Doing the Loopty Loop...in England

Fifteen days and counting...

I am organising my life and that seems

to be reaching into every corner of it at the moment.

So..while I pack, shuffle and hyperventilate,

I hope you don't mind if I treat you to some of my favourite

posts. Ones that I wrote whilst finding my way around England.

Some of you are aware that I have another blog, devoted to my time in England.

I sort of hang out in both places. I try not to duplicate stories and I have been

pretty good at it so far....but there are some, I just love to visit again and again

...this is one of them. Thank you for letting me retell my story and for those

of you who have read this before...thank you, thank you, 

thank you for coming back again. :)

May 26, 2011...

 If you were with me today,

we would have stopped in at Isabella Plantation

in Richmond Park, London.

It is just as well that you were not with me as 

I got lost....and did the loopty loop several times

around the 8 mile perimeter drive.

That happens to me a lot. :)

It really wouldn't have mattered 

because Richmond Park is a site to behold, 

with

50 ponds

550 acres of woodland

11 gates (I now know them well)

Seven car parks (know them by heart)

20 mph speed limit (oops)

Two 18-hole golf courses

Four rugby pitches

and...

650 deer

150,000 trees

1,350 species of beetle

750 species of butterfly and moth

450 species of plants and ferns

400 species of fungi

130 species of bees and wasps

119 species of birds

and two Shire horses ( I thought the same thing)

I eventually found my way :)

Isabella Plantation dates back to 1637

and is filled with many of the specimens listed above.

In bloom at Isabella Plantation throughout the year...

Spring: camellias, magnolias, daffodils, bluebells

azaleas and rhododendrons.

Summer: Japanese irises, day lilies, candelabra primula,

flowering straz trees and fragrant magnolia.

Autumn:  Fothergilla, Japanese acersa and tupelo trees are ablaze in colour.

Winter: Witch Hazel, Mahonia and Rhododendrons 'Christmas Cheer' 

are in bloom with early camellias.

With this knowledge, I embarked on a stroll, with friends, around the Plantation. 

My only regret was that I was doing it midday, not the best light for this amateur photographer.

Alas, I persevered, knowing that I could come back, on my own,

when the timing and lighting would be just right.

 We passed thru the gates, in and out again

and then a thought crossed my mind...

Is it possible that Philip Treacy drew his inspiration 

for Princess Beatrice's hat from Isabella? 

(Imagine the gate photo upside down.)

With that thought in mind, you and I would have left for

 Pembroke Lodge to have a coffee.

 We would have admired a spectacular view and 

would be happy to spend several hours doing so.

The only problem with me is that I am easily distracted.

While my friends were looking out, I was zooming in.

How could I resist?

I so admired this woman below...she had great sensibilities.

Hat, portable chair and a bag filled with

plenty to keep her occupied.

Ah well, there is always next time.

I am bringing my hat, chair and carry all.

Care to join me?

Isabella Plantation photos~jeanne

Princess Beatrice, here.

Information on park

from Guide to Richmond Park

Best wishes to one and all for a lovely weekend.

Jeanne xx