Sissinghurst | - Click on the image above to view gallery
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 South cottage
It has been many years since I’d visited the gardens but I thought it might be a nice idea to make several visits during 2009 to see the changes during the seasons, starting just after the gardens open to visitors in late March. I arrived late morning and I remembered from a previous visit that you are given a timed ticket which may mean at busy times you have to wait to go in but once you are in the garden you can stay as long as you like. I was given a time which meant I’d just enough time to go and enjoy a bowl of home-made soup in the restaurant just before the lunchtime rush started.
 I got a window seat which allowed me to look out on a meadow where that morning some sheep and new-born lambs had just arrived. It’s always so endearing to watch the new lambs as they leap about and once I’d finished my soup I had to go and have a closer look and, of course, get some pictures. They really must have been only a day or two old as their umbilical cords were still very obvious.
Soon my time to go into the garden had arrived and I made my way to the entrance which takes you through an arch and to your first view of the tower. I was instantly drawn to climb the steps to the top of the tower and take in the view of the garden from up high, and look also at the great views across the countryside on a day that allowed distant views.
Now you would think that at this time of year that a garden doesn’t have too much to see, but there were plenty of spring flowers and bulbs in full bloom. For me also, seeing the structure of the garden and how the roses have been pruned is fascinating. I love to see the tips of the new growth of the perennials with so much promise of what’s to come later in the year. It has to be said the gardens were looking immaculate with neatly cut stripy lawns and hardly a leaf out of place anywhere. It must take a staggering amount of work to get it looking like this and I’m sure a lot of it must be done each week on the days when the garden isn’t open. Even at the busiest times of the year it never opens on Wednesdays or Thursdays: something to remember if you plan a trip there.
 Snakeshead Fritillary
If you are interested, the vast majority of my pictures were taken using one of my favourite lenses: a Sigma 10-20mm. It seemed to be the best one to fit in as much detail as I could and I always like the sharpness of the lens too. I had taken my macro lens with me too and I found some beautiful spring bulbs nicely lit by some gentle sunlight which made good subjects. I’ll be sure to be returning in a few weeks and am looking forward to seeing it once more.
 Moat reflections  Late afternoon view from tower
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Those lambs are so adorable,it makes you want to pick them up and cuddle them doesn't it?
it looks a great place to visit,the flowers and reflections are beautiful.
I think we need to spend a month in Kent.
Love Sherran