The second visit I made last Saturday was to the original farmhouse and garden of the Irene Dairy Farm in the old and stately suburb of Irene on the southern outskirts of Pretoria.
Why do we take uncomfortable and expensive flights trips to Europe when we have such beauty here?
A sculpture of tree trunks.
And a gracious sun-spattered avenue.
The local Rotary club hosted tea and cake in the grounds and local artists showed their wares.
A secret glade.
Indigeneous crocosmias tell us that autumn is on the way.
Black and white swans complete the picture.
Not a bad afternoon's entertainment at ZAR 10 (one US dollar) per visit? For South African readers, do buy The Gardener mag at your local store. It is reasonable, full of gardening tips and advertises the open gardens in all major centres. Nope, I am not on the editorial!
17 comments:
Wow Eleanor, that place is gorgeous! I love that kind of site seeing, history,old trees, flowers, creative people!It doesn't get any better does it?
Carol
Eleanor, this place is fabulous! How I wish I could visit there! There looks to be such a lovely atmosphere, and I love that style of garden so much.
Catching up after computer problems and a busy time of year.
Visiting you makes me understand, yet again, how beautiful and full of surprises your lovely country can be. this garden in Irene is gorgeous - what I'd give for one of those beautiful statues! Cornwall Hill, though new, looks nice, and I hope they continue to work on saving the natural beauty surrounding such a development.
I'll be off again in a few weeks - one of those uncomfortable flights to Europe - as you recently mentioned! Just hoping Devon will have Springlike weather - primroses in the hedgerows and tulips flowering in the gardens. I haven't been home in Spring since my mother died 6 years ago - I'm looking forward to enjoying this season in a happier way.
Meanwhile, enjoy Autumn at Thatchwick Eleanor - I'll be checking back to share your garden beauties.
Hugs - Mary.
What a lovely post! Such beauty -- it's breathtaking. While autumn is heading your way, we are slowly moving into spring; both seasons are so rich with color and change.
Thank you for a lovely morning's read.
Cass
What a fab spot to go and hang out for a Sunday afternoon, specially if you can get tea and cake.
Such a pleasure -- these virtual visits! Thanks for sharing your world!
That's beautiful!! It looks so peaceful in the garden. Love the swans! Enjoyed traipsing through the wild bits in 'your' other garden too!! I've never done those open gardens even though I've always see them advertised in the gardening mags - will make a must when summer comes around again. They always do Joburg area first so will look out for them.
By the way - love your jug of roses!!
It all looks very beautiful Eleanor -thank you for sharing your part of the world, and increasing my curiousity about Pretoria.Autumn is my favourite season, particularly in our Southern Hemisphere. It makes such a change from the fierce summers.Your photos are delightful.
So very beautiful! All the sculpture is gorgeous! This summer we'll be staying close to home for a holiday and revisit places in Western Norway. Far travel always appeals, but home has it's highlights too. :o) Happy Days, Eleanor ((HUGS))
What a gorgeous place to while away an afternoon! In floral dresses and floppy hats!
What a lovely afternoon! Thanks for sharing it with us, Eleanor. It reminds me of a scene or two from Out of Africa.
Beautiful photos.
Charlotte
Dear Eleanor
Hello again. It's been awhile since my last visit. Lovely sharing this beauty with you.
I think of you often. I have been reading one of Bryce Courtenay's novels. It's called "the power of one" set in South Africa. Pretoria and Cape Town and all the languages and tribes are in this book. I LOVE IT!!
I am half way through and I do not want it to end.
Greetings from Canada
Love Claudie
xoxo
This truly is a beautiful place....I am finding that just our small state of Indiana (USA) has more to offer than I have time to see.
So pretty and gorgeous! I enjoy seeing pictures of your area.
Wonderful and gorgeous place. I loved the photos of the swans: I've never seen a black swan before. They always look so elegant swimming.
I have always wondered what South Africa is really like. It looks so temperate and inviting. Would you compare its climate to any other place? I have heard from SA expats that SA is unsafe, but these pictures look so genteel.
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