Katharine: Garden group goes to Balaruc

 Editor:  a glorious plenty on this day, including photos from Caroline, Maggie, Anne, Robyn and Katharine C.  Thank you to everyone for sending them to Scriveners. 

Vivien and Alain Raoult laid on a smashing day for the Garden Group in early June, starting with a visit to the gardens in Balaruc that have been developed to resemble the gardens of antiquity of Rome.

Robyn, Rosie, Maggie and Peggy R

Under one of the magnificent pergolas covered in an ancient floribunda climbing rose

Part of a section devoted to plants for cooking - these are garlic plants

... and so are these

One of several glorious pergolas .....

... seen in the background here

The Romans aimed to stay cool during the hot summers

The coolness of shade under this pergola

Leslie and our wonderful docent lead our group under this wonderful bower.  Our docent
was so informative, it made a difference to our visit.  He holds doctorates in archeology, botany and anthropology.  I think it's okay for his Mom to introduce him as "my son, the doctor". 

The group assesses the garlic patch

Glorious displays of flowers at the Gardens

Leslie, Viv (wearer of that bastion of the Raj, the pith helmet, most suitable)

Okay, your Editor is crazy about these pergolas. 

Topiary (didn't know the Romans did that)

... and of course olives, this was so beautiful

Pergola again, in case you missed it the first time

And so to lunch..... at Viv and Alain's.  Alain and Michel awaited us, as did bottles of wine and a splendid lunch of Bouillabaisse Setoise, and pasta for the non-fish eaters, salads and strawberry and cheesecake desserts.  Alain and Viv entertained us royally. 

Phil, Sue Rich and Alain, our very gracious host

Michel and Leslie

Lunch outside on the terrace

Vivien, Caroline and Sue Rou

Sue Rich and her cousin from Oz

Everyone was ready for lunch when we arrived back at Viv and Alain's

Leslie, embracing summer

Linda, Katharine J and Rosie

Sue Rou and Robyn

One of the lunch tables .....

.... this was the other one

Elisabeth, Maggie, Viv, Sue Rey, Sue Rich's cousin, Katharine J, Sue Rou, Robyn, Linda, Sue Rich

A wonderful, happy day.  A great celebration of Summer.  And an insight into Roman times through the Gardens in Balaruc.  These are a must-see visit for AWG members and their guests over the summer - especially since they are in sight of the Mediterranean, glowing in the sun. 

Vivien and Alain, we salute you and thank you so much for such an enjoyable time.