a key to the song of life

-
the doorbell rang
whilst England scored their first goal
and the treasurer from the 
Chatsworth Garden Residents' Committee
handed me this key... my key


I took leave from the football match 
and with camera in hand
to capture and share with you
my first moments discovering my secret garden

the dusty original 1855  iron locks 
on one of several gates



I am inside...


and locked the gate behind me...
l think l spy a clearing..



l do...and wow!


and l see another...


and another smaller one...
this one is 'only' 28 paces across


more...

l am overwhelmed by its size
it makes me think of the tardis,
from the outside it appears smaller

another locked gate...


the light is amazing
and it is nearly 9pm


there are five grassed areas, separated by
a perimeter of bushes and trees...

this area is by far the largest...

old trees,  reach out high and over my head...


oh my!! tomorrow l shall go scouting for a couple of deckchairs...
and dust off my easel...
 a padlocked double gate
looking out to my street...

on thursday after a friend of  friend contacted me to tell me about access etc....
l phoned the council and got contact details for the private residents committee
-of course if figures that they all live right behind me!
on friday l wrote to the Treasurer asking if it were possible
for a very close by resident might apply for access
on saturday I received the application form and information,
which l returned immediately and two hours later,
 the kind man brought me my key...

ALL this for £10 a month..
I KNOW l'm worth it!

(all images enlarge)

next time -  the old trees from the garden

Comments

  1. hostess of the humble bungalow2:07 am, June 13, 2010

    You have revamped your blog!
    I like the change and the images are very interesting...even the iron work looks chic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sniffles and Smiles2:15 am, June 13, 2010

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOO WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hooray!!! It all came through!!! And it wasn't as expensive as I thought it might be!! I'm thrilled for you, can you tell? LOL...

    And you've been busy today...What a Gorgeous redesign, Saz!! Love, love, love it! It's SO YOU!! Looks like it was a fun and creative day! Wish I could join you with paints and easel in the garden. If I didn't love you so much, I'd be terribly jealous!! ;-)

    Catch you later, dear Saz!! Love you!! Janine XO

    ReplyDelete
  3. Eliza2:35 am, June 13, 2010

    Yay, you're in, looks wonderful :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. noexcuses3:01 am, June 13, 2010

    What an enchanting place! And how wonderful that you were able to visit.

    I love your redesign, but then I like the other as well!

    Thanks for sharing such lovely pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ayak4:08 am, June 13, 2010

    I'm so please you have access to the garden. It's so much bigger than I imagined it would be. I'm sure you will be spending many happy hours there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous9:15 am, June 13, 2010

    Hey Well Done!!!
    "To them that ask, it shall be given"

    (Authorised Version)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:07 am, June 13, 2010

    It looks absolutely beautiful - well worth £12 a month!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jon Storey10:53 am, June 13, 2010

    What a fantastic find! I never new these gardens existed.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous12:52 pm, June 13, 2010

    I am soooooooooooooooooo happy for you my darling,geeez, you don't ask for a great deal to make you happy; a key to a magic garden, the sun above and the grass under your feet. A place for your books and pictures, a pillow for your head.

    Wonder if there are special days when all the keyholders meet.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Saz1:42 pm, June 13, 2010

    yes ma l asked the guy that too...he aid sometimes, then good intentions fall by the wayside, as happens..

    l feel a warm balmy evening coming on, some accoustic music and nibbles and friends....

    funny though its pouring today...
    off on a deckchair hunt soonest....must be vintage of course..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jinksy2:56 pm, June 13, 2010

    So now you are one of the 'IN' crowd! Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous4:09 pm, June 13, 2010

    Lush is what comes to mind
    Who cares for it
    can you plant in it

    ReplyDelete
  13. Leslie:4:34 pm, June 13, 2010

    I'm thrilled you got in! Just imagine all the lovely times you'll have in that peaceful setting.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Merisi9:20 pm, June 13, 2010

    Congratulations,
    you are so worth it! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Joanna Jenkins1:38 am, June 14, 2010

    YEAH YOU! What a glorious place to run away to! Enjoy every visit.
    Cheers,
    jj

    ReplyDelete
  16. Furtheron8:06 am, June 14, 2010

    I love the patterns in the grass they look like crop circles in minature - who does the lawns? Aliens? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Akelamalu12:42 pm, June 14, 2010

    Oooh a secret garden - how exciting!

