visiting gardens

I have lucky lately in amongst my schedule to get out and about a bit  and so while doing so, have taken the opportunity of visiting a few gardens.  I always find it a bit of an inspiration to visit other peoples gardens.  I always without fail see new ideas or techniques or come away with an Ahhh moment.  I do love being inspired by all the wonderful things other people do that I just haven't thought of.

Two gardens I visitied lately that rate a mention is Whychwood...(always rates a mention) and I stopped for a refresher at Josef Chromy Wines at Relbia and this garden was looking wonderful and at its best.

I haven't been to Whychwood for many years and it is even longer since I had a conversation with Karen & Peter.  I used to live near Deloraine for a time when I first came to Tasmania and met Peter then when he first started gardening in the area.  So it was a delight and quite lovely to catch up with them both.  Wychwood is absolutely lovely.  A wonderfully clever and well thought out garden that has the feeling of being totally loved and cared for.  It has a bit of everything.  I especially like the area as you drift down to the creek and can almost imagine yourself spending summer afternoons fishing and frying the catch right there on the riverbank.  It is a garden that has the feeling of being so much bigger than it acutally is, although its still big enough if you start to think of the maintenance and care needed.  The hedges and green walks are beautiful and I was slightly jealous of the amount of rain they get that means they are able to grow things to a lushness that we sometimes can only wish for in Hobart. 
If you haven't ever been, or have always wanted to then go and visit.  It is worth it.

Its also for sale as Karen & Peter have dreams of a new venture somewhere, so for some lucky person they can visit it everyday.

As I spent a couple of days in Launceston, I decided to indulge and head past Relbia and the White Hills area on the way home.  We had planted a vineyard in the area in the early days before there were many vineyards on the hills there and so it always has a bit of place in my heart.  That is I can remember my aching feet from fencing the paddock and walking up and down the hectare thousands of times as we prepared and planted the vineyard and then pruned and picked it.  But.....It was also romantic and lots of fun and we had dinner parties amongst the vines on long summer evenings.....including an engagement dinner with a group of friends and cocktail parties for large groups.  We were adventurous in those days!!

I couldn't help myself but stop at Jo Chromey wines to wander the gardens and have a quick tasting.  The grounds are suberb, lush and green and full of trees and with the large lake as a backdrop are exceptionally romantic.  No wonder they have so many weddings there.  Unfortunately we missed getting into the restaurant by a matter of minutes for a chance lunch, but opted to sit on the verandah and have a tasting plate.  The views were lovely, the weather perfect, the food was ok, not great. It certainly wasn't good value for money in fact it was rather outlandish for what it was, and I won't rave about anything that was served as little tastes to go with our 4 tasting wines.  In fact, I doubt I will do it again.  A pity as the grounds are delightful.