If you're ever in the beautiful county of Northamptonshire, England, then drop by Coton Manor. I've provided a bit of information below, so you can learn a little more about this treasure trove of beauty. The images are my own and were taken just over four weeks ago. Enjoy. Coton’s Website http://www.cotonmanor.co.uk/ Coton Manor lies in peaceful Northamptonshire countryside and enjoys beautiful views providing an ideal setting for the garden. Coton has recently been featured in The English Garden and Gardens Illustrated as well as local and national TV programmes. The ten acre garden, originally laid out in 1925 by the grandparents of the present owner encloses a variety of smaller gardens providing surprises and contrasts as it gradually unfolds. Beyond the confines of the garden there is a newly established wildflower meadow and a magical five acre bluebell wood usually in flower late April / early May. Coton has recently been featured in "The English Garden", Country Living Magazine and Channel 4's "Garden Party". The House provides a central focus for the garden with the walls supporting unusual climbing roses, clematis and shrubs, while the York stone terraces display numerous pots overflowing with pelargoniums, verbenas, heliotropes, salvias and agapanthus. Luxuriant borders will delight the plant enthusiast while other visitors will enjoy the charm and special atmosphere of the garden, with colour and interest maintained throughout the season. The Nursery propagates over 1000 different varieties of plants, all from the garden. Many are unusual and not easily found elsewhere. Located in the stable yard, the Stable yard Cafe serves delicious homemade lunches each day the garden is open and teas all afternoon either inside or in the stable yard in fine weather. Special arrangements for groups are available. The combination of exploring the Garden, visiting the Nursery and relaxing over lunch or afternoon tea (or perhaps both!) makes a varied and enjoyable day spent at Coton. Opening Times - 2013 Good Friday 29th March to Sat 28th September Tuesday to Saturday Also Bank Holiday Weekends and Sundays in April and May 12 noon - 5.30pm (last admission 4.45pm) Admission Adults : £6.00 Concession : £5.50 Blurb: Winter McAndrew is on the brink of divorcing her philandering husband, Philip, when he dies in a car crash. One year later and with unfinished business; Philip is still earth bound and interfering in his wife’s love life. Trying to make amends isn't always easy when you're dead. Not only has Winter fallen for her old crush, Jack Tobin, but he also happens to be Philip’s cousin. With more complications than a woman needs at Christmas, Winter tries to find peace at her holiday home in The Lake District. However, when she finds herself snowed in with Jack; ghosts, old and new cause quite a stir. Will Winter get her man, or will ghostly Philip put an end to all her festive fantasies? Excerpt: “Oh heck,” she muttered. Not only did the vase shatter, but so too did her sexy daydream. Would it ever be possible for her to get though one of these daytime fantasies without breaking something in the shop? Last week it had been a coffee mug, the week before, a china soap dish. It wouldn’t do to get her sister too suspicious. “Tut, tut,” came the voice she was fast learning to hate. “Not another one of your smouldering day dreams I hope.” She turned around to see Philip; floating somewhere between the fragranced soaps and bath bombs. “I’m starting to get annoyed at you just turning up here uninvited, Philip. Can’t you send out a psychic calling card or something? Or even better, leave me alone.” He grinned, displaying his still perfect white teeth. Sadly, death had done little to deteriorate his charming good looks. “I can’t leave you until the deed is done. Whatever it may be. You know full well I need to do my good act on earth before I can pass over.” “Well hurry up and do it. It’s been a full year already. I thought you would have figured it out by now. Haven’t you any idea what it is you need to do?” “No. I haven’t. Believe me, I wish I could. This situation is just as bad for me as it is for you. I didn’t ask for it. Or this.” He gestured towards his attire. “It’s bloody freezing at the best of times, but this week has been awful. The cold gets everywhere.” “Perhaps you should have thought about your appearance before you died in a hospital gown. I’ve no sympathy at all. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to tidy this mess before Summer comes in.” “Ah, yes. You wouldn’t want her to see the evidence of your day dreams would you? If only I could read your mind dear wife. I’d love to know who is occupying your thoughts these days.” “Well let me assure you, it isn’t you. Now go.” He folded his arms sulkily and vanished into the ether. “Good riddance,” she muttered, bending to pick up the pieces of the broken vase. Her occasional clumsiness could be explained away, but she shuddered at the prospect of explaining her dead husband’s haunting. Buy link; http://store.solsticepublishing.com/winters-spirit/ Author’s Blog ; http://deborahmelanie.blogspot.co.uk/ Author’s Facebook ; https://www.facebook.com/deborah.melanie Deborah Melanie About the author; I write romance stories, am the wife of a retired semiprofessional footballer, live in Northampton, like my wine cold and my chocolate nearby.
1 Comment
6/22/2013 05:52:49 am
Thanks for letting me share my day out with you, Felicia.
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Felicia RogersWriting clean romance with laughter and love. Archives
April 2017
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