The cold damp mist this morning did little to curb our enjoyment in walking around two of the gardens which were open for charity although we did miss the “stunning views over the Forth” and the views towards the nearby Lammermuir hills.  The first visit was to Longwood on the hill slopes with borders of flowers, vegetables, bee hives, lawns and wild areas where ducks, hens and guinea fowl were able to wander around freely on the lawns and among the primroses beside the stream and pond.
The second was another nearby garden at Humbie Dean which has been transformed in the last twelve years from an overgrown nettle and bramble covered garden situated high between two streams.   Now it is partly a woodland garden with steep paths leading down towards the streams and lined with plants such as bluebells, erynthronium  and hellebores. Around the house there are masses of bulbs including blue camassia and colourful herbaceous plants, rhododendrons and shrubs interspersed with a few metal bird sculptures.  Delightful bird song from the nearby trees completed the tranquil setting and all that was missing was the sun