I'm writing in Dorset this morning, feeling positively autumnal after a weekend of storms blowing through. There isn't quite yet that chill of autumn, I'm glad to say. Someone on this blog once commented, which has stuck with me ever since: Autumn arrives in the morning; Spring arrives in the evening. We know exactly what they meant - you always step out one morning and think 'oh, Autumn is here now'; a few months later, you'll be in the garden one evening and think - 'wow, it really feels like spring'. That's what everyone reading in the Southern Hemisphere will be feeling soon. For now, the seasons feel like they are turning once again.
We had a few days with Valentina at her farmhouse in Tuscany and for various complicated logistical reasons (eg, getting a lift) we had precisely one hour to spend in Florence in the middle of the day in a sweltering heatwave. There was only one place to head - the Boboli Gardens, pleasure gardens of the Medici (and open to the public since the 18th century).
The water was cool and green (but perhaps understandably in the heatwave, the fountains were turned off).
The shade was intense - as you can see from this photograph. The midday sun was incredible, and rather lovely, if you didn't mind dripping with sweat.
The Limonaia, a wonderful building. You don't really appreciate its scale (but look at the third photograph down and you will see what I mean).
I've always loved its cool, lofty interior, and I love the fact it's still a working building, not converted and privatised into a wedding venue.
The cool, neo-classical extensions to the Pitti Palace, I don't know anything about them but I love them.
Almost as much as I love the random tiny windows punched into the great facade.
Look at the difference between the front elevation and the side!
Then we were at Valentina's. Slightly less grand!
In town the next day. Nothing changes.
No visit complete without a trip to the baker to buy pizza.
While we were all admiring the zinnias I sidled around the back of the bakery to find this yard filled with aprons hung up on the line, heaven.
The heat was powerful but we lazed around doing nothing and going nowhere. In the middle of the day we had the house shuttered completely tight to keep the air from cooking. That was when I noticed, for the first time in 20 years, this rather strange luminous effect - daylight coming down the huge chimney in the living room. It felt like being in a Baroque chapel.
Then it was time to leave.
Flying over France, there was an extraordinary pattern of farms and fields, and fewer woods than we have in England, maybe?
And some beautiful views of London as we arrived home.
And then home, to Dorset. Late summer in the air still.
Charlie's garden is always wild and overgrown at this time of year, never mores than when we've been away for a weekend.
But it is wonderful!
The weeks have been filled with working in London and back to Dorset, where we have been on a dozen walks, always identical in route, but always completely different in atmosphere and character - never the same.
High Summer in the garden.
Sunshine and clouds on the hills.
The beautiful sky yesterday morning - astonishing light, and a haze in the air.
We are tipping now to that last third of the year. It's going to be an exciting one in the office - at long last, my book is almost published.... the 24th September is the day. We have been taking pre-orders for signed copies in the shop (there is a link here) and Bridie and I are so grateful for so many orders already! Thank you. I will be busy signing in the next few weeks I think so that all the copies are ready to dispatch that morning. It feels, as always at this time of year, like the start of the new term - new notebooks, a new satchel, good luck for the year ahead!
14 comments
My copy is preordered & I look forward to adding it to my “ Pentreath” collection. I hope one day to read “ My Life as the King’s Architect” or the like. That would be a fascinating read.
What marvellous and inspiring photographs. Your Dorset home must be a corner of Paradise.
Like many of your admirers, I am looking forward to receiving the signed copy of your book.
Thank you ever so much for showing your fortunate followers like me that, as the late Roger Scruton said, beauty matters.
Loved the Boboli Gardens for exactly the same reason you were there! Hot temperatures, cool areas and soaking up how old they are!
I always love your photos of Dorset, Charlie’s garden at whatever stage it is in and yes Spring is in the air, daffodils blooming,can’t wait for Summer Down Under and your book which I’ve ordered but somehow the link didn’t let me ask for you too sign it. Please could you do so .
Karen Chisholm
It’s currently 91° at my house (Indiana, USA). I learned long ago, from my grandmother, how to ‘shut out the heat’.
Beautiful pictures of Florence and the gardens. You friends home in Tuscany look beautiful and lovely place to enjoy. BUT your walks and absorbing that lush green scenery and Charlie’s garden is breathtaking. I live in a City and mostly looking at concrete and so much removed vegetation. Can’t wait to see your book and your next vlog of spending time during the fall. Seemed like a short, hot and stormy summer in Canada where I live and hard to believe fall is just on our doorstep.