La Rive ~ Franschoek.

A Very good morning to all of you... I am always so thrilled when I sign into my blog to find a new friend that has decided to follow my scribbles by way of being a "follower", or on  face book or feed burner! It feels like I have received a new gift and indeed it is just so! Welcome and thank you for your presence and all the lovely comments and email chatting!

I finally seem to be getting the better of the "face book" thingy...um until I see some other clever blogger who has it waxed way more than I have...sigh ....long sigh....and then I go back to the drawing board yet again... But in any event...the face book page is getting there so if you want to see some more inspiration or a hint of forthcoming posts and photos...please click here to have a peek.

Now, for today's amazing garden... I visited the picturesque town of Franschoek a while back and unfortunately , only had one day there, since I also visited the open gardens in Elgin on the other day. Now, I did say that the suburban garden of Japie,or rather, tropical paradise, click here if you missed it (but be warned there are three instalments, so go get a drink first, trust me, you do not want to miss it!!)...well, it is my favourite garden ever, but you will see that La Rive is a completely different style and so maybe, I should say that, La Rive has got to be  my favourite garden in the the English Country style.... That's the trouble with plant crazies like myself, if you are one , you will understand...

Here is a taste of what's to come...hold your breath....

This is what greets you when you enter the gate... I heard many a gasp of delight as new people entered who have not seen it before.. I had a friend with me who did a great bit  o gasping as we entered, and then just stopped to take it all in. Before long, she was as snap happy as I was... well, who wouldn't be? It was a cold overcast day but we were delighted to be here....

Step into enchantment....

Looking back, that is where we entered... Love the colour of the walls too...

Some of the detail...the colours are predominantly blues, pinks and whites...

 

La Rive has three main sections or garden rooms. Here you look across the pool to the stairs leading up to the next level. The planting in this section has been kept low and the mountains makes for a perfect backdrop....

Raised containers in the form of wine barrels,have been used in the beds adding height and interest.

A corner of the large veranda has this lovely water feature.

You can just imagine the fragrance from the Star Jasmine and the roses...

Sigh...

In spite of the weather there were loads of people, and there was no way, it seemed to get a shot that was clear of garden enthusiasts!

A raised seating area  has a gorgeous view and the fragrance was a delight.

 

We are now entering the third and most spectacular garden room...hold your breath....oh, and isn't the gate gorgeous?

TA...DA!

What do you think...?

Is that a sight to behold or what?
By the way....I had to wait an old age to get this shot with no people in it!

Looking the other way to the left of the arches.

Let's get a bit closer...

The stepping stones to the bench is a feast...

The stone bench is framed and backed by tree ferns, some of them across the  little stream that runs right behind the bench

I tell you, folks, I could have plonked myself down on the grass and snapped all day long to capture all the different pansies...

 

These two were holding court in the pansy enchantment...

The stone bench is framed by magnificent tree ferns, some of these are across the stream and forms a wonderful backdrop.

The Zimbabwean Fiddelwood added a splash of fiery colour and another dimension to the scene...

Isn't this clever?

The bench has two side and the other view is to the stream and embankment planted lushly as well. If you can bear to turn your back ...

I kept looking back and to the stream to take it all in...

There is a wooden bridge over the stream and the embankments are planted with Arums and  Louisiana Irises!

This is another section of the garden to the right of the Arches

That concludes our visit to La Rive.

Wonderful, isn't it!

Now friends, I have stumbled upon a fellow Cape Town blogger that I see some of you already knew about, but for those who want to see some magnificent pics of La Rive please click here

Well, how did you like Driftwood Ramblings? 

Stunning, isn't it just?

Live Well

Veronica

xxx

Joining:

Saturday Show Off at The Rosegarden in Malevik
here
Mosaic Monday at Little Red House here
Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle here
The Newby Party at Debbiedoo's Blogging and Babbing here
Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time here
Inspiration Friday at  At The Picket Fence here 

Thanks for stopping by

Please regale me with your comments in the comment box below, I am all ears...

'Tis the Season....

Hello dear friends...
Can you believe it is that time of the year already?. Part of me , the kid in me, wants to be excited, and the other, more wrinkled ageing part of me, wants to run and hide...or to stop the clock and say "Hang on a minute...something went wrong!"  sigh...I can see some of you nodding...

 All the same, the images and inspiration around blog land is just infectious and I have been pinning like a mad hatter (on sleepless nights) all the while almost "ooohhing and aaahing" the rest of the household awake with my festive finds!!

So, while I unpack my boxes of Christmas goodies I thought I would share some of my swoon worthy Pinterest finds. So here goes...swoon away....

I know at least one other person reading this blog that will go...aaaahhhh yes....Galleries Layfayette in Paris.... she will be trying to decide whether to swoon over the roof first or the tree first....and I am having similar issues...

I found the above at a website called Wonderlust and Lipstick! click here.

What a cool name for a travel blog! Lets go girls we can buy the lipstick in Galleries, when we recover from the crick in our necks!

Another midnight "aaahhh I wanna make that!" moment....I have never made a gingerbread house and it is just too cute for words.

Almost needed to be revived with smelling salts at the sight of this... I want to sweep down those stairs to the raspy voice of  Louis Armstrong's "Hello Dolly"...in a ruby red dress and maybe some killer heels!

A gal may dream...

Well, need I say anything...."cuddly inc" above. There is one for everyone to cuddle....my hat ....a heart stop moment of swoon worthy proportions!!

Remember the vintage images from our childhood when we used to send each other Christmas Cards with beautiful images like these above ....? They are so beautiful and just looking at them I can feel a few bedtime stories coming on...

An elegant monotone tree and oh so glam....

Rolling out a batch of Christmas Cheer...isn' this just gorgeous?

I want to tip toe into this room and just quietly sit and stare and take it all in....

Candy cane fun wreath to make...

It's de lovely...isn't it just?

....the staircase..oh, and the tree, of course...

Of course, as an urn addict, these were pinned instantly, clicked to enlarge and swooned over....by yours truly.

The dog is getting the festive treatment....content to take it all in...."arms" folded in a "well, it doesn't get any better than this, does it?" kinda way...

Dashing out to collect the mail would be a pleasure with a mail box adorned like this....

It never really occurs to me to decorate the light fittings.... I can't imagine why ?

Christmas stocking holders of epic delight.... I was most put out not to be able to see the rest of those elegant looking stockings!!

I want these...

This is so easy to make that even a DIYer (destroy it yourself...)person like me would be able to manage it...

I adore this arrangement of mini trees and old books!

Wreaths abound....

Simplicity with decadent abandon...

Gasp of delight...

 

A moment of pleasure...firstly the red door....

and then it's decor!

Well, are you inspired to decorate for the season?

To bring a little Joy to the World....?

Let's get to it and start a season of sharing...

Happy pinning and decorating

Live well

Veronica

xxx

all images are from pinterest and you are all most welcome to pin away....Jingle bells, jingle bells....

Comments are also welcome....thanks for stopping by..

Joining the following linky parties"

Anything Goes at Type A here

Wicket Awesome Wednesday at Handy Man Crafty Women  here

Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style here