Dartington - Part II

There is so much beauty around the Dartington estate. Unfortunately, one quick visit doesn't allow one to see everything. Around each bend in the many garden paths, each corner of the imposing medieval buildings, there are delightful surprises waiting to enthral the senses.

Known as a year round national center of excellence in arts, music, performance and cinema in Britain, Dartington International Summer School is also world famous.


Entering the Great Hall.

Courtyard apartments adjoining the Great Hall.

Jacobs Pillow..........Peter Randall Page.

A pleasing blend of ancient and modern garden art.

Swan Fountain....Willi Soukop

Bluebell-lined pathways to secret places.
My unexpected visit to Dartington's gardens was perfectly timed. No crowds, pleasant weather, silence except for birdsong, Spring blooms in full color, even empty litter containers. Perfection in an English garden.

Wendy, of the beautiful Merlewood House, in Torquay, took me on this wonderful garden tour. See my sidebar for information on accommodation at Wendy's delightful B&B ~ a great place to stay in Devon.

Dartington Hall & Gardens - Part I

"What is life if not for experiment and new creation".......Leonard Elmhirst.

When social reformer Leonard Elmhirst, a Bloomsbury group member, and his wealthy American wife Dorothy discovered the neglected medieval manor of Dartington Hall, Devon, in 1925, they purchased it. Together they transformed an ailing rural economy through their conviction that art, education, research and work could be integrated into an abundant life for all.

Their experimental vision continues today. The Dartington College of Arts specializes in post-dramatic theatre, music, performance writing and visual performance, with students from around the world. The college, founded in 1961, having evolved as part of the original experiment in rural regeneration, unfortunately will be moved to Cornwall within the next year, merging with University College Falmouth due t0 funding problems.

Besides the beautiful medieval buildings, including the Great Hall, there are exquisite gardens developed under the personal supervision of Dorothy Elmhirst, with the help in the early days of garden designers Avray Tipping, Beatrix Farrand and Percy Cane. They continue to evolve today.

The Terraces.

It was a pleasure to be taken to visit the estate and gardens while home ~ a surprise outing thanks to the lovely lady who owned the B&B where we stayed for our last few days in Devon. We were amazed to learn that these beautiful gardens are maintained by a staff of three ~ wish I could borrow them for a short while to work some magic in my tiny garden!




The Terraces and the Sunny Border beyond the Great Hall.

Notice the sweet English robin on the arm of the Lutyens style bench.

The Spring Walk takes you through azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese Maples and a very interesting bog garden complete with the appropriately named skunk cabbage (pugh!) and ducks.

Huge, knarled ancient oak and chestnut trees.

The sculpture, Memorial Figure, is by Henry Moore. Several other modern sculptures are placed in special nooks around the gardens. In the background are twelve Irish Yews called

The Twelve Apostles.

Next time, a few more peeks around the Dartington estate.

My Favorite Friendly Place

You just know where my feet took me not long after I returned from England.........back to see my dear friends at SuzAnna's Antiques of course.

With Spring in full swing, the outdoor area was overflowing with everything necessary for the garden, porch, patio, deck etc. Several vintage shoppers are realizing the fun of hanging, or standing, old mirrors outside. For several years I've enjoyed one on my front porch and a couple more scattered about the garden....always something interesting to reflect upon.

Inside the shop the usual plethora of pretties begged to be given a home...loved this lamp with toile shades. Pretty bronze fairy on a pedestal.



Charming cherub planter and vintage silver bowl.

Silvered candle holder......this I could see with white tapers on the night porch, lighting the area just enough while sitting quietly, watching the dancing fireflies as they hover over the cooling grass.................a much-enjoyed Summer evening pastime.

Oh my..............another suitcase, just when I've unpacked mine and am trying not to think about having to start again come July. Two upcoming trips planned......New England (DH's turn to go home) and then the West. This one would probably not hold up well on today's baggage carousels.........but would be pretty to store things at home.

The skinny on Devonshire Cream

Rose Cottage, Cockington Village, Torquay

....................first of all let me tell you, if you overindulge in this Devon delicacy you will not be skinny!! However, the delicacies of life need to be savoured, in small quantities.

Several readers would like to know more about this type of cream, a thick, golden-crusted, spreadable, delectable topping. Most Westcountry natives are addicted to clotted cream and enjoy expounding the merits of what is considered the regional dish of Devon. There is Cornish cream too - I'll leave that story for a Cornish friend!

Real clotted cream is made solely in the Westcountry where the mild climate, rich rolling pastures, and right breed of dairy cattle, create milk with a very high cream content. The rich cream is allowed to rise to the top of the milk, skimmed off into shallow pans, then 'scalded' over simmering water until it thickens and develops a deep gold crust. The cream is similar to soft butter and is of course its best when served on nothing more than the perfect scone. Don't be coerced into purchasing those little sealed jars of so-called Devon Clotted Cream in the import section of a US grocery store. This is nothing like the real thing, which never has additives or preservatives, and can only be truly enjoyed in Devon.

So pack a suitcase and plan that trip across the pond soon!

OK. You did it....packed that bag and bought that ticket, best investment you ever made!

