Inspired

Gardening may not be my favourite pastime, but I cannot help but admire the sheer beauty of landscaped gardens like this.
This particular garden is rather more of a park, than simply a garden, and is cared for professionally by an army of grounds people. Yet, even taking that into consideration, I can crave gardens like this, while acknowledging that I can never achieve.
This is the Ravalat castle and park across the Channel in Cherbourg, or as it is known locally Le parc et chateau des Ravalat, a magnificent Renaissance style castle surrounded by an extensive 17 hectare park complete with ponds, outstandingly beautiful gardens, and a tale of French romance behind it.
That tale was sufficient to inspire both literature and a film which figured in the Cannes Film Festival last year.
My modest garden, large enough by my standards, will never compare with the sheer elegance and beauty of this, yet I am delighted that there are places like this I can visit and drink in the atmosphere.
Next weekend the grounds are set to provide the backdrop for a bi-annual botanical festival, the Peninsular in Bloom, or Presqu'ile en fleurs which is set to bring around 50 nursery growers together as well as botanical clubs for an event themed as "romantic gardens."