Final blaze of glory

The colours of Autumn this year have been exceptional ...


You must be getting tired of my pictures of leaves and trees, but on Friday afternoon we had a walk in Abbotsbury Gardens and the colours were so incredible that I just had to share!




We bought a season ticket back in May and it has been lovely to continually return and notice all the changes that each season brings. As we walked around we saw a couple of gardeners, and lots of pheasants that disappeared rapidly into the undergrowth. Is there still glimpses of Autumn colour  where you live?



There were many of these plant covers over the cactus and more tender plants.They made us smile and reminded us of umbrellas from the 70's. The gardens have a subtropical climate and are very sheltered. On the Chesil beach, close by, it felt very different with a cold wind blowing and icy blue coloured waves more in keeping with the feel of December!



Thank you for taking the time to leave me comments, I was very touched with those you left on my sunshine post.  Val has now resolved her blogging problems so I have taken down my previous post passing on her message, it's good to you have you back Val!

Wishing you a good week.
Sarah x

Comments

  1. JuanitaTortilla1 December 2013 at 19:32

    That red bridge POPPED right out of my screen! It's nice to see these images of golden Autumn, again; we're all bare now with the cold dark days of Winter by our doorstep.

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  2. flowersandhome1 December 2013 at 19:33

    I never get tired of trees and leaves especially in Autumn colours. Beautiful post again and love the umbrella plant covers, clever idea. Must have been great to go back to the garden in different seasons and see the changes.
    Marian

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  3. Lynn1 December 2013 at 19:46

    Gorgeous pictures, and I love the umbrella cloche. Stylish!

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  4. Em Parkinson1 December 2013 at 20:09

    I adore Chesil beach. Geoffrey Poole has a brilliant theory as to its creation but I can't quite remember it! I couldn't remember which of your posts it was where I asked if you knew of Geoff so couldn't go back and check if you'd replied. Brain like a sieve as my Grandmother used to say. Beautiful colours too - most have dumped their leaves here I'm afraid!

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    1. Down by the sea1 December 2013 at 20:13

      It was on the " Edge of the sea" 6th Nov.
      Sarah x

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  5. Castles Crowns and Cottages1 December 2013 at 20:14

    Good afternoon precious Sarah! I never, ever tire of seeing nature lavish us with a feast of celebration. The "warm" weather has lingered indeed, and we have not had any snow yet on this Dec. 1! But we will take what we can, and rejoice!

    Thank you so much for visiting my home today....Anita

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  6. ANNE1 December 2013 at 20:21

    So beautiful! and that red bridge just pops!

    Lovely photos. It's snowing to beat the band here. Less than a month to Christmas!!!!!!!!

    xox

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  7. Claire1 December 2013 at 20:32

    love these photo's, great colours! I used to have one of those umbrellas :)

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  8. Amy at love made my home1 December 2013 at 20:50

    Very beautiful, one day I will get to Abbotsbury, I keep saying that I want to go! I love the wicker deer and the plant covers - I reckon they have to be actual umberellas, surely!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful scenery. xx

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    1. Down by the sea1 December 2013 at 21:05

      We did think they were umbrellas at the time, we should have looked more closely. I'm not sure what they did with the handle.
      Sarah x

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  9. Rosemary1 December 2013 at 20:54

    I have been out capturing the last of the leaves too. Do you think that they have lasted so long because of the chilly cold Spring, and the lack of strong winds?
    Your photos are so colourful, and beautifully enhanced by the Monet red bridge. The icy blue waves crashing onto Chesil beach are 'magnifico'.

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    1. Down by the sea1 December 2013 at 21:14

      I expected many leaves to fall when we had the storm so time ago. They say that it has been one of the best years for autumn colour in the south west for a very long time.
      Sarah x

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  10. greenthumb1 December 2013 at 21:14

    All the colours are so very pretty, love the look of the plants under the umbrellas. Have a good week.

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  11. Louise1 December 2013 at 21:52

    Those autumn colours are fantastic, but I really love the icy colour of the sea in the last photo!

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  12. CJ1 December 2013 at 21:55

    I can't imagine I'll ever be tired of your beautiful photos. They are stunning. I love the little plant covers. I have something similar with net over it for putting over the top of cakes and things to stop small boys from getting them.

