CAMERA CAPERS

 Although I am no longer on the Committee of The Pelargonium & Geranium Society, I had said I would visit the show this year and, if needed, would steward for judging.  My friend Angie was going with me to Rosemoor and as is usual, stewards were desperately needed, I roped her in as well.  The show did not disappoint, with some excellent plants. It was lovely for me to catch up with friends. Judging was over by 11.30, so after a coffee and cake Angie and I took ourselves and cameras out to the gardens.  I last visited RHS Rosemoor seven years ago when PAGS held its annual show there.   We were lucky the weather was warm and sunny.  The roses, as usual, were wonderful and I wished I could grow them in my garden here in Surrey.   Sadly I am on greensand, and they just do not grow for me. Isn't this beautiful?  For Your Eyes Only I found it - the garden seat dedicated by her husband and daughter to an aunt of my husband. RHS Rosemoor is not as large as RHS Wisley, so Angie and I d

Once known as Chenies Palace, although never a royal residence, nor the seat of a Bishop, Chenies Manor House was held by the Cheney family from 1180 and passed by marriage in 1526 to the Russell family, Earls of Bedford, later Dukes of Bedford, of Woburn Abbey.   Henry VIII is known to have stayed at the property on several occasions.   The manor remained in the possession of the Russells until it was sold in 1954 .   It is now used as a private house, although it is open to the public on certain days and also used as a wedding venue.   The house includes a medieval well, a dungeon, and a reputed priest's hole.   Our visit was organised by a local garden club, of which Angie and I are members.  The gardens are beautiful - there were well-manicured lawns surrounded by beautiful flower borders, a sunken garden, a physic garden with a well house, a maze, and a vegetable garden.   There is also the village church just outside the walls of the garden.    -------------------------------