Saturday 25 July 2009

Loch Fyne from the viewpoint

Although it was rather swampy at times in the Winter, so far this Summer we've enjoyed quite good weather and I've been able to wander the garden with a glass of wine most evenings.

Often I sit on the bench at the viewpoint and look down Loch Fyne towards Tarbert and the Isle of Arran. This week has been particularly clear. Here is the view just half an hour ago from the viewpoint. Goat Fell is the highest point visible on Arran (905m.).

Monday 20 July 2009

Visitor's comments

I am certainly welcoming more visitors to Oakbank's garden this year than last, and from a wider geography too. Already this year there have been Australian, American and South African visitors as well as those from Scotland and England. Here are some of the recent comments from my comments book:

From a Scottish visitor: "Your garden is perfectly lovely - a joy to see."

From an English visitor: "A magic garden even in the rain. Thanks for a great visit."

and another English visitor: "Quite delightful. So natural but cared for so tenderly. Will be back soon!"

An Australian visitor wrote: "It is absolutely gorgeous. What an amazing effort - BEAUTIFUL!

and American visitors: "This garden is obviously filled with energy and love. A special place."

Sunday 12 July 2009

Photographs

Ray Cox is Kenneth Cox's brother and he is a brilliant specialist in garden & plant photography, who also took the pictures in the 'Scotland on Sunday' article below. Looking at his photograph of the children's garden from the new book reminded me that I intended to put more of my photographs of the garden onto the blog to give a better idea of how it looks. Here are a few. I'll add more later. These are from last year - this year I've been pre-occupied by learning to use my new camcorder. Sooner or later I may put some film clips up too.

In case anyone is interested in being in touch with Ray, his website can be found at http://www.rcoxgardenphotos.co.uk/.



Oakbank driveway


The Millennium Ruin (restored in 1999)


Woodland (looking west)


More woodland (looking north)


The lower pond

Bluebells & wild garlic


More bluebells


Entrance to 'Fairyland'


The owl in Fairyland

........ and yet more bluebells!

New book - reference to Oakbank's garden


















Kenneth Cox owns Glendoick Garden Centre near Perth
(see www.glendoick.com), the specialist rhododendron and azalea nursery. He has recently published a new book, his seventh, entitled "Scotland for Gardeners" which includes photographs by his brother, Ray. Ray took the pictures included in the Scotland on Sunday article below. You can read the entry for Oakbank above. You can see (or buy) the whole book on the Glendoick website at http://www.glendoick.com/content.phppage=gardenlovers.

Sunday 5 July 2009

Red Squirrels at Oakbank

I have been feeding the red squirrels in the garden for years so we now have a large number who visit us daily. In the winter months they come mostly in the morning but at this time of year they feed constantly, especially the youngsters, often until 9pm or later. These photographs were taken at Oakbank in 2008 by Richard Shucksmith. He is an excellent photographer and took many more pictures of the Oakbank squirrels.