Chenies Manor, Buckinghamshire

[Eric Hardy]

The semi-fortified brick Manor House was built by Sir John Cheyne about 1460. Sir John Russell (later the 1st Earl of Bedford) made additions in 1526, and it was his principal residence.
Opening times are 4th April to 25th October: Wednesday & Thursday 2.00pm - 5.00pm and all Bank Holiday Mondays 2.00pm - 5.00pm.

An excellent time to visit is when the tulips are out. They dig them up each years and replant with new bulbs for the next season. The old bulbs are dried off in the barn, and I was told by one of the attendants that they are free to take home any of the oldbulbs they fancy.

The first four shots were taken late June: -









These were taken on the 24th April last year: -





















I hope you enjoy these. I will try to find some more gardens.

Eric H

[ideasguy]

Another wonderful set of photos of House and Gardens, Eric!

Youve shown a photo of one of the plants I mentioned in your Hellebore topic earlier today
I think that is Helleborus argutifolius below the tulips.

Do they make houses like that today, anywhere?

[Eric Hardy]

Thank you George.

In answer to your last question, I think not !!

Eric H

[ideasguy]

Isnt that a shame. What do you think of modern buildings?

[Eric Hardy]

In spite the adverse publicity I thought the Millennium Dome was a marvellous structure before it got cluttered inside. There was particularly nice detailing such as the cable anchors





I think Richard Rogers and Norman Foster produce some quite interesting buildings. I like high-tech tensile structures such as the dropping off point at Terminal 5



Of course there is a lot of exciting stuff abroad by people like Santiago Calatrava. What I can't stand is the gimmicky second rate "New Shopping Centre" style or the run of the mill spec built houses these days, although I must say the quality of houses has generally improved over the past 10 years.

There 

Eric H

[Eric Hardy]

I metioned that we went to Chenies again yesterday to show some friends the tulips. We were afraid that they might be going over. One or two were past their best but there was still a great display. Here are just a few shots to give you the flavour. Some of the tulips this year looked quite exotic.



















and on a purer note







Eric H

[ideasguy]

Not seeing the photos Eric. Says This photo is currently unavailable.

[NightHawk]

Same here.

Laurie.

[Eric Hardy]

Just reposted them George, can you see them now? I couldnt see them either.

I hadn't seen your post Laurie, you may be seeing different ones now. I am not sure I reposted the same ones.

Eric H

[NightHawk]

I can see them now Eric.

Just after George's post about it I looked and could see all the flowers.  There was a deep purple Tulip just above the white one that's there at the moment.  When I submitted my post all the flowers showed up as 'photos currently unavailable', so I edited my post and changed my comment to not being able to see them.

I noticed that the deep purple Tulip is not there now.  It looked like Queen of the Night, if so we have a wonderful display of them in our rear garden.  So beautiful.  (I posted a couple of photos of them here)

Laurie.

[Eric Hardy]

I noticed that the deep purple Tulip is not there now.  It looked like Queen of the Night, if so we have a wonderful display of them in our rear garden.  So beautiful.

I don't seem to have posted any purple ones the second time. Was it this one?


or perhaps this one


or this?


Here are some more of a more purple hue







Really I took so many shots I am beginning to forget what I have posted

Eric H

[ideasguy]

See them now - WOW!
Your photos are truly exceptional, Eric.
Its very difficul to capture white flowers correctly without overexposure.
You make it look easy.

Those tulips are beautiful. What a fantastic job the hybridisers have done to introduce such incredible flowers.
It must have been a pleasure to see those flowers at Chenies Manor.

[NightHawk]

I'm not exactly certain which one it was Eric.  It could have been the first one. 

All of the photos are excellent anyway - very well done. 

Laurie.

[Eric Hardy]

Its very difficul to capture white flowers correctly without overexposure.

Thanks for the kind remarks George and Laurie.

George, I always use aperture priority to control the depth of field and under expose by at least 1/3 stop when photographing white flowers.

Eric H

[Lyn and Malcolm]

I don't like the multi colored fringed ones, much prefer the plain colours, even with fringes on.

This is not a complaint about your photography Eric, which is your usual high standard.

I think you will soon be in for one of Lauries Gold Stars, I don't think you have had one yet, have you?

Malcolm

[Eric Hardy]

I quite agree with you Malcolm. I felt a lot of them were quite over the top. I much preferred the purer ones which is why I put one or two white ones at the end. They were fascinating though and I took it more as a photographic challenge.

Eric H

[Eric Hardy]

I think you will soon be in for one of Lauries Gold Stars, I don't think you have had one yet, have you?

I don't think I know about those Malcom.

Eric H

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Perhaps Laurie will enlighten you. 

Malcolm

[NightHawk]

Eric H (and others), the Gold Star of Merit Award was a little scheme I started for a bit of fun really.

I designed a Gold Star graphic for just this purpose, as can be seen here - .

I thought it would be a nice idea to award our members a Gold Star for their outstanding contributions to the Forum.  This could take the form of tutorials they have offered for certain gardening techniques for other members to follow.  A prime example of this particular endeavour was by Eric (Palustris) for his very informative and detailed description of setting up an Alpine House - comprising of very detailed and easy-to-follow instructions accompanied by photographs for each stage of the process.

Another example is for gardening efforts that have far exceeded the normal everyday gardening we all do.  Lyn and Malcolm have been awarded a Gold Star for their exceptional gardens which they open to the public through the National Garden Scheme (NGS), and their extensive plant knowledge which is shared with our other members.

There are other reasons I will award a Gold Star, but these are two of the most outstanding ones.

Usually, I will decide to award a Gold Star, or a member can nominate someone else, for something exceptional they have done that benefits our Forum members.

I don't keep a record of who has been awarded these stars and there's not a competition for who has the most.

The hope is to inspire people to maybe post something a bit special that all our members can appreciate and benefit from.

Laurie.

[Eric Hardy]

Thank you Laurie. I will keep an eye open for them now.

Eric H

[ideasguy]

As for the tulips, I love them all. Its great to have such variation.
Ive a few of those unusual ones in my garden and a few of them have returned for a second year now. They get "favourable comments" from visitors!
Keep up this good work Eric. I love your postings with those spectacular photos and my work colleagues were very impressed with the photos and the plants.

Its lovely to look in each day and see something new like this. Thats the ultimate aim of the forum, and the more members who can share in this way, the merrier.

[NightHawk]

Okay Eric H, the lovely comments you've had so far regarding your efforts on the Forum, showcasing your excellent photography skills and sharing those plant photos with us, I have decided to acknowledge your achievements so far and hereby award you one of my prestigious Gold Stars - .

Keep up the good work, it's very much appreciated. 
 
Laurie.

[Eric Hardy]

Oh Laurie, I am quite overcome
Thank you very much
Eric H

[ideasguy]

Yip, that man deserved that Gold Star 

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Yip, that man deserved that Gold Star 

Here Here.


Malcolm