Just outside of Plymouth and on the edge of Dartmoor is Roborough Down. I used to just drive past it on to other places, but recently I have stopped and walked across it. In late summer it is resplendent with heather. Today I did not expect to see anything more than the fantastic views to Dartmoor and some Dartmoor ponies. Both were there, but I was pleasantly surprised to notice so many flowers. Most were close to the ground and small, but they were all lovely.
Having a free morning we caught the ferry from Admirals Hard to Cremyll and walked around the country park. I wondered if the bluebells were all out, but I have seen a better display in the past, so think they are not fully out yet. The white flowers similar to bluebells were giving a white carpet, I hope they are not crowding the bluebells out.
We walked to the top of the park and then along the camelia trail. On the way there were a couple of trees full of blossom and we also a pig and 10 piglets. There were still quite a lot of camelias out.
We caught the train to St Austell then the bus to the Lost Gardens. The journey itself is worthwhile, crossing the Tamar is memorable and the road to Heligan from St Austell follows the coast at one point. Usually you just get glimpses of the sea as you drive along, but today we were following a cyclist so going slower and I could capture the scene.
At the Lost Gardens there was a blossom trail to follow so we started walking around the upper gardens admiring all the camelias, rhododendrons, and other flowering trees. Some of the rhododendrons had grown into trees.
In one of the walled gardens there was a bed of brightly coloured anenomies.
I particularly wanted to see the bluebells so after lunch we waled down the sunken lane to to the bottom lake. There were lots of bluebells on the way down, but I think the display will be better in a week or two.
There were lots of other plants and flowers to admire in different parts of the gardens. In fact everywhere you looked there was something beautiful.
On the way home from Sidmouth we stopped at the National Trust property, Killerton. The wisteria growing around the house contrasted beautifully with the peach paintwork.
We were staying the night in Sidmouth and on the way stopped at Bicton Gardens. The sun was shining and it was really beautiful. As you walked into the gardens the formal beds leading down to the lake were full of colour
There were a few bluebells out but the blossom on trees were spectacular. The acers near the far lake gave a wonderful contrast.