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  13. rabbitquilter1 December 2013 at 23:17

    I wonder if the 'umbrella' cloches are the Queen's cast offs, she uses brolly's like that!!!! A 'green' Queen maybe?!!! Beautiful autumnal colours. Have been in our garden this afternoon and put it to bed for the winter, it was most pleasant just pottering and there was a Blackbird quietly singing in the apple tree too!

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  14. Draffin Bears2 December 2013 at 01:26

    Hi Sarah,

    I always enjoy seeing your beautiful beaches, parks and gardens - one never tires of seeing more lovely photos from your place. Love the pretty Autumn leaves and the bridge is a neat pop of colour. Also great to learn more about you in the previous post.
    Have a happy week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  15. Mel @ Coal Valley View2 December 2013 at 02:07

    Autumn is my favourite season and your photos have captured exactly why with all those beautiful colours. Just lovely. Mel x

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  16. BadPenny2 December 2013 at 09:21

    I rather like the umbrella covers ! We drove through the New Forest yesterday & the trees were beautiful.

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  17. SeagullSuzie2 December 2013 at 10:29

    I am determined to visit Abbotsbury Gardens after seeing your posts on the lovely place. The colours are just beautiful and it's amazing to think we still have these leaf colours in December.

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  18. Unknown2 December 2013 at 11:36

    Lovely, lovely photos- the bridge really stands out and the leaves are gorgeous- Beautiful.

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  19. Unknown2 December 2013 at 11:43

    Good morning my dear friend Sarah :) i love your post and the photos are so beautiful :) the nature and the sea my favorit.
    I think that if you came to my home town one day (Olhão in Algarve , Portugal ) you will love the sea view :)
    Wish you a peaceful day
    Love and hugs
    Nina ***

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    1. Down by the sea2 December 2013 at 21:16

      I didn't realise you lived in Olhão, we have stayed in Tavria which we loved and have been past Olhão in the train. We would love to return one day.
      Sarah x

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  20. Anonymous2 December 2013 at 12:59

    The colours are fabulous indeed, and it won't be long now before they've gone so it is lovely to see them in your photos. That sea does look very chilly- not tempted to pop in for a swim then? x

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    1. Down by the sea2 December 2013 at 21:17

      No swimming for me brr, would your husband still swim if he could?
      Sarah x

      Delete
  21. rusty duck2 December 2013 at 15:17

    I don't think I'd tire of Abbotsbury either and wish I lived close enough to justify a season ticket. Love the deer family in the first photo and the plant covers. rabbitquilter beat me to it... my first thought was Queen Mum umbrella! The leaves are pretty much all down here. Lots of clearing up to do now!

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  22. Elizabeth2 December 2013 at 17:27

    I have noticed that since we've had a few frosts that the trees have really changed to being very rusty, now the winds need to blow the leaves off as the trees seem late letting go.

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  23. Emilie's daughter2 December 2013 at 19:05

    Yes, it is good to have Val back! ---- Your pics are amazing! It is the same here many trees are still carrying their leaves but now they are getting naked as the cold set in. Brisk winds, snow fall... but wonderful! If you knew how much I envy you being at the sea during winter... I am really, really jealous - it sounds and looks awesome! I never get tired of your posts! NEVER! Christa

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  24. Studio Kaufmann2 December 2013 at 23:51

    Thanks so much for sharing your lovely pics Val! I love the shots of Abbotsbury Gardens and Chesil beach. Takes me back to cold winter walks by the beach when I lived in the UK with the seaspray in my face. I now live in the USA. Love your Westie and kitty too!

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  25. Anonymous3 December 2013 at 07:02

    Looks like Abbotsbury is another one to add to my list of places to visit next time I'm in Dorset.
    Lovely pictures :)

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  26. Wendy3 December 2013 at 12:04

    Your photos are lovely - I would never tire looking at autumn colour - or any other wonder of nature. It is fascinating to see how autumn looks in different places.
    I love the deer and the sea does look very wintry.

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  27. kristieinbc3 December 2013 at 16:23

    I never get tired of looking at pictures of fall colours! You are lucky they have lasted so long where you live. Other than the odd leaf clinging for dear life to an otherwise bare tree, fall is behind us here in BC.

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  28. elaine 3 December 2013 at 22:14

    I agree with Wendy I never tire of the colours of autumn lovely to see those gardens still full of colour.

