I popped to Highgrove today! 12.4.12

So glad you had a nice day and belated Happy BD :)

Why the no camera rule??

Oh,what a shame you couldn't take pics,G.mage..I am very surprised at that..you were hardly going to run off with the Crown Jewels,were you ? I'm glad you still had a lovely day out..what a thoughtful gift..:o)

Belated birthday wishes, I have heard this before they are very strict indeed, such a shame, but how lovely for you. I would love to see it.

Glad you had a good day and Happy Birthday too. I would have been disappointed not to be able to take photos - was it so they hoped you would buy postcards, etc in the shop? Perhaps I am being a bit cynical?

Happy Birthday Grandmage - is your Bday 14th April ??? Think I remember it was - Happy Birthday for whenever :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Shame it didn't allow cameras , looks a wonderful place and good day out :)))))))))))))))

You may have discovered they grow Organic vegetables for the Royal table, the same way we do on our alloments. Ha ha.

Such a lovely birthday treat for you.....Many happy returns....

I suppose that they have to be careful, someone told me that the visitors have security checks when they book?

What a great friend you have and I am glad you had a lovely birthday! my hubby bought me tickets for the Chelsea flower show,for my b/day. I am so excited I can't wait.

I guess there was no photos due to the war on the dictionary, starting at 't' with the word 'terror'...oh no 'al qaeda attack on trimmed hedges' I think not.
'Prince Charles work' lol, dont you mean the army of minimum wage minions !!
I would like to go but would have mixed feeling about an all to perfect garden provided by a life of privilege (and us) but at least he made one with his approach which is of interest

Forgot to say how much I like that second photo with the topiary. A real work of art there, fascinating.

I'll start with you Stevie!! Lol..... I thought the same as you and I said 'Charlie work?' and got told that he does a lot of work in the garden but I still dont believe it, the garden however is not perfect ie. in straight lines, it is planted randomly, wild flowers and plants everywhere, growing seemingly wild but manicured that way!! They employ 12. workers/gardeners!! Boy have they got their work cut out because managing wild flower meadows cannot be easy.
Jenny... I also have tickets for Chelsea, another b.day pressie from my children!! I am excited too.
Pam. we had to have our passports with us and were told under no circumstances were we to even think of taking a photo, also mobiles off!
Diane... the veg. plot did look rather like anyone elses, Lol except each bed and they are in quarters, is surrounded by a low rosemary hedge, nice.
Paul...my b.day was in march and I usually keep it quiet, it is my GOY b.day (the day I joined goy) thats in April.
Gee...funny you should mention p.cards!! yes they were for sale only 35p. good value I thought which is just as well because the shop was frightfully expensive!
Dd...it was a beautiful day and I am always happy wandering around a nice garden, the soil was as black as jet, incredible, freshly dug compost with horse muck added!!
B....security was top notch, we were told not to 'wander' off the paths we were being led down due to electric sensors which would bring police running!!! Lol Think we were all over 60 and had no intention of diverting, but I suppose you will always get one!
Lil....This garden belongs to our future King and I suppose security has to be number one! It is an incredible garden, when he purchased the place it was mearly a field/meadow with sheep grazing! No wonder the earth was rich.
Forgot to tell you he houses a national colln. of Hostas, they were all fat buds poking through the most beautiful rich soil and not a slug/snail in sight because they have ponds all around and therefore hungry frogs too.

Hi Gee, take a look at google images of Highgrove and you can get an idea of the work that goes on there. The yew hedges all around had windows cut into them and the view through the 'windows' was amazing.He also had some very quirky sculptures and objects which were/are gifts that he places in the garden so they are being used. I reckon he just wanted to get rid of them because some were bizarre. There is also a Highgrove website to look at too.

A good day out. I'm glad you enjoyed :o)

Your friend obviously loves you . . . she knew you would appreciate such a great day out (Happy belated Birthday)! Apparently they want names of visitors in advance - no substitutes allowed - incredibly tight security. Still, it was clever of you to borrow photos from the website :)) I suppose someone might sell photos, but why worry, when they're all on the web?

Birthday wishes from me, too!

What a lovely pressie. I think our kids are relieved to find gardening related presents, then they know we will enjoy? I got Chelsea tickets a couple of years ago, too, for a very very big birthday.

What a security palaver at Highgrove! The Balmoral estate near me still allows public access to the forest walks without a policeman in sight. Long may it continue.

I think thats a grand present to receive and would be ecstatic if I was able to go, as to the security situation, thats exactly what I personally would expect and actually disappointed if it wasn`t, thats a sad thing isn`t it..
Glad you enjoyed it and thankyou for sharing...

Wouldn't it be great if sculptors etc. would stop 'gifting' stuff to royalty (after all, they are pretty loaded and can support artists) and gifted their works of art to you and me instead! lol! If you're rich enough it seems you never have to pay for anything! However, I'm not bitter...I wouldn't want to be a Royal at all...nope, no thanks. I have seen a really good book about the garden, nearly bought it actually. It is inspiring isn't it....pity about all the policemen, but I'm so glad you got to go and obviously enjoyed it very much! :))))

http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/news/inpictures/160605/bizarre-royal-wedding-presents.slideshow

500 cases of tinned pineapple chunks lol,
and pic 16 scandal HRH using peat!!

Stevie, i wonder if that is why the earth was such a dark black colour?? Surely not! I was told it is all home made muck (with a little peat added too?) Hey I love the silver plated mouse trap!!!
Hi Karen, you would have loved the drift wood all around the garden, it was everywhere and some covered in moss, most of the sculptures were a little random but there were ones I liked too. I was pleased to hear that he has had a small shed built just for bees to take up residence in, we couldnt see this as it was in a place where we couldnt go.
Thank you Lincs. I didnt mind the security at all but was dissapointed at not being able to take photos.
Hi Oji. I love pressies like this, the kids are so thoughtful arent they. I wonder if you decided to go off the public path at Balmoral would police appear from the bushes !!
Sheila....they were selling blank cards that had photos of the garden on, very nice and for a £1 good value.
Cheers Hywel......x

OH NO! I am only 3 miles down the road!!!!

I was on a coach trip Lou, so we couldnt have arranged a meet, we did stop in Tetbury for half an hour, lovely place, have you been to Highgrove?

Twice! Once in winter for a job interview....'Work quick and hide from royalty and guests'...no thanks! And I went one summer and loved being shown the garden. Apparently the garden changes a lot, so would now like to go again!

I can imagine that work ethic Lou!, there were police everywhere and we were told 'not to stray' of any path or else!! When we were there the meadows had just finished their spring show ie. daffs etc. but next was Camissias followed by Alliums in their thousands! Phew. fab. the soil I noticed was as black as jet and was told it has just house and garden waste + horse muck!! Wonderful stuff, they should sell it.

Apparently that soil is produced in 8 weeks!!

How do they do that, bet there is a squad employed to just turning it over Lol.

YUP!