Abkhazi a jewel of a garden...created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

 

Abkhazi Garden is an oasis of beauty.

It is full of rhododendrons and azaleas which are full of blooms in April and May.

This magical place was created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

It's a hidden gem here in Victoria.

The profusion of peachy pink blooms on this azalea are incredibly fragrant.

The shed was built when the royal couple were beginning the garden in 1946.

 It used for tool storage and picnics.

You can read more about the history in the book 

A Curious Life: The Biography of Princess Peggy Abkhazi by Catherine Gordon.

From here there is a fabulous view of the curving lawns under the vast Garry Oaks.

You can see the house that they built on the left

this is now a gift shop and tea room.

We sat on the patio in the sunshine.

The tea room has 3 teas on the menu, this is Elevenses.

It was the smallest of the three but it was plenty of food.

There are two resident turtles 

one was swimming and the other one was sunning itself on the rocks.

This driftwood cat is a newly installed art piece from a local Fairfield artist who specializes in creating woody creatures.

We enjoyed our walk, the tasty tea and the incredibly beautiful flowers.

I felt like I was transported away on a lovely holiday.

Parks, local gardens, and the seaside, are such a tonic in these unusual times.

Hope that you are staying safe and taking care of yourself.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Beauty in Gardens and My Stylish French Box...a treat from France

I walked in one of my favourite spots last week...

Abkhazi Gardens.

The temperatures were mild, the skies blue, and the sun was shining.

It felt like a gift after a few days of rain.

A lovely display of naturalized Crocus flowers popping up from the soil...

or is it croci ?

Love the way that the light illuminated their petals.

Gnarly trunk and twisted branches above a bed of snowdrops and cyclamen.

This is such a sweet structure on the site...

it was a place where the original owners would take tea and eat their picnic lunches when they were first designing the gardens.

I've been dreaming a lot about garden design

  the beautiful spaces that people have been able over the years to cultivate.

A well designed garden, once established, is a living legacy.

I try to visit many of the local gardens and join in on the various garden tours.

Some of my favourite things to do are to peruse the garden centres

 leaf through gardening books

and

watch TV shows on gardens.

Are you familiar with Sharon Santoni?

Her garden in France is stunning.

She is the founder of My Stylish French Box...

I have subscribed to these boxes and they are a real treat to receive...

the current box theme is focused on a Parisianne woman.

One of the partners is the renowned perfume company of Annick Goutal!

The February Box is almost sold out 

you might be able to order one if you are quick!

Go here to get more information and good luck!

I am excited as Sharon has just launched a new digital magazine.

She has a giveaway on her Instagram page.

As I sit here at the table in my Humble Bungalow Kitchen 

I can hear birds outside singing

the clock chiming

the fridge humming

the keys on my lap top 

tap tapping

a rumbling motorcycle speeds by

the neighbours dog barks

taking time to stop and notice the little things

those moments each day that can easily slip by if one is not present

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~