Just as we arrived, the sky opened up and poured down buckets. I could barely see anything.
“Go check it out, see if it’s worth going in,” said Frances.
I felt no great desire to get out of the car. “If we go in, we’ll still be outside. It is a garden,” I said, trying for once to use logic on Frances.
After a bit more prodding, I got out to reconnoiter. I peeked over a fence for a free look.
In good weather, the crumbling monastery sprouting plants and shrubs and flower beds must have looked quite delightful, but all I saw was an overgrown, sprawling, crumbling mess awaiting demolition. Only the keenest of enthusiasts could derive any joy from the garden in that downpour. And some did. I saw a flock of old ducks in see-through plastic bonnets, pointing out specimens to each other with unabashed excitement. Oblivious to the weather, they even smiled.
Straddling large puddles, I hurried back to the car and explained the situation to Frances, who was now in the back seat entertaining Kate. I suggested she check the place out for herself. Wisely, Frances declined to leave the warmth of the car. As we pulled out, a coach was pulling in, with obviously hardier types than us.
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7 comments:
Oh this really makes me smile. I love checking out gardens - yes, even in the rain. Although we don't receive as much rain as you do, one particular garden which I HAVE to see each year actually provides brollies for it's fans. Oh, and the crumbling monastery you speak of - this garden owner actually built a church folly which looks like it's about to fall down, all covered in moss and ivy.
Maybe you could take Frances another day...
I would have opted for stopping at a nearby tearoom instead of trudging through the rain. Fortunately, the weather was perfect the day we visited Sissinghurst.
Machinist's Wife--you're obviously one of the hardier types I mention, like those ladies I saw in their galoshes! Definitely want to go back though -- and actually go in!
Linda--a tearoom is always a good thought! We'd recently had a lovely English breakfast though... Sounds like you had better luck with the weather, though I mustn't complain--as Frances likes to say, and I must admit, we usually do quite well weather-wise (much to my folks' suprise!).
It's my understanding Brits are quite oblivious to inconveniences like rain when there's a garden to be explored and clucked over. I do hope you go back another day.
I love Sissinghurst (as I have previously mentioned!) but Im not sure if I would have loved it in the rain.
BTW, did you say galoshes?? Ive not heard that word since I was in the States. I would have expected 'wellies'. Are you collecting an American word there or is 'galoshes' used in parts of the UK? Made me smile, anyway.
Did I say galoshes? Definitely time for a trip back!
It's pouring down rain here as I read this post. I won't go out to the car to get my forgotten book let alone take a stroll through a garden...!
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