Earth Mother News

Island Holiday

When one speaks of an island holiday, the general assumption is one in Hawaii or onboard a ship in the Caribbean.  I am, however, going to take you to an island in the English Channel. Tresco Island. 

Where else in the world is it possible to bring together garden plants from five different continents and all under the influence of a maritime climate?  South Africa, California, Australia, Chile and New Zealand. Madeira and even Brazil are just some of the countries represented in this wonderful garden.  The answer is at Tresco Abbey Garden on Tresco Island.

The trip to Tresco Island was just so exciting and included my first ever helicopter flight.  Our friendly little group of travelers left Falmouth bright and early to go about an hour to Penzance.   Ever hear of the pirates of Penzance?  Yes, the area is riddled with caves and tunnels of real pirates.  Penzance and Land's End are on the shipping lanes for the legal and illegal from days of yore.  The rocky coast was also known for ship wrecks and the brave men of the sea.  The locals made a livelihood of the things that floated about and ashore. 

Cornwall is truly rich in history, King Arthur and Camelot to name a few; Vikings, Romans, Spanish, and naval battles.  Everyone was interested in the tin mines.  Land's End is just that, where the land ends.  The most southern point in all of England.  It was from Cornwall that my great, great, grandfather Treweek left to travel to Mineral Point, Wisconsin.  The Cornish miners came to southwest Wisconsin to mine lead and zinc.

One of the things I looked for while in Cornwall was the Treweek name.  I had a chat with a young lady at the desk at the hotel in Falmouth and we looked in the local telephone directory and found Treweeks.  I didn't have time to track these folks down; traveling with a tour means you go when the bus is ready.

Back to the heli port.  You can take a ferry which takes about 2 hours or so, or go by helicopter which takes about twenty minutes.  As you can see, what a beautiful sunny day in May we had to visit the garden. When we got to the island it was short hike to the garden, with a map in hand, I headed first to the shipwreck museum.  The pieces in the photo were mast heads from ships that ended their days on the rocks near the island. Divers keep bringing things in all the time and all the records of the wrecks are there to see.  Chilling when you think about it.  Davy Jones' locker, yo ho and a bottle of rum.  Aye, aye matey.  I don t think I can find the words to describe the abbey garden.  I'll let the pictures be my thousand words.  Enjoy.

The warm weather affected my holiday spirit.  With the gardening all done, I relied on my old friend MS to inspire me, the December issue of Martha Stewart Living had a spread of green and silver...aha.  Doable by this Aarde Moeder...backyard full of evergreens and silver spray paint.

Let the fun begin, I enjoy this so much.  I am going to wish you, the best and most enjoyable family table.  Be mindful of the treasures of family and the value of truth.

County B
Platteville, WI. 53818