The First of June - already - though outside the clouds are grey and the wind is rising. O, our British weather!! We are warned of winds of 60 miles an hour this evening - but also given the promise of rising temperatures and the arrival of 'proper' summer by the end of the week. Something to look forward to in sybaritic terms - I look forward to basking in the warmth on the 'Mediterranean terrace' at the back of the house (my fanciful description of 'the hot bit' where I keep my more tender plants) - but also a reminder to get as many plants in the ground as I can before the soil becomes hardened and unworkable and wilting is more of a problem than waterlogging!
Five weeks lost to being medically poked and prodded (outcome positive, with some provisos) at a time when the most work needed to be done in the garden was frustrating, but priorities change when health issues call; I am just happy to now be in the position of being able to get digging, planting, propagating and harvesting with full enthusiasm once again.
For a break from all the gardening work, however, we made a journey last week to a place I have been longing to visit for twenty years. Whichford pottery is not at all far away (about an hour), situated in a very pretty little village on the edge of the Cotswolds and has been making high quality terracotta garden pots for nearly 40 years. I bought the book -written by owner Jim Keeling - on the subject of terracotta container gardening twenty years ago and since then I have only developed further my passion for growing things in pots; the more varied the pots, the better.
A feast of possibilities - gallery in the background
Whichford's website will tell you all about the process and their history - what I can tell you is just what an immensely friendly place it is to visit. I was positively encouraged to wander through the potting sheds and past the kiln, to see the various stages in the creation of some of the most beautiful pots I have seen, all very subtly different as is to be expected from hand thrown pottery, but all of the very highest quality. Not cheap, but you very much get what you pay for here; in these pots I feel I am getting something which will in time become loved family heirlooms.
There is an attached art gallery, displaying other potters' work (though I got so excited at buying our own particular pots that I did not even make it around the gallery!), whilst outside there are several different areas of garden, each with planted-up pots inspiring you to have a go at making your own little pieces of Paradise. That is the joy of 'pot gardening' - even the smallest spaces can be enhanced and made into little havens of pleasure, which can be easily changed around as the seasons pass.
Enjoy the photographs, which will give you just a flavour of our day - centred on the pottery, but also enhanced by our ramble around the lanes of a particularly beautiful part of the English countryside, at one of the loveliest times of the year.
Inside the Pottery - one of the workrooms, used for storing moulds
Loading the kiln by throwing pots down to the loader from above; much confidence, co-operation and knowledge needed here!
One of five different 'Shakespeare' pots, all bearing quotes from The Master
On the left, 'Acorn' pots - one of which came home as a gift to Autumn Cottage
Even the smallest garden could find room for a corner like this?
In the village - Whichford church
So many textures - old tombs and gravestones, a dry-stone wall and burgeoning flora
Much scratching and scraping could be heard as I entered the church...
This was the reason - restoration of 14th century painted glass
...the skilled craftsman placing the precious glass back in place
A wisteria in full, glorious flourish on a barn conversion gable end, opposite the church
A reminder of my childhood - overflowing hedgerows of Queen Anne's Lace, Campion - and a newer addition -escaped rapeseed
Back at Autumn Cottage - two more pots which came home with me.
Now about that return visit...
What lovely pots! Thanks for the "outing" to see the pottery. What is the saying on your pot? It's sort of obscured by the succulents.
Posted by: Ardi | Monday, June 01, 2015 at 15:09
I'm very envious of your beautiful new pots. Aren't they beautiful! While I'm admitting to envy, you can include your visit to the lovely old church, the hedgerows, and your garden!
I must now Google Whichford church to learn more about it.
Thank you for sharing your little journey with us, and I'm glad to hear that you are well, after all your poking and prodding..xx
Posted by: Sheila | Monday, June 01, 2015 at 16:23
Beautiful pots, and a lovely post. Just what I needed on a grey afternoon. Hope you soon recover after the "proddings" and can enjoy the (promised) sun. Cilla x
Posted by: Weaversjournal | Monday, June 01, 2015 at 17:22
I love this one!
Posted by: Jamie Chavez | Monday, June 01, 2015 at 19:57
So glad the medical stuff is put to bed (so to speak) so you can spend time in your proper beds - flowerbeds! This is a wonderful post, classic Autumn Cottage bliss. At first I laughed, thinking if somebody can write a book about earthenware pots, then everybody in every corner in England is writing a book; but one look at the Shakespearean pots and I was a goner! What a charming time I've just had, so lovely of you to share the experience. The hedgerows!
Posted by: Diana Birchall | Tuesday, June 02, 2015 at 02:58
I love this post! The pots the church and the wisteria are all amazing! I am behind in my potting and planting and also must get to work before its too hot and dry for the plants to adjust.Now I am inspired.
Posted by: avis | Tuesday, June 02, 2015 at 11:01
Roz I always enjoy your wonderful blog posts even though (perhaps rather especially because) I am not a gardener myself. I enjoy visiting yours. So tranquil. Glad to hear you received a positive report from your doctor.
Posted by: Sonja | Tuesday, June 09, 2015 at 00:14
Love this post! Your garden looks Amazing right now, and that village.....awww, how I miss England....
Posted by: Gracie | Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 12:26