A restorative walk. (with a lot of photos)

 Take a walk with me through our National Trust gardens. I took myself for a stroll  this afternoon , leaving a very lovely carer in charge.

At one end of the car park is the Water tower, dating from the 1860s when it was an actual water reservoir. Now it is a four storey holiday cottage, with one room on each floor, beautifully decorated.

Across the yard is the little shop which looks as though  it's built into the lovely old wall.

From the shop you can access their little garden within the walls, where plants are sold.

Then wander past the tiny scented garden where jasmine climbs the wall, lavender bushes buzz with bees, and every plant is a delight to the senses. Flowers grown at Trelissick were used as models for the Spode Copeland china made by one of the original owners of the estate.

The entry to the Gardens is through this lovely old stable barn, which at Christmas is decorated with so many Christmas trees. Can you hear the clop of horses' hooves on the cobbles ?

Where does this little door go?

The Long walk leads past some very old Rhododendrons which were planted many years ago. There is a majestic feeling about the trees here. They have seen so much history.

So many years ago I brought my mother here, to an evening performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', all taking place around that huge tree in the centre of the lawn. Can you imagine the fairies and Puck climbing in and out of the branches? It's a Japanese Red Cedar planted in 1898.

Rhododendrons en masse.

And Banana plants.

There is so much more than I have been able to show you today, but for a finish let's go the the courtyard where tea is served under a shady parasol.