Alnwick Garden 3

One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Alnwick Garden was to see the famous tree house which has been built around the existing trees. This is a massive construction with rope walkways which the children obviously loved running round! I really liked all the colours and textures of the different woods used in its construction. The surface which looks like paint in the bottom-left photo in the collage is actually peeling bark. It looked amazing!

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I should have said previously, my friend is now out of hospital and is much more comfortable but she is going to need more treatment.

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I haven't forgotten the June Take it Further Challenge (well, I nearly had!). I've a feeling I might slip behind this month as my mum is coming to stay tomorrow so time will be short for crafty things and blogging. Whatever you are doing this weekend have a great time!

Catching up 3-Alnwick Garden

As promised I have some photos to show you of Alnwick Garden which is adjacent to Alnwick Castle but not part of it. We had the most amazing day in this wonderful garden. The garden has been designed particularly to appeal to children but there is so much more to this fascinating place.

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When you enter the garden you are greeted by an expansive view of the Cascade (which my photo does no justice to unfortunately). The cascade springs into life twice an hour with a varied display of fountains and jets of water and the unwary stand to get a soaking!

You can see from the toy trucks that children are encouraged to play with the water at the bottom of the cascade

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This hornbeam tunnel runs the full length of both sides of the cascade.

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A series of jets of water catch the unwary and children who love playing 'dare'.

When the main cascade has finished this curtain of water strikes up.
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On the right hand side of the cascade is a serpentine garden of water features which explore the interactions of water and metal and explore some elements of physics. Each feature is described in a mirror finished plaque which are all the more interesting for their reflections.

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This curtain of water falls beneath the Coanda feature above.

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The photo above and those following are of the fascinating vortex which I could have watched all day! The patterns in the water were amazing, especially with the added bonus of the sky's reflection. The basin slowly empties through the middle and then refills through the jets either side.

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Do enlarge these images to see all the patterns and movement.

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Just one more......

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The sun provided a very delicate rainbow and just out of range are two children who were running in and out of the curtains of water having a fantastic time despite shivering!

Alnwick Garden 2

Above the cascade you come to the walled garden which has many garden rooms within it.

These are espalier apples growing round various parts of the walled garden.

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One of several beautiful peonies.

This pergola will eventually be covered by the climbers growing up it.

Like this!