There’s always something new and exciting to see or feel at the coast which is why it’s often the sea that draws me if I need re-charging, but Monday was particularly special.  Not quite as dense as a sea-haar, a layer of low mist created an indistinct band that blurred a deep swathe of the vista merging the water and the sky.

Above the mist, the sky was clear, a deep azure blue with emerging stars and a crescent moon.  Below, the ripples of the waves gave a wonderful contrast to the stillness of the mist, ever more beautiful as it coloured with the setting sun.

I feel incredibly lucky to live so close to such an inspiring coastline (good fish and chips too!…)

I pass this farmhouse (below) every morning when taking my daughter to school, and love the sweep of the hedge line and trees above the house and the way they almost seem to draw the curves of the land.  Sometimes, like today, you can see the lines of the old field boundaries picked out by the low light; but it’s always different, and noticing this difference each day gives me a good kick start of inspiration!

I’ve come to realise over the years just how important an understanding, and perhaps even more important, an appreciation, of natural light is when designing gardens.  There’s been a lot of talk recently about using artificial light in gardens, and while I think this can add greatly to our enjoyment of a garden, I think we should first look at manipulating the natural light.  The light this morning was really soft and blue, but just look how the low level of the light picks out the tractor tyre ruts and really hightlights that gorgeous curve and draws you in – what if that were the sweep of your drive – how good would that make you feel?  (not the mud and puddle, obviously! just the lovely curves and light!)

I’ve just heard about (and ordered) a book exploring the effects of natural light in contemporary architecture, called ‘The Architecture of Natural Light’ by Henry Plummer, which Amazon describes as being “for all those seeking or interested in creating space that transcends the physical” – and what is that if not a garden?