The Field of the Waterfall

A good day today, sunshine and clouds. This afternoon our u3a Group Convenor had organised a visit to a local garden, ‘Dal an Eas’, a beautiful place less than 15 minutes from the centre of Oban.
 
A fairly modern house sits in 10 acres or more of open meadow, surrounded by trees. Nearer to the house is a pond surrounded by beautiful perennials, but the bulk of the area is managed as flower meadows, and wonderful they are too. I came here many years ago but had forgotten just what a special place it is!
 
The owner Mary took us round - she’s very proud of the flowers in the meadows, especially the orchids. We saw Common Spotted Orchids, Northern Marsh Orchids, Fragrant Orchids and Greater Butterfly Orchids - the last my extra today -  as well as many other native flowers. I think she beginning to find the work very hard, being in her 80th year, so I hope that something can be done to preserve this very special spot for the future. As you stand between the meadows all you can hear is the sound of the waterfall, just out of sight up the glen - hence the name.
 
The garden is open under Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, by appointment, but so far this year only two people have come. Unbelievable! We had a wonderful afternoon, all eleven of us, and finished up with tea and a wonderful selection of goodies to nibble, all cooked by Mary. She reminded me that I can go back anytime, so I most definitely will!