White Day-After Christmas

September 15, 2025

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...

Although we did not get a white Christmas, it did snow sometime during the early morning hours and we woke up to a heavy dusting (I would say under 1"). There have been on-and-off flurries all day but the ground is clear this afternoon. Tonight we get the coldest temperatures of the year with the low predicted at 19. That is about as cold as it got all last winter so we may be in for a colder season this year.

Oddly, I have not bothered to cover any plants up yet but I may drop a cloth over a few before heading to bed tonight.