Trowels Blog: March 2013

Sunday, 31 March 2013

Part 2 Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome

Part 2 follows on from Part 1 which showed some photos of the Botanical Gardens and some of Gardens by the Bay too.

It would be wonderful if we had Gardens like this in Scotland, I would certainly be there all the time visiting! Saying that, we do have many nice gardens including the one that I am a volunteer at in the walled garden at Glamis Castle, but nothing on this scale.

Here we are now on the 31st March and its still cold with a lot of snow still around. So it is nice to look back at the photos of a wonderful holiday in Singapore.

These were seats outside the entrance to the Flower Dome.

An Easter Display

This is the waterfall in the Cloud Forest.

These Hibiscus were stunning.

One of the many Orchids to finish.

Technorati Tags: Singapore

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Glamis Castle Walled Garden Project

For anyone who does not know, my friend Karen and I have become involved in the restoration project of the walled garden at Glamis Castle (http://www.glamis-castle.co.uk/gardens.cfm).

Karen and I go on a Tuesday and a Thursday to volunteer. So if anyone is planning a visit, please come and see us up in the Walled Garden Project where we are helping the fulltime staff to restore the walled garden.

We have been sowing seeds in the Potting Shed and prinking out seedlings in the Glasshouse. Today we were hoping to make a start with planting plants for the making of a herbaceous border but it is on hold until the weather improves.

We and all the country are in middle of a cold spell with lots of snow, although its not been nearly as bad here on the East as it has been on the West. Pretty to see but I think it is time to see Spring blooms and new born lambs.

What a pleasure today it was for me to see 3 deer and they stopped and looked at me. I also saw the beautiful Highland Cattle. I didn’t have my camera to hand today, so maybe next time.

If you have never visited the Castle and gardens if you come to Scotland you must visit.

As you can see we have been busy.

We so loved this cloche and under here is pepper plants as we will be planting out a kitchen garden for the restraunt too.

This will be the herbaceous border.

The Arches look Fantastic now that they are painted black.The Glasshouse where Karen and I (and of course our mascot Karens wee doggie Mollie) work and blether.

This is a passion flower which has come through the winter and is now in bud.

This is the kitchen Garden before planting up to help feed the restraunt at the castle.

The Compost Bins are amazing. This is a new project, so it will be interesting to see how the compost develops.

And these are some of the Orchids which I will be giving TLC.

I will be posting to this blog all through the season, so we are now all wishing

the weather will improve. As I said, you will see us working in the walled garden or kitchen garden throughout the season so why not come and say hi!

Technorati Tags: Glamis Castle,Walled Garden,Project

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Singapore Botanical Gardens & Gardens by the Bay Part 1

Hi everyone. I have just been on holiday to Singapore and would like to share some of my photos with you.

It was hot and humid 32deg and have come home to snow - brrrrrrrrrrrr cold. At least we have seasons that change although it was nice to be able to go out at night in light clothes.

Come walk with me in the Botanical Gardens.

And now many Orchids

It was so nice to dip my hands in here to get cooled down.

On route to Gardens by the Bay, you pass by the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. It is one of the many developments in this area that didn’t exist just a few years ago. You’ve probably seen it if you follow the Formula 1 races.

Each night there was a laser show from the top of the hotel that could be seen from anywhere in the vicinity.

And on top there is a swimming pool. It has an infinity pool that looks as if the water stops at the edge of the building. I didn’t go up but I believe the views of the city are nice.

You can see the Singapore Flyer below, which currently is the largest observation wheel in the world but that will soon be eclipsed by one in Dubai and other cities. I will share some pictures taken from the wheel in another blog sometime.