The National Open Gardens Scheme is in full swing again locally, so three of us had an expedition to Rookley Manor this afternoon. I had no idea it existed, although I knew of another at the other end of the village. The house has a one acre garden which is beautifully planted and well thought out. We had a lovely time admiring it and pinching ideas for our own, much smaller, gardens. In particular I enjoyed the old fashioned roses, which were deeply scented and lolled around through the flower beds. There were also many Alliums and Astrantias, Nigella ("Love in a mist), Peonies, a magnificent Rhododendron, Sedum, a splendid Lantern Bush, an ancient copper beech tree, Sisyrinchiums, and many many other plants. To top it off, Rookley WI were doing teas. Lovely. This is definitely a garden worth visiting, and I look forward to going again.
Afterwards we headed to Shanklin seafront and had a round of crazy golf on the Dinosaur course; I was whupped by the opposition unfortunately However, we all had fun and finished with a cup of tea and a sandwich at the cafe behind the course. After that we went for a stroll along the revetment towards Sandown before returning home. The teenager and I have decided that this Summer's challenge might well be to play on all the crazy golf courses on the Island. Happy days!
