A Spa Day and Dress Down Friday

Gareth's eBay purchase of another Gunnera Manicata, took us on a road trip to Royal Leamington Spa, last weekend, just over an hour away in Shakespeare's County of Warwickshire.  I have been a little worried about his obsession with this giant rhubarb, believing it to be invasive, but after further research, it turns out that it is the Gunnera Tinctoria that is the horticultural equivalent of the black sheep of the family, due to the ease with which it spreads through the thousands of seeds contained within its flower spikes (80,000-250,000 per plant allegedly), distributed easily by water courses and birds.  In any event, we have another fibre glass pond in mind.  The plan is to submerge it and develop it into a bog garden with the Gunnera being the star of the show...but more the spiky beast later.

Royal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or Leamington, is a spa town and civil parish which grew from a small village into a spa town in the 18th century, following the popularisation of its water, reputed to have medicinal qualities.  The town, named after the River Leam, which flows through the centre, underwent a period of rapid expansion in the 19th century.  With its impressive church, stunning Georgian architecture, parks and extensive independent shops (plus a few eye-wateringly expensive charity shops), I couldn't believe we hadn't visited before.

This exquisitely decorated Tea Room caught my eye.  Unfortunately, it was closed for a private function...a "princess" on a mic, serenading a party of children was just visible through the elaborately dressed windows.

Fancy a hair cut?  You might get more than you bargained for!

I indulged in a spot of doorway photography.  Check out these beauties.

The weather was sublime, so we grabbed a couple of toasted paninis (Pesto chicken for me and Coronation chicken with jalapenos for Gareth) and headed past the Grade II listed Pump House Gardens (laid between 1844 and 1903), clocking the bandstand for the BBAS (Blogger's Bandstand Appreciation Society)...

...to the immaculate and historic Jephson Gardens, established 200 years ago and boasting a subtropical glass house, which naturally was closed for the day.  We were on a roll!

Another glimpse of the glass house, the sun kissing the beautiful bark of a Eucalyptus tree in the foreground.

The garden was voted "Best Garden in England" in 2004 and it's of little surprise.  Thanks to extensive regeneration in the 90s, the park has regained its original status as the place to be seen.

Here's a glimpse of the Jephson Memorial.  We couldn't get near it thanks to the sea of visitors posing for photos.  Yes, it's a notable building, erected in 1848-1849; a domed temple with a marble statue of Dr Henry Jephson (surgeon-apothecary and local philanthropist) at its centre (read more about him here. Dr Henry Jephson | Leamington History Group), 

but many music lovers might be more familiar with the memorial courtesy of the cover of the Moseley Shoals album by Solihull rock band Ocean Colour Scene.

Continuing our walk and escaping the attentions of a bearded male photographer who seemed intent on discussing kit with me, we were wowed by the beauty of this green space.  The tree canopies had a seemingly endless reach...

and we were also rewarded with views of Mill Gardens, a 4-acre grassy area with a boathouse just across the river.

Ink Cap Fungi

The dreamy garden vista above is East Lodge Garden's Chelsea Flower Show gazebo from 2014, designed by Sarah Horne and Debbie Cooke, featuring a handmade Regency style arbour crafted by sculptor Clive Sanderson.  The insect friendly garden won a silver medal and in 2015, was gifted to the town.  

With the parking meter calling, we headed out of the greenery, over the ironwork Mill Bridge crossing the weir...

...and after the briefest of visits to the impressive All Saints Church (Dr Jephson's wedding venue)

...back into the less loved side of Leamington...

....leaving Dickens to his day dreams.  (Dickens visited Leamington in 1838 on his tour of the Midlands and Wales and the town features in his novel Dombey & Son).

Back at home, the Gunnera is flourishing.

Other than the Green Giant, the garden is looking increasingly autumnal as the leaves have started falling in earnest.

Lotte is an Autumn cat, using her camouflage to deadly effect.

Fungi is plentiful this year, including the alien like jelly ear fungus that really looks like it belongs in a specimen jar in a museum.

With the golden hue of Autumn and the dipping evening temperatures ushering in the eight-legged invaders, I'm embracing the season and have made a few acquisitions to supplement my winter wardrobe (all second-hand buys).  I'll show you a few, for "Dress Down Friday."  First up, after living in my East denim jumpsuit last year, I spotted these Free People denim dungarees (originally retailing at £88.00 and snaffled by me for a fraction of the price).

Pink is the colour of Autumn/Winter 2022 and I happen to like it.  I've tired of skinny jeans and have, of late, been adopting a more grown up, relaxed fit, which I'm quite liking.  Here are my Zara jeans, teamed with a vintage belt, unstructured vintage jacket and second-hand pink crew neck jumper.

A Jaegar Breton top made from a warming heavy cotton was another recent find...

and finally, the luxe item - a pale grey, pink trimmed cashmere jumper.

I'm not sure why I look so tired in these photos.  It's been a pretty chilled out day all things considering, courtesy of a mother/daughter stroll and coffee and cake (mulled apple) at Archie's Attic run by my lovely namesake Claire, close to the Enville Estate.

Have a good weekend!