Garden delight!

From early morning it was blue sky today. So instead of doing all the mundane housework, ( I'll catch up tomorrow, honest!) we went the short trip to Calke Abbey. The gardens always look different no matter when you go, so this is how it looked today.....

.....the deer were taking it easy under the trees, but in the background you can just make out Foremark reservoir, see how low the water level is?
These deer have such good hearing, I was being so quiet, but he still heard my camera.....

...... Our sweet peas are just beginning to flower, but look at this sheltered border.....

....they are beautiful, and the scent is divine.....

....We weren't able to visit the physic garden today as when we arrived it had just been closed to the public due to swarms of bees. Apparently they had two swarms which were acting quite frenzied. One of the gardeners told us that they had "captured" two swarms and closed the hives, and the closure of the physic garden was because of any frenzied bees.
I know nothing of bee keeping, but it all seemed in hand. So we shall go back in a couple of weeks' time. That's the beauty of living so close!
Anyway, this is how the border in the formal garden looks today...

....everything looks glorious, the roses smelt gorgeous, there were so many. It's a good year for roses this year!
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....the main beds in the centre have been planted with dahlias, they should be stunning when in bloom. You can just make out the avaiaries in the background. They are now clear of all the birds and will not be used as aviaries in the near future. I wonder what happened to the silver pheasant who used to reside there? I shall have to ask next time we go.
The " plant theatre is filled with geraniums, ( pelargoniums)....

.... so many lovely colours.....

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... walking back these caught my eye.....

....nature offers us so much.