As you drive Devon's countryside, along the narrow lanes and through the villages of thatched cottages, you will see the sign...............Devon Cream Teas. It's sometimes hit or miss and you may not get the perfect one every time, however if it's a farm, a little outdoor tearoom next to a rose covered cottage home, or a commercial venture such as country hotel or restaurant, you will enjoy your afternoon tea I'm certain. Perhaps even more important than the cream is the scone. Usually you are offered a choice, plain or fruit - always make sure they're freshly baked and served barely warm - so the cream doesn't slide off. The jam should be strawberry, thick with fruit, and home-made is always best.

Your tea should be served in a proper teapot. A good afternoon blend with some Assam will provide the strength to compliment a cream tea and wash down all that sugar - therefore you don't need to add sugar to the tea. Milk is optional. The British usually add a little milk, never cream, to their cup of tea. Oh yes, afternoon tea should always be served in a pretty china cup with saucer, no mugs please!

4:00 PM. It's teatime.

Your tea arrives, someone plays 'mother' and pours you a cuppa. You split your scone in two horizontally, spread each cut side with about half an inch of clotted cream, then add a teaspoon of strawberry jam. The first bite is wonderful, you are hooked. You suddenly understand what teatime is all about and you are happy to be in beautiful Devon enjoying, among many other delights, a perfect Devon Cream Tea.

Thankful for good health.......

You wake early morning, roll over, try to breathe, and immediately you know something is not quite right. That was me last Sunday. Here it is a week later. Life has carried on about me. Even without me. I fought the nasty bug which crept into my chest and caused me to cough until I thought my ribs were cracked. Did I pick it up on the plane coming back? Possibly. Perhaps I should have joined the masked crowd at Heathrow airport - there were many who had enough sense to protect their precious lungs.

As much as I dislike having to be medicated, especially with antibiotics, I feel safer knowing I do not have Swine 'Flu, and hopefully a few more days will have me back to normal. Meanwhile, fresh fruits and veggies are what I'm eating - this beautiful Swiss Chard in a fresh farm eggs omelette was good last night.

My favorite little 'under the weather' snack is always the one from childhood, a slice of crispy brown toast with butter of course, and real marmalade, slightly tart with chewy pieces of chopped orange peel, accompanied by a nice cup of hot tea.

And then I slept.......and slept, I've never spent so many hours in the realm of dreams and rest. They say it's the best thing for a sick body, the way to regain health and vigor.

When we're not our usual selves due to sickness or stress, we often act differently. I know I've been a pain this past week - forgive me DH! I just hate being ill and not able to do the many things that stare me in the face each day...........the garden chores, the household chores, the decorating projects on my list, visiting friends at my local antiques/vintage shops etc. I like to be a busy person and hopefully I'll be back with renewed energy soon.

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

Special friends.................forever!

Our dear Mums met at the pre-natal clinic in 1943 and we sweet little girls were born within a couple of weeks of each other. Jackie's family then moved to London but they always came back to Devon for their Summer holidays.................and we kept in touch.

Above, girls in Summer dresses and pigtails.

Below, Jackie and Mary at Goodrington Beach. Photo undated but think it's around 1950.

Above, Jackie and Mary in August 1960, two years before I emigrated to the USA.

Where have all those years gone?

Above, Mary and Jackie a couple of weeks ago in Torquay, England, town of our birth and where Jackie now lives again. I was thrilled when she gave me these b/w photos of us taken so long ago! What a great time we always have when we catch up.....................and we're planning more get-togethers of course!

Visit Deborah at Pictures, Pots & Pens for more Favorite Family Fotos today.

......a real 'Cream Tea'

Before leaving Widecombe a misty rain blew in. Warm shelter with a good cup of tea, or even better, a real Devonshire Cream Tea, was needed........and while the flowering chestnut trees were stunningly beautiful in the rain, their shelter left much to be desired.

At the village green cafe, the entire complement of inside tables was reserved for a soon to arrive huge German tour bus!

There was room at The Old Inn, if you wanted to swig back a cold beer (yes, beer is now chilled in England)..................but no authentic Devonshire Cream Teas.


So, back into our mini-bus - there were eleven of us remember - and off across
Dartmoor in search of teatime treats.

The ponies were pretty, quite at home under damp, gray skies.

The moorland rivers, such as the River Dart, continued to make their way to the sea, babbling over rocks and under ancient granite bridges............

................and then we spotted it, the appropriately named, Edgemoor.........

..............a picturesque country hotel on the edge of the moor. The open windows welcomed one to come inside.

It looked promising. Romantic and a little quirky.....if there hadn't been rain I would have grabbed this delightful garden chair sprinkled with petals.

The gardens were lovely, as English gardens always are.......thanks to a lot of that cool 'misty rain'.

Stunning azaleas, and clematis climbing everywhere.

Our quest was over. The perfect Devon Cream Tea was served in the lounge. China teapots with strong, black steaming tea. Fresh baked scones, light and not too crumbly, homemade strawberry jam.....and generous pots of thick, clotted Devonshire Cream from a nearby farm no doubt. This was as good as it gets....take my word for it.