If you happen to be visiting Chelsea
Welcome to my garden: Diarmuid Gavin with his tower. The tower boasts a slide running from the fifth floor to the ground, giant swinging chairs, waterfalls, 30ft tall bamboo, a wrought-iron staircase, and birch trees.
Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone illustration for The Magic Faraway Tree
Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree
The Magic faraway tree featured in two previous posts Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree found and an Update on The Magic Faraway Tree.
Wow, a Faraway Tree! I don't know if I'll be visiting Chelsea this year, but I won't miss this if I do. I had the greatest and fondest memories of the Enchanted Woods. Thanks for sharing this, Barbara!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to swing a research trip to London this year and would love to see this tree. What fun!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteHe hasn't finished again, has he?, not enough of the 'hanging' elements in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteDear Diarmuid - I love his whacky ideas. Last year's garden in the sky has caused all sorts of controversy since they tried to install it in Cork. I did like the look of this one when I first saw it on TV yesterday - I didn't realise it was the Faraway Tree!! Have you seen the Gentleman's Lounge? (not sure what level it is on) - I thought it was marvellous and I really want one! I would adore a house in a tree like your illustration - I think that has always been my greatest secret desire!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I would love to visit this.
ReplyDeleteHello Claudine, That’s exactly how I felt when reading about it in the paper this morning. A faraway tree that’s easy to climb – perfect!
ReplyDeleteHi Alex, I agree – what fun. No plans to visit this year but after reading about this, I might have to change my mind!
ReplyDeleteI think so too! Thanks for leaving a comment, I always enjoy your visits.
ReplyDeleteWow, that would be incredible to see!!
ReplyDeleteWow, would love to see that
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, Diarmuid – has the most outrageous ideas – but that’s what I love about him - plus he’s pretty dishy! I’ve not seen it on TV yet, just in the newspapers where they describe it as being based on the faraway tree by Enid Blyton. I’m sure it will be on TV a lot over the next few days, so I will keep my eyes open for the gentleman’s lounge. I always wanted a tree house too – but I think Diarmuid’s example is rather large for most gardens! Just a few planks of wood and a rope ladder would do me!
ReplyDeleteI think it’s finished now, but not in the photograph in my post. The slide is amazing – I would love to have a go. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
ReplyDeleteSo would I Donna, but I don't think I'm going to make it this year.
ReplyDeleteHi Megan, yes I would love to see it. We went last year so decided to give it a miss this year now I wish I was going!
ReplyDeleteMe too - in fact the more I think about the more I want to go! It was so busy last year we decided to give it a miss this year - always the way. Thanks for calling in and leaving a comment, I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteMr. Gavin's tree-house sounds fun. I love looking at tree-houses on Pinterest for inspiration. There is a fine example in Disneyland called the Swiss Family Tree. I won't be visiting the area anytime soon but Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree sounds adorable.
ReplyDeleteDid you see Chris Beardshaw's fairy doors? They reminded me of a post you did when I first discovered your blog about a year ago. Just wonderful!
ReplyDelete(I was also tempted to mention the Swiss Family Robinson tree at Disneyland when I left my first comment. It was my favourite attraction in the whole place!)
Oh, I have seen that guy... on tv... I don't remember where... maybe one of the shows on the BBC American station. ?? I would love to visit the Chelsea garden show someday!
ReplyDeleteWow – that’s what I call a Tree-House, while looking for pictures I came across this description Disneyodendron semperflorens grandis (translated as large ever-blooming Disney tree) – I Love that.
ReplyDeleteHi Jess, if you like magical children’s stories you will enjoy the ‘faraway tree’ books – this description is from the Enid Blyton Society website - Jo, Bessie and Fanny come to live at the edge of the Enchanted Wood where the trees, "a darker green than usual," whisper their secrets. In the wood is the Faraway Tree — a huge tree inhabited by fairy-folk and laden with fruit of all kinds from acorns to lemons. Its topmost branches lead to ever-changing magical lands above the swirling clouds. Sounds perfect doesn’t it?
ReplyDeleteHello Sharon, well remembered! Yes, I did see the fairy door. It was created by the same person (Simon Sinkinson) who made the tiny doors in my post. We enjoyed Chelsea last year, but it was so busy and really difficult to see much so we decided not to go this year. I’m rather sad now and wish we made the effort, although you do see more on TV.
ReplyDeleteHe’s been in lots of things - gardener’s world, home front, gardens through time, come dine with me, etc... He was also in strictly come dancing a few years ago – so maybe you’ve seen him in one of those? He’s quite flamboyant (not sure that’s the word I want) and hard to miss! I hope you do get to Chelsea it’s definitely worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteThe tiny things were hiding next door but one to Diarmuid Gavins tower. Four little fairy doors in the Furzey garden . See how Simon Sinkinson built the lantern at tinydoors.com
ReplyDeleteAlong way from Larmer tree for little folk.
Barbara I will send you a photo of some magic in Chelsea
Hi Simon, the photos are magic indeed - thanks so much for sending them. I hope the little folk enjoyed their visit to Chelsea, they certainly had a beautiful place to stay. Thanks also for the link to tinydoors.com I've just enjoyed a visit.
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