One says that a picture is worth a thousand words. I like words and I like to write and though I am not trained in any way and have read skilled authors and poets who can paint a beautiful image with a pen, I still believe that the heavenly colours of a Cornish Garden in spring have to be observed to do it justice. How can one use names like cerise, ruby, rosepink, magenta or violet number 1,2 or 3 when one simply wants to describe how glorious a particular Azalea looks, displaying such a vibrant block of colour which in the right sunlight and perfectly contrasted with a neighbouring plant could almost pleasantly hurt your eyes? Shades that are changing in the course of a day because of a passing cloud or vaporizing morning dew or simply because of the ageing of the flower? It can't be done, though I'm sure some will disagree.
We have currently a couple staying in our B&B who are on the quest to find the location that inspired Thomas Wood Holgate to one of his bluebell paintings. It is believed it was painted here in the woods at Bosvathick. So it appears that not only Thomas was moved to try and capture what he saw on canvas but that a century later this particular painting brought two people back to Bosvathick to see with their own eyes what he saw. The power of imagery.
The same goes for scent of course. How blessed we are to be able to enjoy this world so much more because of our senses. One simply cannot explain the excitement that rises within when during a random stroll you suddenly find your face almost touched by a wonderful scented cloud that sets you on a quest to find its owner. Like a hide and seek game where a small breeze can easily set you off in the wrong direction it cannot be denied that a garden is an amazing place that brings joy to the soul, especially when you found your treasure and with your nose deeply pressed in a trumpet flower you inhale your prize.
I really love all the beautiful wafts of perfume and even though I walk miles through the garden on a working day and therefore know exactly where all the Lady Alice Fitzwilliams are and recognize the fragrance of the wisteria growing on the house or the viburnums which were planted last year, it remains and always will be a great highlight of my day.
Below some pictures to inspire your senses.
We have currently a couple staying in our B&B who are on the quest to find the location that inspired Thomas Wood Holgate to one of his bluebell paintings. It is believed it was painted here in the woods at Bosvathick. So it appears that not only Thomas was moved to try and capture what he saw on canvas but that a century later this particular painting brought two people back to Bosvathick to see with their own eyes what he saw. The power of imagery.
The same goes for scent of course. How blessed we are to be able to enjoy this world so much more because of our senses. One simply cannot explain the excitement that rises within when during a random stroll you suddenly find your face almost touched by a wonderful scented cloud that sets you on a quest to find its owner. Like a hide and seek game where a small breeze can easily set you off in the wrong direction it cannot be denied that a garden is an amazing place that brings joy to the soul, especially when you found your treasure and with your nose deeply pressed in a trumpet flower you inhale your prize.
I really love all the beautiful wafts of perfume and even though I walk miles through the garden on a working day and therefore know exactly where all the Lady Alice Fitzwilliams are and recognize the fragrance of the wisteria growing on the house or the viburnums which were planted last year, it remains and always will be a great highlight of my day.
Below some pictures to inspire your senses.