"We had a lovely day sketching in the grounds of Powderham Castle on Tuesday and would like to send particular thanks to the two young girls we met in the walled garden who chatted to us. One told us she was from California and the other from Devon and that they both attend the local school. They suggested that we would enjoy taking our art things to the American Garden, and they described very clearly what a magical place it is, and how not very many visitors go there.
Well, they were right. We ate our picnic there and then started sketching. Honestly, we only had bottled water with us, nothing stronger, but I started to notice that some of the trees had fairly doors in them. I started to sketch one. I'm attaching the result, and I am sure I can see signs of fairies in it, rather than the shadows, blue butterflies and golden dried grass I thought I was painting!!
Then I started to paint the view across the long pond. The water was covered with duck weed, but in my painting the weed disappeared and the water became clear. When it was time to go home, I felt so much happier and more relaxed than I had at the start of the day - I felt refreshed and energised. My husband was no longer grumpy (you know what husbands are like!!!) and had also had a very productive day of sketching Yes, the American Garden really is a place of magic, those little girls were absolutely right. I hear it is possible to get married there - oh how I wish I were young again and get married all over again!!
I wondered if you could pass my thanks on to those two girls please, and thank them for their charming conversation and for being such excellent guides. We were very grateful indeed. I wonder if they know who lives behind those little doors?"
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