Cottage Orne

Another day, another fabulous garden, this time  with a most unusual house, too. 
We joined a group of fellow members of the City of Winchester Trust  for  a visit to Houghton Lodge and Gardens.Houghton Lodge It is on the river Test, close to Mottisfont Abbey where we went yesterday, but this time nearer to Stockbridge than  Romsey. First,  we had a fascinating  tour of the cottage  by the enthusiastic owner, Daniel Busk. Cottages Ornes were a genre of picturesque Gothic architecture that flourished for about 25years at the  end of the 18th century. Daniel explained that Houghton  Lodge was designed by John Plaw in about 1790 as a fishing lodge, or for summer parties, for the gentry. Daniel  described it as really a "small four-bedroom dormer bungalow" ! It has been owned by his family for over a hundred years . We were then free to wander in the grounds. In extras you can see there are extensive lawns sweeping down to the river Test (today, preparations were being made for a wedding tomorrow in the  tepees), and a wonderful walled garden with roses and peonies and heritage fruit  trees.The latest horticultural  addition, masterminded by Daniel's wife Sophie Busk , is an oriental garden.  
It is a stunning property, but not crowded, today, and with a relaxed and  welcoming feel.          

In the evening I attended a blood donors' session (apparently my 75th) and  this time the donation went very smoothly. The warmer weather helps, I think.