Day 98 - Lancelot’Capability’ Brown (1716-1783) landscape architect lived at Wilderness House, Hampton Court for the last 20 years of his life when he was the Master Gardener at Hampton Court Palace. When I first looked for this plaque in April Hampton Court was closed-but I got tickets to visit the Gardens Last week and eventually got to see the plaque from a distance as you can never get nearer. He began his career in his native Northumberland then in his early twenties he moved south to join the staff at Stowe House where his talents as a shaper of the landscape were given the opportunity to flourish. His nickname was gained because of his habit of telling his aristocratic employers that their estates had the ‘capability’ for improvement. During his lifetime more than 170 employers offered him the opportunity to improve their properties by reshaping the parklands and landscapes surrounding them. Many country estates all over England still show the results of Browns skill and artistry. These include Blenheim, Chatsworth, Highclere , Longleat, Stowe and

- Today was very hot , up to 32C, so went out in a kayak on the river from Lensbury. The club is now open just for playing tennis and to hire boats.. pay as you go as membership fees are suspended until it reopens. Lots of people on, and in, the river! Very strict Covid procedures...I had my temperature taken when I went in! The first time I have been anywhere that does that.
- popped over to see daughter and grand children who had been in their big paddling pool
- lots of watering needed in the garden for tomatoes in pots and small Busy Lizzie plants. My friend did the allotment watering! My turn tomorrow.