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  29. Anonymous4 December 2013 at 02:13

    I love your autumn pictures, the bright yellows I like the best but the fire red is wonderful too.

    I am in the mountains of South Carolina, USA, our autumn colors have been gone for weeks now but we had a beautiful autumn like are are having! A little snow last week but it has melted. Check out my post with pictures of our autumn colors, Rich Colors of Autumn

    I love all your pictures, I enjoyed visiting..
    Greetings from Greenville, South Carolina, USA
    Michael

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  30. Seawashed4 December 2013 at 07:15

    I will never tire of the beauty you share here...I love nature. Those waves of your winter sea are breathtakingly beautiful!!!!! love.

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  31. Pallavi4 December 2013 at 12:38

    I love the autumn colors Sarah. They are sooo beautiful and vibrant :)
    Have a lovely day . hugs.

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  32. Paula4 December 2013 at 16:29

    Those colours are just amazing, there's still some colour left in the trees around here I love to see on my walks.

    I liked that idea of using umbrellas as cloches (not sure I'm using the correct term here).

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  33. Art and Sand4 December 2013 at 17:03

    Like kristieinbc who commented before me, I NEVER tire of your lovely photos.

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  34. Jolanda4 December 2013 at 21:54

    I love your colorful autumn pictures. Tomorrow thers is a big storm coming to the netherlands, so the leaves will be gone after that i think...lovely greetings

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    1. Down by the sea5 December 2013 at 07:26

      The storm will affect the North of England and Scotland too. I hope you don't all suffer to much damage.
      Sarah x

      Delete
  35. Karen Xavier5 December 2013 at 07:19

    The varying shades of autumn are lovely... when does it start to snow? Love the pensive statue too...

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  36. In My Wild Eden5 December 2013 at 17:33

    I never get tired of autumn color. Your pictures are beautiful. I love the little "umbrellas". I had one as a girl in the 70's. Thanks for bringing back the memory.

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  37. Dartford Warbler5 December 2013 at 17:50

    Beautiful! I love the red bridge and the cactus umbrellas.

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  38. Madelief5 December 2013 at 19:33

    beautiful photo's from the Arboretum Sarah!

    Madelief x

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  39. Anonymous5 December 2013 at 22:46

    The color on the leaves are beautiful, but that red bridge makes me swoon. I laughed when I saw the umbrellas and then read your comment about them. Thanks for taking me along on the garden tour. xok

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  40. Annie Cholewa6 December 2013 at 10:53

    Gosh, yes! Thank you for sharing these Sarah ... those gardens are breath taking :)

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  41. Maria6 December 2013 at 12:14

    ~ Autumn and all her glory has 'hug on' here too Sarah! Your beautiful pictures capture her perfectly! LOVE the sweet red bridge... I could tip toe over that into who knows where land.....hehe!
    Those umbrella's are a blast from our past too and do a wonderful job..
    Thanks for kind words on Dean.....He will have to listen to his body more carefully, as he has missed his chance to visit Florida warm weather training this year :(. ~ These things take time to heal....
    Ooh glad we have our lovely Val back.....~ she like you has been a blog buddy from my very first posts on here....
    Sending blessings of the season.....Love Maria x

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  42. My name is Riet7 December 2013 at 17:41

    Wow those colors are beautiful. Autumncolors I love them.

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  43. Unknown7 December 2013 at 18:47

    Hi Sarah, Autumn happens to be my favourite season. I think it's because I grew up in a very warm country and are seasons were hardly noticeable, I so appreciate our English seasons, the colours, the leaves, the wind, the winding down to the start of winter. I love this post and I really do like those willow deer in the picture...have a great weekend! Sharon x

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  44. Jay7 December 2013 at 23:42

    Beautiful pictures Sarah, I love that little red bridge and I love the beach at any time of year although our coast has taken a bit of a battering just lately!

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  45. Things and Thoughts8 December 2013 at 09:10

    These photos are so beautiful, you are so good Sarah to capture the beauties of nature!I also love so much the sight of the wintry sea, simply fascinating!
    Wish you a happy 2 Advent!
    Hugs, Olympia

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  46. Lesley FW8 December 2013 at 17:45

    The Christmas tree book is wonderful, will be trying this out.

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