RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Topic: Day Trips
(When I took this photo, Ryan was running toward me. Even though he's a little out of focus, the look in his eyes makes the picture.)
Yesterday was sunny after a gray and icky stretch. I had to get out of the house. I never realized how close to our house the RHS Garden Harlow Carr was. (Royal Horticultural Society) It's only a couple miles away.
There's a plant center and shop in front of the Garden. I parked and took Ryan in in his stroller. I saw other people with strollers, so I thought that was a good sign. The shop was really nice. It had all manner of books having anything and everything to do with gardening and plants. They also had general interest books, and a really nice children's book section. There was a gift section, with beautiful journals, cards, address books, stationary, as well as tea sets and all sorts of gift items. One section of the shop was sunken down half a level and was a wide, yet cozy area with a huge bay window overlooking the Garden. It was gorgeous. There were books and flowers everywhere. The wall opposite the window was decorated with metal dragonfly sculptures. That made me smile. I felt so happy and comfortable there. Being in such gorgeous surroundings, I realized that I am lacking beauty in my life. I need to do something about that.
Next to the shop is a plant center. There wasn't much in it this time of year, but it was still nice. It had a conservatory style roof, so it was warm, but the sun came through.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr (Click on this link for the Garden's website.)
I went outside to walk around and explore. It was bright out, but very windy and cold. Since it's winter, there wasn't much going on in the Garden, but I could tell that once spring arrives, it's going to be spectacular.
I kept thinking how much my grandfather Walt would have loved this place. He was quite the gardener and could make anything grow.
I walked around and found a playground. Ryan is still too little for most things, but he loves slides. I helped him up and down the slide a bunch of times. I let him run around a bit. Unfortunately it was a bit wet, muddy, and slick in some places. Ryan was getting away from me and falling down and getting wet and dirty. Since it was cold and windy out, I wanted to minimize the damage and get him back in his stroller. Ryan had other ideas. Of course he would rather run around than be confined. He threw a huge fit. I don't blame him, really. I tried to explain things to him, but he wasn't having it. I think he was getting tired, too.
There's a really nice tea house and cafe there. It's a Betty's. (There's one in the Victoria shopping area.) I wanted to get some refreshment, but I wasn't sure Ryan would cooperate. I figured I'd better get him home. I look forward to going back to the Garden in the spring and summer.
Harlow Carr Snapshots Click here for a few photos from the Garden. I didn't take very many since the Garden is in a somewhat dormant state.