We have been here before in spring, but the last time was a year ago just before the first lockdown in England. Trengwainton (NT) gardens in nearby Madron are not open all year round, but they are now, although due to the current Covid-19 restrictions you do have to pre-book so numbers are limited. And there is no tea-room open for that post-walk coffee and cake.
There is also a one-way system through the garden so you can’t simply wander where you would like to. The Camellia walk is not part of the route, but no need to concern yourself, there are sufficient camellias to be enjoyed.
Having neglected the camera for much of the last year lacking inspiration, I hit upon the idea of focussing on one thing in particular to motivate me when I went walking close to home. Clouds and then light and shade. I added trees to that list today.
As I have dozens of flower photos of this garden in spring I decided to concentrate on the light and the way shadows fall as we meandered our way up to the terrace.
The low winter sun, the warmth in the secluded garden and the sound of birdsong implied spring had begun. And indeed today when this post is published it is the start of meteorological spring which lasts until 31 May, but in my heart I always consider spring to begin on the vernal equinox, the time when day equals night.
But I am happy to welcome this spring-like weather along with the opportunity to escape to a fairly local place for a change of scenery.
The jungle look is most evident when you find yourself in a grove of tree ferns. The shadows and patterns the light creates through the foliage is so lovely.
A large pink Magnolia flaunts itself from all sides of the garden yet hides its flowers high above our heads, buds encased in furry strokable pods ready to burst into colour.
The route finishes in the sheltered walled garden. All National Trust gardens are run on the goodwill of a lot of volunteers along with several gardeners, most of whom have remained at home during the pandemic to stay safe, so the garden isn’t perhaps as well-groomed as normal and you could see some weeds and rough edges, but that does not detract from the beauty of nature.
Discarded camellia petals carpet the ground in places, snowdrops and snowflakes and double hellebores compete for space in the undergrowth.
But there is still much pleasure to be found in a deep cherry-red magnolia tree (above) and this variegated tree below, with such a lovely shape that I had to take its photo.
Hopefully it won’t be too long before we can travel further afar to visit other gardens, beaches, friends and families…
Cornwall in Colours 
Some lovely and interesting photos. Love the walled garden and dappled light. The trees are magnificent too. What a lovely walk it must have been!
I was consciously looking for shadows and the way the light fell among the trees. It did feel good to go somewhere different, even if not too far away.
Thank you for sharing this walk Jude. Your photos are beautiful; I love hour focus on light and shade.
I have so many flower photos that I needed to focus on something else.
A lesson I should learn 🙂
It certainly slows you down if you have a specific agenda.
😀
I am most attracted to the light and shade with the gazebo like building in the back. I am ready to walk in and sit down.
Ah, well Elizabeth, sitting down is kind of frowned upon. We are supposed to be going out to exercise and not actually sit around enjoying the sun. Not that it stopped people up on the terrace, faces to the sun!!
Oh. Is that part of the Covid restrictions?
It’s beautiful, Jude. 🙂 🙂 I’m journeying around Japan with National Geographic. Hope you get to visit more gardens soon.
I hope I can get to the Japanese garden this spring, it is so lovely and hardly anyone visits it. Nice pub close by too, but that won’t be open until the end of May.
Delightful, Jude. There is hope.
If the sun keeps shining then I shall keep looking for somewhere to go – trouble with having to pre-book you never quite know what the day will actually be like.
I know, but it’s better than nothing! Spontaneity will come eventually.
By which time Cornwall will be full of staycationers!! 😱
Oh, I know! Scotland is the same. It’s hard not to resent everyone else and to remember that they have the same right to be there as I do!
I really enjoyed this walk Jude. The Trengwainton Gardens are a delight 🙂 🙂
They are indeed. Great café there too. Be glad when it is open again.
I’m with you. Spring for me starts on March 21st. Still, I have to admit that though this week has turned cold again, spring is definitely in the air. The birds and green shoots think so too. What a great outing you took us on. I don’t suppose Jo came, with no cake being on offer …
The birds are definitely feeling it. A couple of thrushes were having an argy bargy, but I couldn’t get a good photo.
Here too!
So pretty! Petals always look lovely scattered on the ground. Autumn has begun here but it will warm for many weeks yet. And still no sign of rain.
No shortage of the wet stuff here, but we have just had a lovely few days of sunshine ☀ and about to get colder again.
Simply marvellous – I really must get MrB out to Hilliers
Great photography
Thank you.