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Iford Manor (Bradford-on-Avon, England) Part 1

At the end of our trip (after seeing almost 30 gardens), our tour director, Bruce, asked us to give him a list of our top 5 favorite gardens. I had to think awhile for my 3-5 choices, but I immediately knew that my top two were Tresco Abbey (which I have not covered yet) and this one - Iford Manor. For the #1 spot, I go back and forth, but after being home for a few months, Iford Manor brings me my most pleasant memory.  Actually, the two gardens are similar in style (Italianate). Since I'm doing these in order, it will be some time before I get to Tresco Abbey.  First, a little about the house. The property was once home to a wool factory and dates back to the Domesday book (1086). The present house was built around 1720. The house overlooks the Frome valley with a small river flowing in front.  We began our tour on this bridge where we met the Lord of the manor - Just kidding - the owner is William Cartwright-Hignett. That is him in the center of this photo with our gro...
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The September slump



Another gardening season seems to be winding down although the fall garden is always a joy to look forward to. By the time August and September roll around though, my enthusiasm level for the garden is at it's lowest point. I'm sure the weather has something to do with this although I can't complain this year. We've had mild temperatures (well, if you consider upper 80s and lower 90s to be mild) and regular rainfall. However, it is getting dry again and we are back in the phase where it rains every day but not in our neighborhood. I can't tell you how much that irks me...

I think a lot of gardeners though are just tired and wiped out by the end of summer no matter what the weather is doing. I am trying to get over feeling guilty when I'm not out in the garden working, especially on a nice day. I probably could use some therapy for that.

So, since there is no news on the gardening front, I have been catching up on my reading. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was awesome. Very unique and un-put-downable! I also enjoyed The Strain, the first in a series by Guillermo Del Toro (yes, he is the film director).

My Julia Child kick continues. I've started reading her book My Life in France and Michael and I recently rented The French Chef from Netflix.

I also read a biography on film director Vincente Minnelli and have been recording his films off of Turner Classic Movies. I just watched Home From The Hill and Lust for Life which I can't believe I've never seen before. I rewatched The Bad and the Beautiful (great film!) and being a Jennifer Jones fan, I've seen Madame Bovary numerous times. The only Minnelli film I couldn't get into was The Cobweb which I found incredibly boring.

I usually have a gardening book going and I just picked up Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd's Our Life in Gardens.

I promise to return to gardening soon!
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  1. GailSeptember 9, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    I feel sort of slumped myself~~This used to be a marvelous time to find buys at nurseries. The economy has affected inventory even at the good nurseries. But a few bulbs are heading my way? How about you, will you be adding any bulbs this fall?

    My Life In France is on the reading list....and I have got to go see Julie and Julia! It's still pretty warm out there...enjoy reading.

    gail

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    Well you'd better quit your sloughing off, Phillip. Just kidding. It's good to get a break especially after going gangbusters for so many months. ... About the only thing I could relate to in your world of books and movies is Netflix. LOL ... Oh yeah, I've read Winterrowd's work in gardening magazines. Good stuff.

    Here in the PNW we're still in high summer partly because summer takes so long to get here.

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  3. Mary Delle LeBeauSeptember 9, 2009 at 12:14 PM

    It is a slow period in the garden, at least slow for me. I must go see Julie and Julia. Love your photo of the purple ? in that beautiful pot.

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  4. Phillip OliverSeptember 9, 2009 at 12:27 PM

    Hi Mary Delle, those are petunias.

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 9, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    You are quite right about this being the "September Slump". Geez, I am sagging bad in the garden department. I have been painting more and reading some. I am reading Vincent VanGogh's letters. Most he wrote to his brother. I enjoyed Julia and Julie too. I would like to read My Life in France. Julia was an interesting woman.

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  6. Monica the Garden FaerieSeptember 9, 2009 at 3:23 PM

    Ah, oui! Fromage etagere. La bas, sur l'herbe. L'oef. Sur la Pont D'Avignon! (You see, I'm very enthusiastic about things Francais, but I can only express my feelings in 9th grade French (or worse).) :)

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  7. UnknownSeptember 9, 2009 at 4:27 PM

    Not that I am qualified to offer advice to anyone, but if you remember, the point of the garden is PLEASURE.....stop apologizing! Enjoy the messiness, the browning of the stems and blossoms, and the slightly cooler weather. You've worked all summer! Grab a good book and a cup of coffee, and sit in the garden enjoying it's aging prime!

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  8. sweetbaySeptember 9, 2009 at 6:06 PM

    Is it still humid in AL? We got a break the first of Sept this year. By the end of August I can't even stand 80's with high humidity anymore.

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  9. LesSeptember 9, 2009 at 6:26 PM

    I recognize the slump as well. At this point we have gotten so much rain (5.7" just yesterday) that everything has put on rampant growth and has overgrown its boundaries. I am about ready to attack the garden with a machete without regard. I usually get this way in Sept. just wanting to get things back into some kind of order.

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  10. CarolSeptember 9, 2009 at 7:58 PM

    It is good to read your post, as I too have been feeling guilty... especially on beautiful days... and when I was away... for not working out in the gardens... but one should never feel guilty for reading! I have a hold at my library for Joe and Wayne's new book... Henry Mitchell's 'The Essential Earthman' as well.

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  11. Urban GreenSeptember 10, 2009 at 5:19 AM

    Nice post...sounds familiar...!
    By the way, I loved the picture you've posted. Is that petunia?

    See you around, now that am following your blog

    http://theurbanbalcony.blogspot.com/

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  12. Roses and LilacsSeptember 10, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Phillip, I feel exactly the same way. To me, this time of year is for assessing the successes and failures of this years garden and planning for next. And resting. I need to stop obsessing over little tweaks and fixes and let go of the garden until next April.
    Marnie

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  13. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressSeptember 10, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    I'm in the slump too, but I can feel it beginning to lift. I'm anxious to get into a nursery for some fall color in the garden. Summer gardening is a lot of work. Hope you get some rain soon.

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  14. F CameronSeptember 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM

    I've been having one of those weeks where I feel like plowing under the garden and filling it with annual flower seeds instead of perennials! LOL Actually, I'd keep all the agastache and salvia.

    I will have to read My Life in France since I'm such a fan of France and Paris, in particular. We enjoyed Julie & Julia so much -- could relate to Paris, food and the blogging! :-)

    Cameron

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  15. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)September 12, 2009 at 4:13 AM

    Kinda jaded right now also.

    It's more of a chore to deadhead, weed etc... We still have guests arriving so I musn't shirk.

    I do love this time of year though. The food markets are at their absolute best, so being something of a 'gastronaut' I intend to embark on a culinery extravaganza soon!!!

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