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Coleton Fishacre (Devon, England)

Coleton Fishacre was in my top 5 gardens on the tour. This Arts & Crafts style house and garden was the country home of  Rupert D'Oyly Carte and his wife Lady Dorothy Carte.   He was the well-known theater owner (The Savoy) and producer (Gilbert & Sullivan).  They spotted the property from their yacht and thought it would be a great spot for a country home and garden. Ah, to have that much money... They commissioned Oswald Milne, a former student of Edward Lutyens to design the house. Both Rupert and Lady Dorothy were interested in gardening but it was Lady Dorothy who mainly planted the garden, filling it with exotic and tender plants that survived with the influence of the Gulf stream. They employed six full-time gardeners! I often wonder if people who have that much money are really able to enjoy a property like this and actually live in it?  Their tenure here wasn't that long (a dozen years or so), although Dorothy lived here full-time in the late 19...
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The life

 




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. meemsnycJanuary 30, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    I wonder if any birds are brave enough to go into the birdhouse with kitty so near!

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  2. KellyJanuary 30, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    My old yellow tom packed his bags and left home. His mama the "kitten machine" is still here. I miss old tom. I like your pics.

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  3. DarlaJanuary 30, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    What animal abuse! How dare you make life so hard on the kitty!!...

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  4. UnknownJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Looks like what each of us wishes he had spent this weekend doing!

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  5. sweetbayJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Yeah, that's the life. :)

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  6. EveJanuary 31, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    I bet that fella really enjoyed this warm spring weather this weekend! Love the photo!

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  7. Jill of All TradesJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    Oh that makes me miss my sweet Mackie.

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  8. GailJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    Every garden needs a cat! He's a beauty. gail

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  9. compost in my shoeJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    We all need a spot just like it. Lay down and relax!!!

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  10. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 31, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    What a handsome kitty. He knows just where to relax and let the birds come to him.

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  11. scottweberpdxFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    awww...so cute...to be a cat!

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  12. Tallulah's Antique ClosetFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    What a relaxed and pretty kitty! Just enjoying the day in the garden. Thank You for the Birthday greeting. Have a great week....Ray

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  13. debsgardenFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Are you sure you didn't pose that kitty? Maybe bribe him with some catnip? His color matches so perfectly with the wall ornament above.

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