Sunny Day Photos at Longwood
by Elouise

Yesterday was spectacular, so we took off after lunch for an afternoon at Longwood Gardens. The newly renovated Italian Water Garden opened several weeks ago. Besides that, we hadn’t seen other areas of Longwood this season. Here’s a teeny tiny taste, with more to follow in a later post.
The eye of water at the top has been dry as a bone while renovation of the Water Garden was under way. It’s always a cool shady refuge. Quiet, with benches all around, and the sound of water spilling over into a creek rushing down to a waterfall that drops from the bell tower to a pool below.

We crossed the creek and walked by towering trees to the bell tower.
The giant trunk below is a dawn redwood.



Just beyond the bell tower above you can see stairs going
down from the Conservatory into the new Italian Water Garden.
The photo below was taken from the Bell Tower–
our first peek at the Water Garden from a distance.

Now we’re headed downhill from the Bell Tower to ground level.
On the way, we go through a shady wooded area.



Here we are at ground level behind the main fountains.
We’re going to go up the stairs for a close-up view of the main show!.
Note the small water fountain in the courtyard,
and the elevator tower just left of the stairway.


It’s 3:00 in the afternoon, time for water music and a brief water show.
Here are a few more photos taken from the viewing platform.
First, directly below us, looking toward the Conservatory.
Second, a look back at the Bell Tower.
Finally, I think the gentleman with the keys is checking out
music/water display coordination.



Stay tuned for more Longwood photos!
Β© Elouise Renich Fraser, 28 June 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser, 27 June 2017
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Sunny
Nice post and some great photos… Thank you so much for posting this! I haven’t been to Longwood Gardens in about five years… What a beautiful place.Thank you for reminding me that I need to go back. π
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The day was perfect–not too hot or humid! If you can get there, don’t wait. Run! Walk! Whatever…the Gardens are absolutely spectacular right now. Including the Lily Ponds. All fresh and new. π
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Do you suppose the garden is a little bit like Heaven?
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We can always dream, can’t we? Great question, Dave! π
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Beautiful photos!
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Thanks! ππ
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[…] Sunny day photos at Longwood – Telling the truth […]
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it looks so gorgeous, what a way to spend the day, indeed a place of peace and calm from the looks of it β€ looking forward to seeing more β€
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The weird thing is that usually, no matter how full the parking lots are, you can always find peace and calm somewhere…So wonderful. Almost, but not quite, as fine as sitting (in the shade, with a nice onshore breeze) next to the ocean! π
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Yes indeed…a reason to visit this area! Hint hint hint. Peace and calm to you this evening, Kim. π
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There is something decidedly English about Longwood.
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Yes. I agree! Kew Gardens is probably the most similar we’ve visited. The original owner of the Longwood estate was loaded–as is the foundation that runs the Gardens. He had trees imported from all over the world, then placed in habitats designed to be as close to their natural habitats as possible.
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Just visited a week ago. It was a rainy day but everything was bright and beautiful. We sprang for a membership so that we can go often, since we live only about 30 minutes away. Sitting under the trees in the Italian Water Garden was sublime. My happy place!!
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Oh…only 30 minutes away! That’s wonderful. We drive nearly an hour to get there, but I never regret going. Thanks for the comment!
Elouise
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