Monday, September 05, 2016

I is for ITALIAN GARDENS

Welcome to ABC Wednesday where this week we celebrate the letter I as in ice-cream, igloo, innovative, idol, injure, image, and irony.  I'd like to introduce you all to a place I visited while in south-east Wales this summer - the Italian Gardens at St. Fagen's National History Museum.  I had visited this immensely innovative outdoor museum back in 2006, but the month of November was not a fitting time to see any of the gardens.  I must say that I lucked out with the sky being grey but no rain fell.  Suffice to say that my goal this trip was to view the gardens on a brilliant sunny day!

From a historical standpoint, the gardens were created some time after 1864.  It is a walled area that was adapted in 1902 by Lady Paget so her children could go swimming in the pool.  The walls at this pool are now fitted with water jets that arc into the pool.  There are grassy steps, ornamental tubs that contain orange trees, and roses that are trained to grow upwards on the walls.  Lady Paget also had a room beside the area where she could do painting and enameling.

HRH the Prince of Wales, had the honour of opening the restored area as an Italian Garden on July 27, 2003.  I'm so glad my friend Jane and I decided to follow the path towards this spot.  We were getting tired from all the walking and had considered heading back to the car.  I'm so glad we didn't. Anyway, here are a few of my own photos of the gardens.  By clicking on the photos, you can see them in full screen format.

 

With immortal thanks to the imaginative Mrs. Denise Nesbitt, creator of ABCW, and to the imperturbable Roger, our administrator.  It's also imperative to give thanks to the impassioned
assistants who visit each and every contributor to leave invaluable words of praise.
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15 comments:

  1. Reader WilMon Sept 05, 01:17:00 pm

    These photos show well how magnificent these gardens are. I like the beautifully made masonwork of the wall near the pool!

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  2. K V V S MURTHYTue Sept 06, 09:40:00 am

    An innovative post,came to know a rare place.Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Photo CacheTue Sept 06, 10:48:00 am

    I imagine myself reading a good whodunit in that beautiful white bench.

    My ABC WEDNESDAY

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  4. photowannabeTue Sept 06, 11:00:00 am

    What a gorgeous place. I'm glad you pressed on and got to see it.
    Now that's my kind of garden.
    The wall is quite stunning too.

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  5. MelodyKTue Sept 06, 11:20:00 am

    Lovely Leslie.... I would like to sit there and be quietly enjoying the surroundings and silence

    Have a nice ABC-day / – week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (ABC-team)
    http://melodymusic.nl/abc-wednesday-9-i/

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  6. AnnTue Sept 06, 12:57:00 pm

    Never seen a garden that was specifically Italian. Absolutely fabulous. We have an Italian Gardens restaurant here--really good.
    Ann

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  7. HildredTue Sept 06, 03:55:00 pm

    What a lovely choice for the letter I.....

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  8. ellen bTue Sept 06, 07:50:00 pm

    Such a beautiful choice for the letter I. Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend!

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  9. Amit AgarwalWed Sept 07, 12:14:00 am

    Incredibly beautiful!

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  10. TrubesWed Sept 07, 02:55:00 am

    We are going to mid west Wales for our wedding anniversary, we have driven through that area several times, with the INTENTION of stopping but never did, With three excited girl in the back of the car, we pressed on too the south for our holiday home.
    The pictures of the ITALIAN gardens are delightful Leslie so we shall try to get to see them.
    Best regards,
    Di,
    ABCW team.

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  11. Roger Owen GreenWed Sept 07, 03:46:00 am

    a wonderful travelogue, not just this, but your whole array of pics.

    ROG, ABCW

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  12. JoyWed Sept 07, 12:59:00 pm

    A nice recreation of the feel of an Italian garden, now all that is required is some Italian sunshine:)

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  13. carol l mckennaWed Sept 07, 02:54:00 pm

    Lovely images of the beautiful Italian gardens! Divine!

    Wishing you a smooth sailing week ~ ^_^

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  14. GattinaThu Sept 08, 08:04:00 am

    It looks beautiful, but I am not sure that it looks really Italian, lol, but that doesn't matter !

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  15. Su-sieee! MacSat Sept 10, 06:50:00 pm

    I like the idea of roses climbing on walls. Fences for that matter. It's a beautiful garden. I like reading about the lady who lived there once upon a time.

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