It seems far too long since I last wrote a blog, and its hard to believe we’ve been back in Tarras for three months – almost the same amount of time we spent travelling overseas during winter.
On our return, the winter garden was still fast asleep, which gave us the perfect opportunity to cut back the perennial borders before anything began to shoot again. But for the past 4 weeks everything has as changed quickly and still bursting.
For us, travel never seems to be more than a few weeks away. First, it was Dunedin to tend to our little house in Kew and ctach up with friends, then Christchurch to attend the funeral of our dear friend Bruce Hore and spend some time helping Sally. Immediately afterwards, we were off to Melbourne for four days to explore our Australian family's wonderful new home. As we don't live close to any of our grandchildren, the opportunity to collect Mia from school and Charlie from daycare, enjoy family dinners and attend their Taekwondo, swimming and gymnastics classes was an absolute treat. At long last Charlie got his Crossstitch - like all the other grandchildren when they were born - only his Formula one cars took some time. Returning to the Rhodo gardens in the Dandenongs (where we go with tour groups) when everything was in flower made for a perfect picnic . However, traffic, roadworks and parking made it rather sressful at times. A visit to Preston Market is always a must. With its fabulous selection of Mediterranean foods, you could almost imagine yourself somewhere in Europe. And, of course, we returned with our bags full of Aldi cheese – an essential part of any trip to Australia! Don't forget you can do this when you visit, too.
However, I'm now spending long hours planning and putting together my tours for 2027. My tours are individually organised and planned; I do use local guides where appropriate and endeavour to provide a tour full of special experiences that provide lifetime memories.
Despite not having advertised, word of mouth has certainly done its job, and the response has been amazing. I'm delighted with the interest and excited about what lies ahead.
My 2027 Tours
Victoria | 6–18 April
One of my all-time favourite tours, and for the third time we'll be travelling 180 degrees around Melbourne.
This tour incorporates some truly extraordinary garden visits, including Ralph Bristow's incredible Barwithian Garden, a long lunch with the fabulous Annie Smithers, and a visit to Susan's garden at Babbington Park.
There will also be some very special dining experiences, including Alla Wolf-Tasker's famous Lake House in Daylesford and Wickens at Dunkeld.
As always, it's about much more than gardens. It's the people, the food, the places and those unexpected experiences that make each day so memorable. And there's something wonderfully easy and enjoyable about travelling somewhere that feels both familiar and full of surprises.
Sicily & Sardinia | 12–30 June
After 15 years, I'm returning to Sicily and Sardinia, and I simply can't wait!
Once again, I've booked a villa, and we'll begin in the luxurious Villa Naxos, overlooking the Ionian Sea, where we'll spend seven nights. We'll be thoroughly spoilt by Alessandro's cooking while taking day trips up and down the coast, discovering all that this beautiful part of Sicily has to offer.
Then it's on to mighty Palermo before heading across to Sardinia for a further seven days.
My theme, as always, is gardens, food, wine and the history of the regions we visit. The gardens we explore, the places we dine and the experiences we enjoy will all reflect the character and spirit of each destination, even a day sailing in the Maddalena islands in the North of Sardinia
France | 8–26 July
Finally, I'm putting together a tour that takes us into the wonderful regions of Gascony and the Languedoc. We begin in the beautiful city of Bordeaux, and I've just discovered that the World Tall Ships Regatta will be taking place while we're there – what an unexpected thrill!
I've spent considerable time researching this tour and have found some exceptional places to stay: an old monastery in Saint-Mont, a renovated wine cellar in Ballesta, a sprawling hotel woven through a village in Assignan, and a fisherman's hotel near the Camargue on the southern coast.
This is going to be a wonderfully varied and very personal tour, with each destination offering something quite different.
And that's where I'll leave you for now. There's plenty more to share as the planning unfolds, and I look forward to telling you more about these adventures in the months ahead!
If you would like an itinerary and costing for any of these tours, please get in touch. As I said, there has been incredible demand for. available places
But, for now, I need to get back out in the garden and help Philip plant the vegetables and my trays of seeded Zinnia’s, Cosmos and straw flowers need to get in the ground – along with a few more new dahlias!!. A passion for sure , but, just wish the trees would grow more quickly to create our original vision. I am always so envious when travelling around Europe to see the enormous, stunning old trees dominating landscapes as they have done for hundreds of years.
Sitting here in the country with our views and garden the behind is still rather surreal even after nearly 6 years. The wind is our weakest link and although shelter is precious its all a lesson in adpation and somehow I always have along list of things to do.
Remember get in touch and don’t miss out on a tour for 2027
XXX Judith