    I love your new template - very snazzy!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Daryl3:49 pm, June 14, 2010

    How wonderful ... I am so pleased for you and for us getting to share it with you .. and I am loving how you've re-done the blog!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Shrinky5:54 pm, June 14, 2010

    A magical, secret garden, what a wonderful retreat! It is so mature, peaceful and verdant.. oooh, you are going to have so many beautiful hours in here - OF COURSE you are worth it!!

    Your new make-over looks fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Maggie May9:44 pm, June 14, 2010

    Do you know? I am SOOoooooo excited for you. Over the moon in fact :-)
    It is a real secret garden and I think you are definitely worth it!
    A brilliant place to go for a bit of peace and quiet & to paint and write and contemplate........ yay!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

    ReplyDelete
  21. Young at Heart11:56 am, June 15, 2010

    ooh! I so want a key too!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Suburbia9:08 pm, June 15, 2010

    You are definitely worth it! it looks fantastic, an oasis :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous12:59 pm, July 06, 2010

    visit me very funny

    http://abozaid46.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by!

Take the weight of your feet, draw up a chair and pour yourself a cuppa. Leave your troubles at the door and together we shall ride out the storms.


Saz x

Popular posts from this blog

One World, One Heart - A Global Event

-
Image
I am participating in the One World, One Heart event. This was dreamed up by A Whimisical Bohemian, and is l believe in its third year. If you visit her blog, she has a full list of participants on her sidebar. Basically all you have to do is visit a participating blog, leave a comment and you will be entered into a draw. Some participants are offering several gifts. No catches. No gimmicks. No sales. No links. In the One World, One Heart event I am offering to one lucky winner the following two gifts... a Vintage 1960's silk scarf signed 'Richard Allan' & a Vintage 1960's Glitzy Evening Party Bag The event close on 15th February 2010 and l will announce FFF's winner then.
Read more

Loneliness...

-
Image
is next to god awfulness. l enjoyed my London trip on so many levels. Though particularly because I had time to suit myself, time away from pressure of work, time away from the kids, all types of timetables. Time away from decision making, which I abhor with a passion! Sometimes, though thankfully not often when l am alone. Sitting in a coffee shop. Or in line in the bank or supermarket. Waiting in the car in line for the car park. Usually alone waiting. I get the heebee jeebee's. In plain speak a panic or anxiety attack. It comes in the form of a butterfly fluttering in my chest, a screaming in my head. Silent screaming. But I feel the noise. White noise. That drives darkness through the day like a knife through butter. It lasts but a few moments, but a dry fear stays a while. Remaining hidden amongst the layers of feelings and experiences we call life. Whilst walking alone through the streets of London, it lurked. Unacknowledged. Invisible. Whilst feeling the beat of the city...
Read more

On my way to work - Monochrome Monday

-
Image
Monochrome Monday hosted by Aileni As it is very frosty and cold I am driving to work, shameful, yes, as its only 1.75 miles uphill down hill in nose to tail traffic. I park in the nearest car park, courtesy of the City Council, a perk of the job. Thank you very much. And this is what l see on my short walk from car park to work! silhouette of castle gate looking back over my shoulder where l have walked from the very ineffectual Millennium Bridge this is the entrance to the underpass, which takes us under the dual carriageway that separates the Castle from the city, the Museum and Cathedral this is the underpass decorated with old local industrial machinery and the Cursing Stone produced for the Millennium and inscribed with a centuries old curse it receives the wrath of locals as it is considered the cause of all our recent ills, Foot & mouth and the Floods the marble floor containing prominent local and Reiver's name the Whispering Wall, solid glass brick, come alive with...
Read more