Alnwick Castle Gardens...

Woke up to another sunny morning.  

For breakfast I had a bowl of the most delicious porridge served with a little drizzle of honey.  D had a kipper with poached eggs. I would love to had tasted it but the porridge was so delicious I didn't want to spoil the flavour.

Late morning we headed to Alnwick Castle Gardens. The last time we were here was October 2003.  We had rented a lovely house in Dunstan and D, Alan, D's mum (Mum L) and I spent the school holiday week there.  

On that occasion we spent the morning touring Alnwick Castle (Harry Potter was all the craze so we were keen to see the Castle :-) then we walked across to the Gardens.  

Back then the gardens were just being established and there was a large marquee with a cafe inside, rather than the substantial amenities that exist now.  We were interested in seeing what was planned for the garden, including a Poison Garden, which I admit, I couldn't see the attraction of back then.

We had such good fun and I as went round the garden today I couldn't help but relive the memories of that visit. Alan was only seven and absolutely loved the fountain, especially the part at the bottom with the cascading water that he could touch.  We were in our mid thirties.  I didn't think that day, that the next time I wandered in this garden I'd be less than two years away from turning sixty!  Time is a funny thing!  And oh how I miss Mum L!

Today the weather was much kinder than that cold October day and we throughly enjoyed our time here.  Full marks to the designers for making it such an accessible garden.  A wonderful zig zag path makes an easy route through the Cherry Orchard with its beautiful and fun swings throughout. It was stunning today but in April and May it must be out of this world.  

The path led us to the equally stunning formal garden and we spent a long time wandering in there.  So much to see!  It's so wonderfully looked after and there was a whole squad of gardeners at work.  Lots of gardens we visit have bare patches, not this one.  Every inch filled with beautiful plants, trees, shrubs and flowers.  

We meandered down the other side coming into the rose garden.  The scent brought tears to my eyes as it reminded me of the roses in my grandpa's garden when I was a child.  

From here we headed to the cafe for lunch but got waylaid by an unexpected find....the Bamboo Labyrinth.  Wow!  Amazing. Absolutely loved it.  It was our favourite part of the garden. 

Lunch was a very delicious but very messy poppy seed roll overfilled with coronation chicken.  Difficult to eat but we managed :-) Then it was time to visit the Poison Garden.  Being dismissive of the idea when we last visited in 2003 I was keen to see the now established garden, and I am so glad we did.  Amazing!  The guide was informative and funny although we are alarmed by the fact we have quite a few of these plants in our garden!  To hear how the poisons can kill you was fascinating in a gory, stomach churning way.  The coffin at the exit to the Poison Garden made us laugh out loud!  :-)

Just time for an ice cream and a final wander by the fountain before heading to a supermarket to buy bottles of water then back to Doxford Hall.

We returned to the hotel just in time to see some of the classic cars taking part in the Tartan Classic that from today until 22nd June will travel to Peebles, Pitlochry and Edinburgh.  

Time to chill before dinner then to the hotel restaurant to enjoy another superb dinner.  The food here is amazing, some of the best we've ever had.  And the staff wonderful.  That perfect mix of professional yet friendly.  The restaurant is beautifully run.  Going to miss being so spoiled!

Now trying to decide what tomorrow's adventure will be.  

Some more Alnwick Castle Garden pics in extras.