Wednesday 21 December 2011

Oh Tannenbaum....

 

The other day I took myself off to fulfill a long held ambition. 
It was late afternoon when I left the Lane and it seemed to me the whole of Sussex was burnished gold - the kind of light I had hitherto thought only existed in episodes of Morse.

The ambition? Oh to see the largest Christmas tree in England!
Yes, at Wakehurst place every December the tallest Redwood in the grounds is lit with hundreds and hundreds of white bulbs. I am told that if you are flying into Gatwick after dark it is easily visible!

Doesn't look much yet, but just look at that slanting winter light...
The red red rose was blooming her way on towards Christmas...
Ironwork adorned with berries...
...and a fairytale doorway
This hushed and magical walled garden caused a stab of pain in the ribs, sheer joy I think!
I felt just as Mary did when she discovered the garden... I looked around for Ben Weatherstaff but I didn't see him.
jacket image for The Secret Garden - large version
I did fall in love with the lace in the trees though
Doesn't look much yet I know, but as the light fades away...
...and the dusky violet begins to wash the sky as the sun slides beyond the hills
The crinoline skirt of two thousand strung bulbs fizzes into life
 and you hold your breath a little bit too long and smile...at last!
How lovely are your branches

12 comments:

  1. Its really beautiful, thank you for sharing this.
    Love Diane.x

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  2. Honestly, I wouldn't have to have the lights on the tree, it's just that beautiful!
    Thank you for this post! I was already thinking of "The Secret Garden" before you even mentioned it. That book is one of my favorites! (I knew what an English robin looked like just from this book, I thought they had it confused when I was a child, the American robin is so different!)
    I know what you mean about the slanting light, it's lovely!
    Thank you for visiting my blog!

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  3. A beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it.

    I wish you a peaceful and warm Christmas and look forward to seeing more of your posts in the new year.

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  4. That door is beautiful I dream on one day having a walled garden with a secret door. A very Merry Christmas, Mandy x

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  5. beauuutiful :) wishing you & mr boodle a wonderful christmas time & a very happy new year! with love from me & smartie xx

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  6. It is has to be said that winter is a favourite season of mine .. with the rich palette of colours and spectrum of light, it is surely sublime as your lovely photos, testify.
    This year has flown but with another just around the corner.. wishing you the first of many happy Chrismasses in your new home.
    With love
    Michele xxx

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  7. Exquisite....I LOVE it but oh the gardens everything is so gorgeous... I want to go there ...TONIGHT... ha ha it would look even better with a dusting of snow...fingers crossed.
    I hope you are enjoying everything and you are having fun looks like you are.
    Mince pie hugs
    Lynn xxx

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  8. It's absolutely lovely Sarah, quite breathtaking to be there in front of it I'm sure.
    Thank you for your comment earlier today, what an exciting thought and what a compliment too. Merci!
    Kate x

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  9. A beautiful post. Your photos are fabulous, showing winter in all her stark glory, I love them all, but the tree wins it!
    Happy Christmas to you and all you hold dear.
    Lisa x

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  10. We love to visit Wakehurst,but haven't seen the tree this year...so thanks for taking us!

    Wishing you a truly magical C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S !

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  11. Hi there, I stumbled across your lovelie blog. I am quiet new to all of this, but I noticed in your info you have spent time on the Mornington Penninsular. Until recently Mount Eliza was home for me... Iam from the Uk but migrated there several years ago... now back in the UK, and it's taking longer than I expected to re-aquaint myself with what has been my home.

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  12. Just came across your fabbytastic blog,gorgeous images,I'm now following
    Merry Christmas
    XX Manda XX

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