My wife and I started gardening in Fukuoka (Japan) in 2003. There was nothing but muddy clayey sloping land. At the beginning we made several structure such as steps and paths, and planted turf, fruit trees, roses, herbs etc.
In 2010, we visited several famous English gardens, including Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Mottisfont Abbey Garden and Hidcote Manor Garden. We were shocked by the glory of those gardens. Since then, we have been trying to make small but glorious gardens by ourselves.
At the entrance of the garden, we have grown burdock in a felt container.
It had started to flower in late June.
My wife planted a burdock root which she bought at a grocery.
The flowers are pink and look a bit like thistle,
and its unique shape is stunning.
We found an explanation board in the wood beside a big tree.
It said;
'During the First World War, Norton Hall near Mickleton was opened as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Among the patients were some Belgian men. One of them, Victor Joseph De Martelaere, died and was buried at the Church of St Lawrence in Mickleton where his grave can still be seen. Another of the Belgian men, it is assumed, made his way into Baker's Hill Wood and carved this outline of a Belgian soldier. Although the inscription on his kepi is largely indistinguishable, it looks as if there are two initials followed by his name and the date 1917. '
I found the maps of walking routes in Cotswolds on the internet,
and they were very useful for us to walk around.
(http://www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/walking/downloadable-walks/jubilee-walks/)
After visiting both gardens, we returned to Mickleton.
On the way, sole rubber of my shoe unfortunately came off, however, I temporarily fixed it with a camera strap and walked with little difficulty.
The landlord of a B&B kindly fixed it with adhesive.
