Secret Garden

I read The Secret Garden when I was about eleven years old.  I loved the idea of a neglected garden coming to life.  When I was reading, I felt like I was tending the garden with the children and seeing the results.  I couldn't think of anything lovelier than quiet refuge populated by birds and blooms.  If you know a little girl in this age range, I recommend this inspiring book!

When I was in England, staying near Gloucestershire, Dan and I were invited to take a peek at the grounds of the Manor House associated with the Frampton Court Estate, where we were staying.  While we were walking around the expansive gardens, the owner came out and welcomed us onto his property.  I thought that we might be intruding, but he was happy to show us around and we found that we had so much in common.  When he heard that we watched "Foyle's War" on DVD in America, he knew we were kindred spirits.

This is the arched brick doorway into his secret garden.  Isn't it lovely!  There was a hitch in my breath when I came around the corner and saw it.  An entrance to a garden that comes straight out of my imagination.