also known.

A close up of a bee enjoying the early blooms:

A view of the Orchard where in a few days the daffodils will share this space: (we will update the picture when they are out in a new posting)

The Sissinghurst farmers market made its first appearance of the year. It will then be on the first Monday of every month. Come and buy some of the wonderful local produce.

We were also pleasantly surprised to see tables and chairs out in the open for us to enjoy lunch or tea from the Granary Restaurant, most of the vegetables and salads are grown on site during the summer. This is a recent innovation.

The winter aconite (Eranthis Hyemalis) in bloom:

26th June 2009

Andrew — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:10:17 +0000

Bull Farm Oast is in Cranbrook, Kent and is near Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and

Pashley Manor gardens. Other gardens to visit nearby include Merriments,

Marle Place and Hole Park. We are centrally situated for a number of National

Trust Properties in Kent and East Sussex. Please come and stay with us as a central base to explore the area.

We look forward to meeting you!

14th May visit to Pashley Manor Gardens

Andrew — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:10:51 +0000

We were fortunate to be invited to join a tour of Pashley Manor Gardens

We assembled on the lawn in front of the Tudor house and were introduced to Pashley Manor Gardens by Mr James Sellick, the owner.

Tudor House built in the 1500's

The tour took us via the new visitor centre into the garden where we were fortunate to see the sculptures arranged around the garden for sculpture week which is running from the 16th to 28th May 2009. Some of the pictures we took are set out below:

One of the statues amongst the flowers.More of the garden.

Mr J Sellick, 2nd from left, explaining a point

Our cream teas, on the terrace.

The Georgian facade covered in wisteria and banksia rose

Piggy back by Mary Cox

Mr Bennet's Daughter by Philip Jackson.

Sarah by Jenny Wynne-Jones

Boy

Horse

Manta Rays by James Milborrow

Future events are :

The Rose weekend 12-14th June

Kitchen garden weekend 3-5th July