I followed the long country road though the hills and forest, eventually winding up at the estate. The house looked as if it had been long forgotten from a different era of history, surrounded by the quiet green landscape, and old stone walls and paths. As I approached and entered the gardens, I felt as if I was walking into a secret garden, like something out of Great Expectations. The property somehow felt forgotten, though I could see and feel that the mark of human hands and care for the property was present.
I walked down the path and into the manicured courtyard, and made my way down the rounded stone steps. As I opened the gate, I caught a glimpse of a formal gardens that were full of color and blooms, my heart started to race with excitement and discovery.
The intoxicating scent of autumn clematis filled the air, while pink anemonies stood tall and proud.
As I wandered around the raised beds, along the brick paths, I came across some bright botanical blooms. The formal garden was two tiered with stone walls and historical traces throughout.
Throughout the garden, I could feel the balance between manicured and cultivated plants and those that felt more natural and wild. Entering each space allowed for a different type of experience and contemplation, like moving though the rooms of a house.
The 5 story stone water tower stands like a ruin of the past, a striking reminder that the marks that we make remain, even as everything around us changes.
I will return to this great little garden again and again now, to watch it transform and change with each season.
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