Jackie's Garden. . . . . . . . . . . .

My granddaughter Jasmin enjoying the evening in Jackie's garden in Torquay, Devon.

This is my dear forever friend Jacqueline, usually called Jackie. As mentioned in 

a previous post, we gals met before birth when our mums were friends and pregnant 

with us at the same time!  

My previous visit to Jackie's home was a few years back and she was faced with 

quite a mess of a garden - she won't mind me saying that as, after 71 years as 

friends, we can talk like that without hurting feelings, right?

I was overwhelmed this visit when I saw that a most beautiful English garden

had evolved, thanks to some excellent landscaping/hardscaping, and obviously a 

great plantsman who knew the perfect plants for her space.

Jackie - it's a really fabulous garden now and I hope you are out there 
enjoying the weekend surrounded by beautiful blooms.

The kiss of the sun for pardon

The song of the birds for mirth

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth

"God's Garden" - Dorothy Frances Gurney - 1858-1932

Sunny brunch in Cockington, Devon. . . . . . . .

Cockington, known the world over, is a preserved village of stone and color washed 

walls under thatched roofs and is tucked away in a secluded wooded valley at the heart 

of the English Riviera. People have lived here for many centuries. 

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror, 

it is clear that a Saxon village was already in existence before that time.

On another perfect morning, we walked to the harbor and took the scenic 
double-decker bus ride along the seafront.

Walking into the village from the area of the arrow (in first pic), we followed the

 'water meadows' with raised walkways over the dancing stream and shallow ponds. 
Rife with swathes of Cow Parsley (Queen Anne's Lace), dragonflies and birds, 
these meadows run alongside the narrow lane into the village. It was a leisurely 
half hour saunter which we all enjoyed.

Soon we reached the farm cottages, some of which have been turned 

into shops, cafes, even a small exclusive hotel

Here I must tell you that Cockington was my 'childhood playground'.

My home was close by, a walk up and down a few steep hills, or sometimes the 

short route through the fields of grazing dairy cows and, with a clamber over a stile, 

it brought me out close to a smelly but always exciting farmyard. 

When the teenage years arrived becoming a farmer's wife was probably 

my dream back then - I certainly never thought about emigrating to America 

and working in Washington, D.C. a few years on!

At the beautiful Rose Cottage Tea Rooms, in the center of the village, we stopped
 for brunch. Bob and Jasmin ordered the 'full English' breakfast (he had been longing 
for one since we arrived in Devon - Jasmin went along with the idea but didn't manage
 to eat much of her loaded plate!). I had the tuna jacket potato with a crunchy side 
salad - everything was very good. . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . and how could it not be when the setting was so lovely and the 

pianist played some great tunes for us.

The gardens surrounding the tea rooms were beautiful. I was thrilled to find the 

property so well cared for, especially as some years back when visiting during the 

recession I had found it looking rather untidy and unloved. Someone must have come 

along and put a lot of work and money into bringing it back.  

More about this lovely historic village coming later. . . . . . 
including the ever wonderful Devon Cream Tea!

In an English Garden. . . . . . . . . .

I have best friends who have the best gardens.

Above, Jasmin loving the beautiful flower garden of 

my very dear friend Jackie here in Torquay. 

More on our special friendship, and the wonderful 

places we journeyed to in Devon on a day out with her, 
when I get home and have more time to blog!

Tomorrow we head to London. 

Hot temperatures expected. 

Sightseeing will be non-stop until we jump, or

crawl, aboard that plane on Friday and fly home.

Time has gone by far too quickly.