Lost Gardens of the World

 Best laid plans....I wanted to write about M.L. Stedman's long awaited book A Far Flung Life but life got in my way.   It's a five star for me and I will write about it soon.

Between some rather serious allergies this Spring and a nasty visit to the dermatologist (resulting in stitches on my face ) I have been unable to motivate myself to write much.  Reading is a solace for me so I have been chilling out with books. Best medicine I can think of right now.

Here is one for the 2026 nonfiction reading challenge.

Lost Gardens of the World is a cool little coffee table book you can flip through and then get lost down the rabbit hole looking up the actual locale.  There are lovely illustrations of the gardens as they once were (or as perceived) as well as historical information telling us about the families who owned the land.

Some of my favorites were in England. The garden in Pentewan England was one that had me looking up the Tremayne family and how this beautiful estate and gardens were abandoned. Eighty years after the first World War it is slowly being restored. Most of the young men went off to war and never returned, taking the heart out of those left behind.

In 1991 a team of volunteers starting cutting through the tangled overgrown area, finding remains of water features, paths and a lake. 

Another very interesting story is about Cougar Annie's Garden on Vancouver Island.  Well, it was of interest to me. Annie was quite a character and what a determined woman. She cleared land herself and built up an orchard business, started the Boat Basin Post Office and shot cougars, yes...real cougars.

This is a good armchair travel book with the featured neglected or abandoned gardens in Italy, The Netherlands, Canada, Morocco, Nepal and more.

Sharing with:

 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out for the 2026 Nonfiction Reading Challenge
Category: Lost and Found

Joy's Book Blog for British Isles Friday

A midmonth collection of randomness

 Well I don't have much to contribute to any bookish news but felt like posting anyway.  It's been one of those weeks.

Took a quick trip to the library and picked up the March edition of Book Page.  Found some good suggestions for upcoming publications and added those to Goodreads.

Currently reading M.L. Stedman's new book A Far-Flung Life.  It's been fifteen years since she broke my heart reading The Light Between the Oceans, keeping me up until midnight finishing that one.  Now I am totally absorbed with this new book. She can write tragedy like no one else I have ever read.  The weather cooperated so I could sit outside and read these past few days.

Went to the nursery and picked up some seeds to plant in a few weeks. The white alyssum is doing very well out front and spreading like wildfire.  So I want to try this multi color pack and see what that looks like blended in.  Also have columbine and some Japanese eggplant, for out back.

Last and almost least...because the coffee wasn't remarkable but the beignets were...we tried a new-to-us place for a treat.

Hot and so good.

That's it.  All I have going.  Just in a funk mood but wanted to connect.  Wishing anyone who reads this a happy fun week filled with books and joy.