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Ashington Manor Farm (Yeovil)

After a two-night stay at The Swan Hotel in Wells , we departed for Exeter. Along the way, our first stop was Ashington Manor Farm, the home of the husband and wife garden designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman.  Roses are a specialty of the Bannerman's, but sadly, we were too early to see any. That disappointment was curtailed by touring their magnificent farmhouse, which we were invited to roam around at leisure. And Julian Bannerman, who did most all the talking, was a very entertaining man.  Gathering at the front door - We actually entered at the side of the house, right off the patio, which led to this room, where the Bannerman's greeted us. The massive table was filled with books they had written as well as magazine articles about their gardens. As we were listening to Julian's speech, I happened to notice Isabel Bannerman's book "Husbandry" on the table and immediately recognized it as a book I have at home but have not gotten to yet. At the time, I ha...

A trip to Ohio - Schiller Park, Columbus


We just got back from a 4-day trip to Ohio. The purpose of the trip was to take a friend of ours back to her hometown, Marysville, to reconnect with siblings that she had not seen in over 15 years. We offered to drive her there and it was a nice, relaxing mini-vacation. The weather was fantastic. A cold front had just passed through and the temperatures hovered in the lower 70s. 



The drive through Cincinatti was hair-raising (we hit it at noon rush-hour) but the remainder of the route took us through quaint towns with beautiful architecture and serene countryside. I have never seen so many corn fields in my life! 

We stayed in Marysville but drove to Columbus, about 20 miles away, on our first full day. We visited the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (photos to come!) and walked through the German Village. We enjoyed some spectacular ice cream at Jeni's Spendid Ice Cream

The German Village consists of restaurants, shops, parks and gardens. We didn't really know where we were going but I was happy to locate one of the best known gardens - Schiller Park. It is named after the German poet Friederich von Schiller and an impressive statue of him faces a long promenade that surrounds a perennial border.
famous German poet, Friedrich von Schiller. An impressive statue of Schiller decorates the center of the park. - See more at: http://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Schiller-Park/#sthash.OxUXyrhC.dpuf
famous German poet, Friedrich von Schiller. An impressive statue of Schiller decorates the center of the park. - See more at: http://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Schiller-Park/#sthash.OxUXyrhC.dpuf
famous German poet, Friedrich von Schiller. An impressive statue of Schiller decorates the center of the park. - See more at: http://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Schiller-Park/#sthash.OxUXyrhC.dpuf








Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. My Mom lived in Cincinnati for some time. I can imagine the traffic. What a beautiful park. Love those borders full of flowers.

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  2. What beautiful photography. Sounds like a good trip.

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