The terracesThe top terrace has a swing seat and a shaded table for up to 6. It was originally part of our neighbour's vegetable garden and will eventually be the site of ours. Currently it's the place to see what our neighbours are growing, and listen to the sound of silence ... and the sounds of the countryside - cowbells, a tractor, dogs and chickens, church bells chiming for midday and evening meals. When it's really quiet you can hear the rabbits munching in their hutches. In summer there are lizards by day and fireflies at night.
The main landscaped gardens on the terrace level below are are designed to merge into the countryside, with minimum fencing. They are Anglo-Italian in design – stonework, shrubs and succulents mixed with roses, fruit, flowers and a distinctly English lawn. The wisteria terrace on this level seats 4-6, with stunning south-facing views, and a stone sink to chill drinks in. From here you can wander past the peaches under the rose arches to the ‘bandstand’ terrace and the pool; or take the grass path down to the lawn. From the lower lawn and the pool terrace you can wander out into our newly planted orchard terraces. There are maturing trees bearing all kinds of fruit, from quince, cherries and figs to the more exotic pomegranate, lemon, grapefruit, and fejoia. Guests are welcome to pick any fruit in season. Please note: the gardens are on a hillside; there are three flights of stairs and some steep drops over walls. They are not suitable for small children or the infirm. |
|