venerable veggies

Posted on December 6, 2016 by kathy

My poor veggie patch has lain sadly neglected for months. Normally resplendent with a winter crop, this year was just too wet for anything to survive. Apart from weeds. A hefty dose of mushroom compost was added somewhere between showers but even the mushrooms were few.

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I am pleased to say, the weather has improved and I have been busy. Into bed one went the tomatoes.

The pots next to the plants are to allow for deeper watering (I stole the idea from a picture in a magazine). Onto bed two with some green beans,

mixed Asian greens,

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and Bloomsdale spinach.

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Beetroot went into bed three

along with carrots and garlic. I haven’t learnt from past experience and planted four zucchini and two pumpkin in bed four.

I was inundated with zucchini a couple of years ago and gave most of it away until I discovered it can be grated and frozen to be used for zucchini slice throughout the year. It just needs to be thawed overnight in a colander to drain the excess liquid. The Jalapeno chilli has a small box of its own

and I added basil

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to the herb bed.

The fruit salad tree is doing well, producing an abundance of lemons.

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Four weeks on and the growth has been astounding, we are already harvesting the Asian greens.

I forgot to mention the rhubarb. It has been prolific through all seasons and mostly is donated to various friends & acquaintances.

I’m looking forward to reaping the rewards in the coming months.

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Villa Reale di Marlia

Posted on October 1, 2016 by kathy

After a morning strolling around the grounds of Villa Grabeau, followed by another delicious Tuscan lunch, we found our way to Villa Reale.

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In 1806, the sister of Napoleon, Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, purchased the 16^th century villa for her country residence.

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She also acquired other neighbouring properties, including Villa del Vescovo.

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The sweeping lawns and lake were breathtaking.

As we walked around the villa

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we discovered the Italian Renaissance garden

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and the abandoned inner courtyard.

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There were some surprising smaller buildings like the summer house

and chapel.

The nymphaeum (sacred place of the nymphs), is dedicated to the god Pan.

Built around 1580, the circular grotto has a domed roof with a single opening at the top.

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Nestling within niches in the interior limestone wall are the statue of Pan

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along with disturbing sea figures and gargoyles.

The art deco influenced Spanish Garden was created in 1924 when the park underwent restoration.

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The Palazzina dell’Orologio waited majestically at the end of the avenue

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as we made our way to the 17^th century Lemon Garden where more than two hundred citrus trees surround four magnificent magnolias

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At one end, the fountain of the Three Graces is set in a semicircle of rustic mosaics.

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At the opposite end is a large fishpond bordered by a marble balustrade.

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Two statues of giants, representing the Arno and Serchio rivers, spill urns into the pond

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while Leda and the Swan keep watch from their niche.

We continued on to the atrium of the Green Theatre with it’s beautiful fountain

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and statues.

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A natural theatre formed by yew hedges, the Teatro di Verzura was created in 1652. The semi-circular stage has a series of wings 5.5m high and the spherical bushes at the front imitate footlights.

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Surrounding the grass stage are terracotta statues of Columbine, Pantaloon and Punchinello.

After a closer look at the 17^th century Clock Palace,

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we descended the steps

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to the spectacular Teatro d’Acqua. Water pours from the mouths of five masks around the semi-circular pool,

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the Grotto fountain is a marvellous centrepiece.

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Statues of Jupiter, Saturn, Adonis and Pomona

overlook the pool and immaculate gardens beyond.

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In 2015 the Villa Reale Di Marlia was sold to a couple from Switzerland. The 18,000sq m building on 19ha of land is going to be turned in a luxury hotel.

twelve months

Posted on September 27, 2016 by kathy

It is just over a year since the creation of cannonhill chronicles. I have had so much enjoyment sharing our lives and re-living our experiences and it never ceases to amaze me how many corners of the world this simple little blog reaches. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by, you are my inspiration.

One of my early posts introduced you to my spring garden. After a long, cold, wet winter, I had forgotten how beautiful and renewing spring can be. The days are warming, the sun is shining and the evenings are longer. The daffodils are in decline

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but there’s no stopping the lilies

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and irises.

The crocuses are appearing in places new

as are the clivea

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and Queens tears.

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The orchids haven’t disappointed this year.

The bees are enjoying the diosma

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and the waratah is in full bloom.

The first rhododendron has flowered

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and nearby was my greatest surprise. The previous owners had planted a camellia in a very narrow bed against a shed wall. Rather than risk transplanting, I espaliered it a few years ago. Although it has thrived, it has never blossomed….until now.

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Just the one so far but it is perfect.

Eden Project

Posted on July 13, 2016 by kathy

We had been told about the wonders of the Eden Project by, believe it or not, a friendly parking inspector while visiting Bath. On an overcast morning, we drove to St. Austell to see for ourselves. Created in a reclaimed Cornish clay pit, the 35 acre site was a spectacular vision.

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White domes bulged from the surrounding landscape,

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their magnitude truly appreciated the nearer we walked.

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Eden Project is intended to make us think about the relationship between people and plants, as well as the sustainability of our planet. The tropical biome is fifty metres high and four of the world’s rainforest environments are re-created in nearly 4 acres.

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I was reluctant to expose my camera to the hot, steamy atmosphere

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and very relieved to enter the Mediterranean biome and a more agreeable climate.

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There were some interesting installations

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including sculptures depicting the Rites of Dionysus.

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The Greek god of the vines and his followers seem to be enjoying themselves immensely.

12.Rites of Dionysus sculptures

The outdoor gardens represent the temperate regions of the world with more than 3,000 plant varieties.

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Meandering our way along the paths, we encountered many surprises.

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The living sculpture of Eve is made mostly of clay from Eden, she looks very relaxed amongst the trees.

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The Giant Steel Man sculpture keeps an eye on the Hemp exhibit

The Industrial Flame Plant is a comment on fossil fuels. We are warned that most varieties of the genus ‘Industrialis’ extract energy stored in fossilized plant remains from ancient forests. They convert raw materials into a variety of useful products and harmful emissions. Widespread overplanting causes environmental damage and climate change.

21.Industrial Flame Plant

WEEE Man is a 3.3 tonne, 7m high structure representing the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) the average British household throws away in a lifetime.

22.WEEE Man

The Core building is an education facility with interactive exhibits, the structure of which is based on a sunflower.

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The Nutcracker was designed to get us thinking about how much energy and resources we often use to do simple things. A wind of the handle transports a hazelnut through a series of cogs, wheels, pulleys and cranks before it is eventually cracked.

24.The Nutcracker

Seed was fascinating. The 70 tonne sculpture is at the epicenter of the Core building and is carved from a single piece of granite. The complex pattern of protrusions are based upon the geometric and mathematical principles of plant growth.

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There was so much to see at Eden Project, I’m sure we missed some of it. We shall have to return one day.

Villa Grabau

Posted on July 6, 2016 by kathy

Lucca is surrounded by magnificent historical residences of the 16^th century. On a perfect spring day, three of us ventured out to discover a couple of them. Villa Grabau was first built in Renaissance style in the late 16th century,

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then renovated in the 19th century in a neo-classical style.

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Following a tour of the villa, owned by the Grabau family since 1868, we explored the 9 hectares of beautiful gardens. Starting with the formal Italian garden behind the villa,

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