Surrey summer in full swing (well, Hampshire actually)

West Green House Garden

*Ugh*

To me, it already feels like we have had a long summer and I am desperate for autumn to be on its way. That's unfortunate, with half of July and all of August yet to come. I tell you, if I hear an English person complain that there's been 'no summer' I will be tempted to slap them.

However, an English summer does bring some positive aspects. There are festivals galore, summer fairs, and oh my goodness - the gardens!

The rose-covered pergola at Polesden Lacey

Shakespeare recital in the rose garden at Polesden Lacey

Look at the height of that cow parsley
- it's like Day of the Triffids!

The long summer days and evenings make for a more leisurely pace. There's no need to hurry home from work and shovel down some dinner in time to race out for an evening walk before dark; it's light until 10pm for many weeks at summer's peak.

In the past couple of months I've met up with various local friends for walks and coffees in numerous beautiful locations, and Kevin and I have enjoyed our usual evening strolls in nearby Epsom Common and Horton Country Park.

This time of year also brings visits from Australian friends and family, and good friend Lesley has just returned home after six weeks exploring gardens, historic houses, antiques stores and churches whilst undertaking Trusted Housesitter assignments in wide-ranging locations. Lesley has had no problem occupying every single day of that period, such is the bounty of attractions available in this country - and in fact she has barely scratched the surface!

I was fortunate enough to join Lesley on a couple of her jaunts, and on her last full day in the UK we met at West Green House Garden in Hartley Wintney, just over the border in Hampshire; about an hour's drive for each of us. 

Outside the café building at West Green House Garden

The pleached hornbeam walk at West Green House Garden

West Green House

This wonderful small property technically belongs to the National Trust, however since the early 1990s it has been leased to renowned Australian garden designer, Marylyn Abbott, whose Kennerton Green garden in Mittagong, New South Wales (about an hour from Sydney) was Australia's most visited garden.

The history of this property is quite dramatic. Prior to Marylyn Abbott taking over the lease, the former tenant Lord Alistair McAlpine was targeted by the IRA who detonated a bomb in the forecourt of the house. The house was badly damaged and the National Trust had to consider demolishing the building. Happily, they committed to undertaking the structural and external repairs, and began the search for a tenant who would complete the internal works, as well as restoring the gardens.

With Lesley having visited Kennerton Green years ago it was a fitting final stop on her garden tour. What a beautiful, tranquil place, with superbly designed plantings, and lots of interest in the form of walls, gates, bridges and meandering paths. It also has the most lovely cafe with excellent coffee - as you would expect from an expatriate Aussie!

The Moon Gate at West Green House Garden

The café at West Green House Garden

Inside the café

Teapot light fixtures in the café

Function area inside the greenhouse at West Green House Garden

Chandelier inside the greenhouse

Stacked gilt chairs add a dash of glamour to the greenhouse 

The Chicken Palace - surely England's most luxurious hen accommodation,
complete with chinoiserie wallpaper and porcelain feed dishes!

Blue temptations in the gift shop

Having explored West Green House Garden for a couple of hours, we drove on to a local pub. My TripAdvisor research once again proved invaluable - I had selected The Mill House in Odiham on the basis of its lovely setting and the menu published on its website. This appeared to be one of those rare venues in England that offers an alternative to wads of cheese as a vegetarian option. Bonus points go to The Mill House for almost being a goat's cheese free zone (they do include goat's cheese on their cheese platter, which I feel is acceptable).

Our lunch venue - The Mill in Odiham, near Hook

Well, blimey, this is one to file away for future reference. What a gorgeous spot, inside and out. There is a vast amount of outdoor seating overlooking the lake, and the interior is all oak beams, wonky floors and leaded windows, it being a Grade II listed watermill.

Very friendly staff was complemented by a great menu with a number of great options for me. I didn't have high hopes when I asked whether the Roast Squash and Red Lentil Tart contained dairy; I was fully expecting the answer to be 'Yes, it's got creme fraiche / yoghurt / soft cheese / ricotta' .... or indeed any combination of several of these items. Experience has taught me to be cynical in this regard. 

Well, smack my ass and call me Judy - no dairy! *winning*

We both enjoyed our food tremendously and I'd happily return.

So for the moment I am coping with summer, despite a couple of week-long periods where we had daily maximum temperatures between 28-35ºC.

Soon Kevin and I will be heading up to Scotland to undertake a Trusted Housesitters assignment for a couple of weeks, and I am hopeful that Scotland will come through with its usual inclement weather - at the very least, we'd have to be very unlucky for it not to be cooler. Fingers crossed.

Soon there will be blackberries to gather - Autumn on the way!

Until next time,
- Maree  xo