GARDEN VISITS

[ChrisB]

Very nice Kristl, must tell some friends about this one....

[ranunculus]

On the weekend of the great forum crash I posted the following article and accompanying images ... just a little bit of whimsy actually.  The drastic problems with the forum resulted in both article and photos going missing ... Maggi kindly requested that I repost ... so never one to refuse a lady, here goes....



Just experienced a surreal Bank Holiday afternoon in sunny Cheshire (U.K.) and thought I might share some of the images captured on the day.  Started brightly with another brief (but very pleasant) visit  to Vicarage Gardens (see earlier in this topic) - fortunately still trading and continuing to maintain some lovely borders.  Thirty  plus images from these gardens will commence this posting.  After a  pub lunch by the canal side in Lymm we visited Willow pool garden  centre and reclamation yard (www.willowpool.co.uk) - designed by  Man Ray and Jean Miro, built by Salvador Dali and jointly owned by  Max Ernst and Yves Tanguy (or so it would appear) this  'fantastic' (and yes, Mr Smethurst, I have considered the use of  this word) emporium is a sight for sore eyes (as Mr Dolland and Mr  Aitchison might confirm).
From the relic Blackpool illuminations outside the entrance to the  rows of asylum bathtubs in the ornamental pots arcade; from the  crumbling fairground sideshows to the assembly of ancient bikes and  perambulators in an old fernery; from an enormous (and startlingly  blue) 'my little pony' to some BEAUTIFUL stone sinks just waiting  to be planted; from the rows of bamboo native dining 'alcoves' in  the restaurant area to the yellow Reliant Robin perched on the  roof ... I could go on!
If you are in the vicinity of Lymm, have a stiff drink and  visit ... many did on Monday last but how many left with their  brains or wallets intact is another matter!!!
Images by Alberto Giacometti and Marcel Duchamp to follow at the  end of this posting!    Enjoy!

[ranunculus]

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND POSTING No. 2

[ranunculus]

BANK HOLIDAY POSTING No. 3

[ranunculus]

BANK HOLIDAY POSTING No. 4

MORE TO FOLLOW IN THE MORNING

[Maggi Young]

Thank you, Cliff. These bright shots of sunny flowers are especially warming when the weather here is so cold and wet.....does the heart good to see all those hot shades!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks Cliff - brilliant pictures as usual !
Please visit more gardens so that we can see more of these beauties... 

[ranunculus]

Thanks folks ... next batches as promised!

[ranunculus]

Another batch from Willow Pool ...

[ranunculus]

Final batch from the surreal Willow pool...

[ranunculus]

Another slightly surreal experience (could it be me) last weekend when we supported the Whitworth Rushbearing ... "The Whitworth what?"; I hear you ask!
A centuries old tradition involving the replacement of the flooring material (the rushes) in all the local churches. Traditionally held on the first Sunday in September, the parade includes local brass bands, dancing troupes, a large float (the rushcart) draped in the new rushes (or, in the case of the Whitworth cart, heather from the local moors), ribald drinking, eating and general merriment (with the police on hand to control the few less than solid citizens).

The costumed torsos and blackened faces belong to the world-famous Britannia Coconutters:-

Every Easter Saturday, no matter what the weather, the Britannia Coconut Dancers, with their blackened faces, hats like turbans decorated with rosette and coloured feathers, black jersey, red and white kilts, white stockings and shining black Lancashire clogs make a gradely sight as, accompanied by members of Stacksteads Silver Band, they keep up the tradition of dancing from boundary to boundary of the town of Bacup situated between Rochdale and Burnley. http://coconutters.co.uk/

Not being a religious soul, I was more interested in the spectacle than the significance ... but here are ten images to give you a general idea....

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I've heard of croconutters but never of Coconutters Cliff ! 
Thanks for introducing them !

[David Nicholson]

It's just the kind of thing 'Lancies' like to do. We Yorkshiremen are much better at wholesome pursuits http://www.yorkshirefirst.co.uk/denbydale/history2.html

Great set of pictures Cliff, takes me back to the Sunday School Whit Walks and the Saddleworh Band Festival.

[Lvandelft]

Just found this page. Beautiful plant pictures Cliff.
And very interesting to see the other pictures of the Garden Centre.
Had a look at their site, so I wonder if you saw some plants there too?

Sorry, there are no items currently available for sale in this section

That's what I saw when looking which plants they were selling there...

[art600]

Cliff

I never knew you had so much fun 'up north'.  You have captured the moment