Trivial Pursuits - Nature Photographer of the Year

   

I've always harboured a passion for photography and regret trading in my Pentax K1000 SLR camera for a digital one.  Although I'm sure my new one is capable of everything the film version did, the old one was so straightforward to adjust the shutter speed and F-stop!  

The Society of German Nature Photographers have just published the results of their annual competition, so I thought I would share some of the finalists should you be in need of some inspiration.

All images (c) GDT

Days Out - National Garden Scheme, Deans Court, Wimborne

Next to the lovely Sharland & Lewis emporium in Wimborne, you can find Dean's Court.  Seldom open, I'm going to be taking a quick trip there tomorrow when the Gardens are open as part of the National Garden Scheme.

 

I'll have a chance to wander round the fish pond, herb garden and apiary and with luck the apple orchard will be coming into bloom too.

The house makes a perfect backdrop to the stunning setting.  I can almost hear Mr Darcy splashing into the lake above!

They have an amazing kitchen garden and as well as enjoying something in their tea room, you can buy fresh produce in their shop.

If you can't get there tomorrow, they are also open on May 15th, June 16th and July 3rd.  Check the NGS website for details. 

PlayDays - Pythouse Walled Garden, Tisbury

A great way to pass the time of day when the weather’s nice is Pythouse Walled Garden, Tisbury.  As well as the gardens and nursery, they have a lovely farm shop and cafe, which is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy your cuppa in peace while the kids run amok in the garden.   

    

The range of cakes changes daily, so we're always spoiled for choice.  Sometimes it's coffee and walnut cake and other times it's chocolate and orange polenta cakes.  The kids love their apricot and ginger flabjacks too.  And of course, you can't go wrong with a cream tea.

   

When in season the kids can also pick the raspberries and, as a bit of a gardener myself, I love looking around the garden and nursery, where I often can't resist picking up another plant that I'm sure will find a home in my own garden.