The Dunheved Flower and Garden Group for May took to the road for a coach trip stopping first at Par Garden Centre.

They had time to look at lots of garden plants and items, with a peep into the water tanks with lots of different fish and creatures weaving in and out of underwater plants and tropical coral. After covering the coach under locker with pots and plants purchased they made their way to The Carclaze Inn Restaurant for a delicious tasty lunch for 30. With excellent service they were soon on their way again to Trewithen Gardens near Probus home of the Hawkins family since 1715.

The afternoon sunshine provided the group with time to admire the huge camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas scattered amongst the woodland pathways and rare trees, twisted curly branches on some and tall pines going straight up.

The cockpit has a specimen of climbing hydrangea and a fern collection from Tasmania, some of the first plants of their kind to have been brought to Cornwall. Originally used as ballast in clipper ships, they were often thrown into the harbour until it was discovered that they could enhance the sub tropical feel of the county’s gardens.

A chance to use the “Camera Obscura” a device that projects an image from outside, in this case the surrounding garden, onto a table inside a darkened room. Once inside the Obscura people can adjust the view by slowly raising or lowering the table whilst revolving the mirror and prisms above with a handle and as your eyes adjust to the darkness the more details and colour can be seen, quite magical even in our instant digital age.

With time for afternoon tea on the lawn, a last glimpse of the two tiny little red squirrels in there special pen enclosure, to keep them safe from being infected by their grey counterparts. With a short stroll to board the coach, a last view of the house exterior and Fountain Lake we made for home.

Chairman John Ellacott thanked Eric, Tilley’s Coach and for members support on another splendid day out.