Written by Cherrie Taylor - a friend of Highdown Gardens. The Gardens.....my story! Spring… springtime again…where have the months gone? I come up here each spring, early April usually, when the daffodils climb with me up the hill - up the road that leads me north to the gardens and downs. It’s cold and I feel the chill against my face as I alight from the bus and begin the ascent. Not too steep - just feels like it today – I’m tired. It’s been a long winter and my heart is heavy. That smell and the colour – the dancing heads saying, ‘come this way – don’t look back… just up and up.’ I reach the gate – its open and I walk along the path glancing at the herb garden on my left and then ahead at the crocus families sitting around the trees lining the path. The trees with bark like paper pealing off. The horse chestnut tree – sticky buds showing says, ‘You here again!’ I squeeze a bud between my fingers before taking the path down to the right and to the chalk pit ahead - holding this special place like a cloak safely in his arms. I walk across the lawn and peer into the pond. No fish swimming – perhaps the cold is keeping them hidden under rocks. Tadpoles though, still in their mass of spawn are growing - no longer just dots. I climb the steps above the cave and Im in the rose garden – no blooms - no fragrant smell – not yet. Under the arbour and down the descending path the hellebores light my way and the anemones wave me on - their smiles so welcome. I sit on the seat by the Judas tree – so old now it needs a protective arm to hold it up. No flowers yet born on its branches – I love her mystery. The sun sends rays of warmth, tempering the chill and I walk on breathing in the air. I circle round looking for other favourites– the handkerchief tree and the strawberry tree - so surprising that I find them each time. On the ground the snowdrops and crocuses are telling me they are nearly over but the tulips are visible - leaves pushing up and they say, ‘we won’t be long – come back and see us soon’ I leave by the lower gate and remember times past and walk downhill into the future. Cherrie Taylor almost April 2013 Highdown Gardens
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 09:51:48 +0000
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