Now that travel restrictions are relaxed, please remember that Orchid Glade is always open for Guardians to visit and enjoy. The 'Glade' is looking perfect. Fallow deer have done a great job on scattered specimen trees, creating the 'browse line' praised by Humphry Repton in his classic work on landscape design — but, following the drought of April-May, the 'Orchid' name seems less apt this year. On 13th June we could find no Twayblades, and only a couple of dwarfish, starved Southern Marsh Orchids. lf you have greater success, please tell us all via our blog.
During our visit, we also made some improvements with the help of the younger generation. Two small seats have been made from second-hand oak sleepers on small pine logs. These are set beside the original pond, one on the east side, the other on the south. As it was the Queen's Official Birthday, we toasted Her Majesty by the south bench. Both provide ideal positions to watch the watery wildlife.
Fergus makes a bench |
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Jack carries a log |
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Click on the image to see the "Chaser dragonfly at home" |