High Beaches Woodland Garden, West Sussex

We went walking around this woodland garden on our way home from Brighton recently. As our journey was only about 90 minutes in all we decided to stop here for a walk and lunch.

It was one of those slightly hazy days with a low and watery sun

Although pleasant enough I think early Spring would be the time to visit as it is full of Magnolias and Camellias

I was so pleased to notice this red capped mushroom,

(Amanita Muscaria), nestling under a tree

Very poisonous

Colours beginning to turn

I am not sure which way to turn in  posting photos!

Backwards, forwards or just randomly.

I'll see what takes my fancy.

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/RoyalPavilion/aboutthepalace/Pages/GeorgeIV.aspx

Brighton Pavilion  is an extraordinary and extravagant pleasure palace.Built for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, in stages between 1787 and 1823, the Royal Pavilion is remarkable for its exotic oriental appearance both inside and out. This magnificent royal pleasure palace was revered by fashionable Regency society and is still a distinctive landmark for vibrant Brighton & Hove today. The Royal Pavilion is also home to some of the finest collections and examples of the trichinoses style in Britain.

It is certainly an interesting place to visit (no photos allowed) but not a place to bring me delight but a sense of the madness that can prevail when one's purpose in life is to be wildly extravagant.

To understand how this came about I would suggest using the link at the top of the page where the history of the place and the owner George IV is well documented.

Just one picture that I got off the internet

A Chinese dragon holding up the chandelier over the dining table  

The palace is right in the centre of town and we are about to enter through the back gate

I could have got a great picture of the front of the palace from the main road but somehow forgot as we made our way out of the park at the back to continue our stroll around Brighton

The Palace is still owned by The Crown

Birthday week now over

Alan's birthday is just 4 days after mine so having now reached the grand age of 82 - Happy Birthday Alan

The only photograph I took of Alan in Brighton

and he wasn't looking at the camera

and to finish my son is on a trip through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia and I heard today that the worst storm ever that hit The Philippines is set on a course towards Vietnam passing over part of Laos and Cambodia early next week. I am so grateful that he is not near the coast.  

A Marrakesh Candle Lantern Amongst the November Roses and Autumn Leaves

I just love this Marrakesh candle lantern styled on a design used in Morocco for centuries

Apart from the interest they give to the garden they make a good indoor feature too

Fashioned from Antique copper, and glass which also comes in red and green, I think it makes an interesting addition to my garden.

It also has a hanging hook and can be hung from the branch of a tree

I certainly like it in my 'quirky' corner at the bottom of the garden but in Summer time when it is not lit I am sure it will make a good table centre on the large table under the tree or on the edge of a flower bed

I'm glad it looks good indoors too as being copper it cannot be left out in all weathers

Nestling on  the edge of the pond next to the Livingstone daisies that seem to flower all Summer and Winter long

They can be seen here

Roses and Autumn leaves in November

Yes, it is quarter to midnight when I took these pictures, the clock gives me away

I just love the David Austin Strawberry Hill rose where I cannot help stopping whenever I pass to 'smell the roses' - the perfume is divine.

I like them so much that I have 5 bushes and 1 climber in the back and 1 bush in the front

My bushes have grown to 8 - 10 feet this Summer with a spread of 4 - 5 feet. A mixture of upright and arching stems.

When I first re-planted my rose beds I had no idea how large they would grow as for decades I have always had Hybrid Teas

I am not disappointed.

I am now eagerly awaiting delivery of a collection of 8 new bush roses for the bed we have made to replace the large central shrub area at the end of the month 

For now while the weather permits I am bringing Strawberry Hill indoors to savour the perfume

To finish - last but not least, I celebrated my

 75th birthday this week

 and just wonder where those years have gone!

It was good to have my family over for Sunday lunch to celebrate with me 

I'll be back to Brighton posting next time

and trying to make a dent in the hundreds of photos I have to post from throughout the year and even some from 2012!

Plus catching up with all my blogging buddies.

More Walking around Brighton

We leave the front behind and stroll through the retail area

Brighton has over 400 restaurants, cafes and bars.

One of my favourites - a Jamie Oliver

Lots of designer shops

in all a great mixture catering for many different needs and tastes

We made a visit to Kath Kidston

stretching down an alley

into a square

seaside coloured taxis

The chimneys on the centre horizon are part of 

The Royal Pavilion

visiting there in the next post

a complete mixture of the old and the new

The Pavilion Theatre with The Brighton Dome behind

Now this is interesting - the stage door to The Theatre Royal

manoeuvring the props in such a narrow space apart from the trucks negotiating the street

buses everywhere 

Now off to Pret-a-Manger to pick up a take-away lunch which we will eat relaxing in our hotel

before a walk along the front (last post)