Flower Boat Planting

highton-ridley, on December 4, 2007, said:

This planting of busy lizzies, an old rowing boat and palm trees was a great feature. The garden is supposed to look like a tropical beach scene.

Congrats to Plymouth Council and their gardeners for a great piece of work :)

Ian Stehbens, on December 11, 2007, said:

Of the Plymouth additions to your folio, I like this best, for the same reasons as you. I am impressed by the garden concept and design, and its genuine connection through the port's history to tropical locations. The planting of the busy lizzies is special. I hope that Google Earth select it. Ian

highton-ridley, on December 11, 2007, said:

Hi Ian, thanks for your feedback - I wish there was some way to let the gardeners know how much their work is appreciated...

Ian Stehbens, on December 31, 2007, said:

Happy New Year, highton-ridley and may 2008 be a fruitful year for you. (And I am glad that GE did select this image.) I trust the world around you proves to be photogenic again this year. Ian

highton-ridley, on January 1, 2008, said:

..And a Happy New Year to you Ian. Did you do any first footing?

I emailed the url to Plymouth City Council's Gardening Dept. a couple of weeks ago and the hits went up by and the hits went up by ten or so just after - so I guess they did see it :)

Ian Stehbens, on January 1, 2008, said:

Thankyou highton-ridley for your thoughtful affirmation of Plymouth City Council's gardeners. Two of my wife's ancestors, Robert Forrester and Phillip Devine(aka Tennant) were provided with free passage to New South Wales from Plymouth in 1787-88 and this month Australia (January 26th) will celebrate the 220th anniversary of their arrival together with all the other First Fleet convicts. In Australia, to have a First Fleet convict in your ancestry warrants pride.

highton-ridley, on January 2, 2008, said:

Hey Ian - I guess they weren't gardeners then? ;-). There is a plaque on Plymouth's Barbican commemorating the sailing of the ships they were on...

I keep another web site - Mayflower Steps - about halfway down on the home page you will see it (and others about famous voyages that set off from Plymouth). Hope you enjoy :)

Ian Stehbens, on January 4, 2008, said:

Both of Margaret's First Fleet ancestors evidently had some rural origin or connection and that is most likely one of the reasons they were "selected" for the First Fleet. In fact they were both also sent to Norfolk Island, Robert Forrester on the first boat sent to establish Norfolk Island as an agricultural settlement, and Phillip Devine on the next vessels that were sent. Both of them were given land to cultivate, and both later cultivated land in NSW. So perhaps we could say they were gardeners who had been sent from London via Plymouth to NSW!

Another of Margaret's ancestors came to NSW, not from Plymouth but out of Waterford,and he was a gardener. In fact he was a "gardener and nurseryman from Killadoon", which turned out to be a estate near Cellbridge and its walled garden and nurserybeds etc were still in tact when we rediscobvered the place in 2005. The maps of the gardens and the estate from 1790s and 1840s were there as well. What a fantastic discovery that was for us, especially for Margaret. I have had a look at the Mayflower Steps site. Thanks for the link to it.

Ian

highton-ridley, on January 4, 2008, said:

A very interesting glimpse into your family's history, thanks Ian :)

Brumm2009, 6 hours ago, said:

Hello,

This is a very interesting shot.
The colours are beautiful and the
view is very good.

Best greetings from Germany, Brumm

highton-ridley, 6 hours ago, said:

Thankns Brumm I'm glad you like it :)