A Winter's Tale

Well, it’s mid-march and in previous years I would now be on the road, photographing various houses, gardens and hotels, all bathed in a wash of warm spring sunshine. Actually that’s probably a bit of a false memory (!) but we can dream! It’s cold and damp here (fortunately for my garden we have missed the snow in South Devon), so I am in the office doing admin.

It was a quiet but productive winter and I was lucky enough to shoot for a week in the Caribbean for long time clients P&O. It was definitely sunny there! I also photographed a couple of fabulous kitchens for Guild Anderson in Wiltshire, and also had a lovely day at Ascott House, now run by the National Trust, for Maak Contemporary ceramics… and there was a day near Dartmouth, photographing an amazing tree planting project.

Mostly though, I have been writing and photographing for my book, ‘A New Cottage Garden’ to be published next year by Pimpernel Press. I think it should be an interesting and (I hope!) beautiful book about making a garden. From both a personal and educational standpoint. Before I actually embarked on this, I hadn’t really thought through what was involved in writing and photographing a book, let alone actually building the garden! so many things to think about and plan. For inspiration, I visited East Lambrook Manor, one of the spiritual homes of cottage gardening for this project, and also popped down to see old friend Bath at Gunwalloe in Cornwall… always a joy!

Anyway, here’s to the swift arrival of spring, and thanks to all my clients and work friends. Keep in touch, I hope to see some of you again this year. The website has been revitalised; there are lots of new images, and plenty more to come!