ON THE RIVIERA

Friday, May 03, 2013

ON THE RIVIERA

Languishing on the Riviera that’s where I’ve been or at least in my dreams as in reality I’ve spent the evening digging a few holes in the garden to bed in plants purchased on Sunday at the Lulworth Castle plant sale. But ah, the Riviera! Or rather the English Riviera which is where I was languishing last weekend, enjoying a rare bit of sunshine in Torquay. It was bliss!

Brixham Harbour

The English Riviera with its palm trees and chip shops is not a patch on its much grander French cousin but still has its own unique charm. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi that comes from having countless stag parties, Agatha Christie themed tours and cream teas that the French haven’t quite mastered. I’m sure there’d be more than one Gallic shoulder shrug at the prospect of taking part in Brixham’s pirate festival or discussing the merits of home-cooked pasties compared to those from the supermarket. Ah, the English Riviera!

Cockington Village

Babbacombe Cliff Railway

View of Dartmouth

Spring has definitely sprung in this corner of the world. Cherry blossom hung on trees like froth on a latte, hosts of golden daffodils outnumbered sunbathers and parks were looking distinctly perky under colourful arrays of spring blooms.

Dartmouth’s lovely gardens made me long to rush home and get stuck into mine!

Hibernation is now well and truly over in Charminster. It’s cheerio to winter woollies and time to dust off the knee pads, lube up the pruning shears and break out the slug pellets for garden spring cleaning. Out with the old foliage and in with the new. Chasmanthe bulbs are in along with a few more Hellebores and a smattering of Thalictrum Aquilegifolium or Meadow Rue.

And to put a smile on your face, these cute little piggy wiggies we caught a peep of on our way back from the English Riviera. Aren’t they sweet!