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Highfield Farm Garden (Monmouthshire, Wales)

I am lagging behind with my England tour posts, not that there is an urgency, but I know if I don't get them recorded and organized, my feeble memory will begin to muddle them. The three previous gardens ( Hidcote , Kiftsgate , and Bourton House ) were visited on the first day of the tour.   Day 2 took us across the border into Wales, where we saw two gardens.  Our group (about 25 people) rode in a comfortable bus, and everyone kept saying that it was much smaller than the buses they normally used. I thought it was fine, and most of the time, I had my aisle to myself. Unlike the Japan trip, where our mode of transportation changed daily, we kept the same bus during the entire trip. I soon learned that it was best for my mental health to sit on the right side of the bus. The country lanes of England are indeed as narrow as they appear on television, and the ever-present hedgerows grow right next to the roadside. Watching these hedgerows fly by within an inch of your window...
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Time for a paint job

Another beautiful day yesterday! I should have been pruning roses or cleaning up the garden but I decided that it was time to repaint the front gate and entryway. This pretty much took up my entire day and I ended up wearing more paint than I used on the structure. It looks so much better now (the gate, not me). Unfortunately, almost every other wood structure in our garden needs repainting this year. Some of these projects will probably have to wait until late summer and then it will be so hot that I won't want to do it.

I am longing for a picket fence around the front of our house to replace the rail fence that we now have. This time I'm going with the white plastic so I won't have to worry about repainting it. My neighbor has this fence and I can't tell that it is not made of wood. Hopefully, depending on the economy and our finances, we can do this sometimes this year. I know Michael thinks it is not needed but I think it would add a tremendous touch and feel to the garden. (He says that there are so many plants around it, you wouldn't be able to see the fence. He could have a point there!)

Before...



and After!




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  1. joeyFebruary 10, 2009 at 2:36 PM

    How lovely, Philip ... an enchanting entry ... and how lucky you are to be working outside. Today was a tease here ~ 58. We haven't seen 'balmy' weather like this since autumn ...

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  2. Niels PlougmannFebruary 10, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    Wasn't that arbor once covered with roses? Are you going to plant a new climbing rose, clematis or honey-sockle 'Serotina' it drenches the evenings in the gardens with a wonderfull perfume. Good job so far! Over here in Denmark it is really getting winter and I would freeze my butt of outside.

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  3. GailFebruary 10, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    Phillip, The after looks fabulous...My Mr I says the same kinds of things when I want to improve the garden's bones. gail

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  4. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogFebruary 10, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    What a difference a little paint and a lot of sweat equity make! Looks great. I'll be curious to see the new fence if you get it. There is something to be said for not having to paint.

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 11, 2009 at 2:30 AM

    Doesn't it feel good to get a project accomplished that actually shows off your efforts. The arbor looks great now.

    We put some of that plastic fencing in last year. It is easy to work with and looks so neat and tidy all the time.

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  6. WayneFebruary 11, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    Isn't it amazing how a little paint can make something look almost new again!

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  7. F CameronFebruary 11, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    love it!

    cameron

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    I often like the patina of old, weathered things in the garden. But then again there's a lot to be said for a new, spiffy coat of paint. It looks as good as new!

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  9. Sarah LaurenceFebruary 11, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    Nice paint job! After maintaining a white picket fence at our last house, I'm now more into easy care natural cedar. Lazy, I know.

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  10. Roses and LilacsFebruary 11, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    Looks really nice, Phillip. The gate adds a lot to the front entrance. I'm a huge fan of gates and traditional fencing in gardens.
    Marnie

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  11. sweetbayFebruary 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM

    Nice job! The arbor looks wonderful re-painted. I like the lights too.

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2009 at 3:41 PM

    Hi Phillip, your gate looks fabulous. Well done. Our neighbors have that vinyl coated fence and it is quite nice. It shows dirt and would need to be scrubbed on occasion. They have not done that and it is no longer white but green with algae? It might depend on how many feet are needed, they have five lots and are elderly. It still looks nice though.
    Frances

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  13. Chandramouli SFebruary 12, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    Looks awesome, Phillip! It looks new! Great job!

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  14. Monica the Garden FaerieFebruary 15, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    That's a nice difference! I suspect I'm going to have to stain my deck again, as soon as the snow is gone (let's call it May!!)

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  15. JanFebruary 17, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    WOW! What a big job--but totally worth it!

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