I found my own secret garden at Oatlands. It was a charming little area, a pond full of waterlily pads, and several frogs, one of which I shared here.
I could have stayed for a couple of hours or more, with its peace and tranquility. It would be a great place to bring a book, or just to meditate.
I had it all to myself until Gregg caught up with me and we enjoyed it together.
As often happens and because of our mutual hobby of taking photos, we occasionally get separated as we focus on different things. I told him I was heading here. I saw it at the end of a long pathway with a wall of hedgerows and trees on each side. In this photo I am looking back at where I came from.
He hadn't heard me and we lost each other. Maybe I hadn't told him and just thought I had. That happens and yes I am smiling. At times I get so intensely focused on where I want to go. He wandered in another direction, and later texted to ask where I was. I eventually saw him at the end of that long path as he retraced his steps and followed my directions.
I had already been in the secret garden for 20 minutes and was waiting for him to catch up, totally mesmerized by how many frogs there were in the pond.
After a while it became a game to see how many I could find, and I was once again in touch with my inner child.
I found several as they weren't exactly quiet.
Cell phones and texting are useful at the right time. The garden is large enough that it would have been a long time before we caught up with each other. In days of old when our son was young, we always chose a place to meet up if we were ever separated. Maybe Gregg and I should start this practice again.
It was hard to leave but eventually we moved on,
passed this handsome statue....
and with one last look at the secret garden, I knew we would be returning. We have added it on our list of places to go back to.
I am sharing these with Michelle at Rambling Woods. You can click on this link to visit Nature Notes and also see other participants of this great meme.
what a delightful collection of images of a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteDenise, I love the water, frogs and lily pads! Your photos are thoroughly gorgeous and captivating! Your post couldn't have come at a better time, because I just got home and it is very hot and humid here in Montreal today. Thank you so much for sharing, I feel happy and refreshed now. :)
ReplyDeleteYou quite entranced me, D!
ReplyDeleteBoy I would love to visit that Secret Garden. It is a magical place and all your photographs are marvellous. Now what ever did we do without the cell phone?
ReplyDeleteI love visiting beautiful gardens such as this, Denise. We have a place in our town that has a large shady pond to sit by and it is so relaxing. You are fortunate your husband shares your love of photography! I am the only photo taker in my house :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos! What a wonderful place. I have the opposite problem with my hubby. I am usually so busy taking photos that I get left behind whilst he strolls ahead!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the Frogs Denise.
ReplyDeleteHello Denise. I enjoyed the walk through the gardens. The pond with the frogs is beautiful. I love the cute frogs too. Nice shot of your Gregg. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteI can easily see why you found this place so fascinating. I too would make a point to return as often as I could. Hope you get back there soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely glorious place. And you have reminded me how long it is since I last saw a frog. Too long. Much too long.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a pretty place to spend time in!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place! Peace and beauty. And the pond with the lily pads! I could sit there for hours. And what a bonus the frogs are! I think they would be my favorite of everything. They are so cute and so perfect that they look like frog statues! Phil & I don't need a very big space to lose each other! Even in the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a great place to get lost for a while...peace , quiet!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an absolutely gorgeous garden.
ReplyDeleteSo very relaxing and picturesque.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit the secret garden. It's a lovely place to get lost in but thank goodness for phones.
ReplyDeleteBelas fotografias deste magnifico jardim.
ReplyDeleteContinuação de uma boa semana.
a special garden indeed!! seems there was a lot to see in this small, almost enclosed spot!!! beautiful captures!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a peaceful place, even with the frogs croaking, I'm sure!
ReplyDeletei love those frogs, the place is beautiful and would be worth it without he frogs but they make it even more perfect. bob always stays within sight since i hate to get separated and have since i was 2 years old... 70 year later and i still hang on to whomever i am with. we don't use cell phones so that would not help us
ReplyDeleteA wonderful place. Great photos. Thanks so much for this great post.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Ingrid
Gorgeous gardens, I love all the amphibians!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very nice garden. And it would be wise to tell each other where to meet after exploring on your own.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, what a beautiful place to visit, the name Secret Garden is mystical like exploring a garden unknown by anybody else. The frogs are great as well.
ReplyDeleteRegards John
Hallo, that are very nice photos. I like this area ... and how you describe it!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are gorgeous and the story made me laugh to know we're not the only ones who enjoy being together but somehow have a way of getting separated. This was one time when text messaging definitely came in in handy; mostly I hate it, but this way you didn't have to have the phone ring and disturb others while you located each other.
ReplyDeleteYes, you certainly must go back to this most wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteAs you say peace and tranquility ... well the frogs may have been a little noisy!
Great photo's Denise, thank you.
All the best Jan
Certainly this was a beautiful place, Denise, and my favorite views were those frogs!
ReplyDeleteNice froggies, Denise!
ReplyDeleteI've always liked them, too.
~
Beautiful and big garden for losting sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
Wow... so lovely secret garden, so charming pond, indeed! Yes, your passion for pictures is absolutely wonderful and to be " focus on different things" i guess it happens to many of us while we're having a walk... and this place, this garden - with frogs and water lilies, long paths - is a wonder for eyes...
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing them with us! Have a sunny day of June!
Absolutely delightful place! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful... Peaceful and happy frogs.. Perfect... Michelle
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place you've found. Perfect for picture taking!
ReplyDelete