Japanese Garden

First of all, I'd like to thank you all for all your lovely comments on Niall's blog post!   You are all so sweet!  I didn't realize what a great writer he is - but I think he's a natural!!   I loved his post, it was funny, practical and romantic - just like Niall!   I'm trying to persuade him to do another one so watch this space!!

On holiday in Kerry recently while flicking through a guide book we came across this garden.  It wasn't that far away from where we were staying so we went for a look.  I really wanted to check out the Japanese section of the garden as I love this style of garden and I've never actually seen one in person before, just in magazines.  This garden is called 'Dhu Verrran - it's in Milltown, Co. Kerry.  We had a lovely stroll around and enjoyed looking at the various plant collections they had - the cactus collection in one of the greenhouses was brilliant.  But my favourite section of the garden was definitely this Japanese inspired garden with koi pond, bridge and tea house.  Isn't it cute??

The black and red Japanese style bridge.  So beautiful. 

Bright blue agapanthus and a butterfly/moth??  can't tell the difference sometimes!!

It was so relaxing in the little tea house looking out at the bridge.  I would love something like this in my own garden.  It was a very calm, soothing place to be. 

View from inside the tea house looking out to the bridge.  


 

 Hope you all have a lovely relaxing weekend!

Sharon
xxxx

Smell the Roses . . .

Sign in The Garden of the Senses, Sneem, Kerry.

While on holiday in Kerry recently we visited some gardens that were open to the public.   The Garden of the Senses is a lovely garden to stroll around on a sunny day, although I would like to go back there in June when the roses are all out.

The Garden of the Senses has some lovely sculptures and signs . . .

and some beautiful roses . . .





I loved this carved seat perfectly placed among the ferns and ivy . . .  very Lord of the Rings . . .

 These roses were so delicious, I just wanted to eat them!

 I fell for this rose too - a beautiful two tone rose with lovely a lovely creamy colour on the underside of the petals . . .

In a world where everyone is so busy and life can get somewhat frazzled it is so nice to wander through a garden - slowly, carefree and drink in the scents, sounds and colours of life.  It was a lovely quiet stroll in the sunshine of marveling at the sculptures, admiring the willow tunnel and gently moving from rose to rose to capture each sweet scent.  Our little stroll took not much more than half an hour but we left smiling, holding hands and relaxed.  Now that I'm back to work and there aren't enough hours in the day to finish my ever expanding to do list, I'm trying to hold on to that carefree feeling and to remind myself that even if I'm really busy that it's good to stop and smell the roses - literally!!!!