Minterne Gardens

[puddleshark]

All along the lanes, the leaves are changing: dogwood turning red-purple, field maple to gold. So I thought it might be time to make my autumn pilgrimage to the maples at Minterne...



A drive along the Cerne Valley with the leaves drifting down. An autumn landscape of stubble fields and newly ploughed fields: brown earth, hills, tall cloud.

In the village of Minterne Magna, left the car in the small car park, and passed between the stone gate piers, into the gardens:



Past the front of Minterne House:


Minterne House, south face. Dating from 1905, designed by Leonard Stokes; an earlier house on the same site having to be demolished due to dry rot. (Not open to the public, though I believe they've started hiring out parts of the house for weddings).



Onto shaded paths through the Himalayan Gardens, where the hydrangea is flowering, and unknown trees bear berries:








The Sherpa's Hut, with its prayer flags.


But no mountains.



Many small bridges, over many small streams.






The wonky bridge of Minterne. Still standing.





Well, I was a little early for the maples this year: they were only just starting to turn. But even green maples are lovely.















The wisteria walk, only created a few years ago, is starting to look more impressive.


Spindle.


Tea and home-made fruitcake, on the terrace of Minterne House. Good tea. Nice cake. A shame that one of the tables was occupied by three people who were being loudly lectured by a fourth man, on the subject of inheritance tax. I sat as far away as I could, but still found myself having to listen. I suspect it's against the bye-laws to sit on a terrace overlooking a splendid park and talk loudly about your money.

But to make up for this, a most beautiful Irish Terrier, who happened to be taking tea with his owners on the terrace, came over and put his head on my lap, sensing I was a bit desolate.

Or possibly my pockets still smell of dog treats.