The caveman in me
I love nature and gardening and for those who read my posts regularly you're probably getting sick of me saying it...or my posts in general, I suppose. I do though, despite people (here on Hive and in my real life) not expecting it from someone like me...whatever, "someone like me," means.
I feel, engaged and energised when I'm with nature, in myself and with the planet around me, it feels like I'm exactly where I was made to be...maybe that's the caveman in me. That's right, caveman. I'd be happy to be transported back ten thousand years and live in a cave; I'm not even joking. Alas, I live in a house, in modern society. Fortunately though, I live in a location that gives plenty of opportunity to get amongst natural places and I take full advantage.
Today, I'm going to another open garden, this one closer to the city. I'll have some photos from today (hopefully) and I may share them in the future, but for now I wanted to share a few from an open garden I went to a couple weeks ago, as I said I would. You can see the first post here.
This garden is privately owned and sits amongst rolling hills over one hundred kilometres from the capital city of the State of South Australia; It's a beautiful drive and well worth the effort. The owner is descended from people who came to the area in 1845 and settled as farmers and it was in the 1800's that the first bulbs were planted: Sparaxis, Oxalis, Starfish Iris and Peruvian Scillas.
The current owner is the daughter of the woman who began to develop the garden more avidly and with purpose back in the 1950's. The mother had had a terrible accident and was potentially going to be left paraplegic; during her convalescence her father bought her twenty King Alfred daffodils which she planted and which multiplied of course. There are now many thousands and fifty different types of daffodils plus thousands of other flowers besides.
Time passed, as did the responsibility for the property and garden, and the daughter took over; the current owner. She's getting on in age herself now and struggling to do all the work required to maintain the garden and due to its relative remoteness (there's nothing close by) volunteers to assist are few and sporadic. This means the private garden, usually open to the public on one weekend a year, will never open again; the day I was there a couple weeks ago was the last time.
I found, wandering around the other day, that I felt a little sad the garden is beyond the scope of the current owner to handle and that it'll probably fall into disarray in the years to come. The bulbs will keep popping up each year though, for many years to come, and that made me happy to know.
I know someone who would have loved to have been there with me there, she would have moved heaven and earth to be there if it was a real possibility but it wasn't to be so this post shows the few photos I wanted to add to that already shown in the previous post as linked above and it'll have to suffice; it's not as good as being there in person, but it's something at least.
It's the caveman in me that loves places like this, natural places and away from people...it's where I feel home, comfortable and energised simultaneously.
What are your experiences with nature and how does it make you feel? I know people who feel deep affinity with it, like myself, and others who prefer the concrete jungle that modern cities can be...which are you? Feel free to share your thoughts, stories of natural places you've been and share a photo if you'd like to. Comment below if you'd like to.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Every image in this post is my own.
My Samsung S22 Ultra mobile phone was used to capture these images.
A very well done photos, friend full of beauty, the amount of flowers and their colors makes it look like something magical. It transmits peace and warmth
It was a very peaceful and enjoyable place to visit, and the flowers were kind of cool too.
I love the photos you present today. The light in them is amazing. And a lot has to do with that clear blue sky that accompanied you that day.
The connection with nature is something many of us feel. One more demonstration that we belong to each other. In particular, I am impressed that sometimes we find in these places a lot of life and energy that exists before ourselves. It fills one with reverence and awe.
I believe in enjoying the best of both worlds. When we surround ourselves with concrete, try to be productive and happy there. And always look for ways to get out of those environments and into those that resemble the ones you show us today. A few days ago I had a very big anxiety, and I was alone at home. I took my camera and my gps on my phone and went out to look for a river that I had not visited since I was a teenager. Being alone there was something I still remember fondly. Maybe in the next few days I'll do a post with those photos.
The photo of the water and fish very close to the surface is one of the best.
Greetings to both: @galenkp 2023 and @galenkp caveman.
There's a lot of value to be found in natural places away from the noise and fast-paced lifestyle found in the cities. I find I operate better if I leave the city behind and find some peace amongst nature, it grounds me and I'm more productive when I get back to the city.
Thanks for taking a look at my post, I appreciate it.
I'm still reminded of the early days of the panpanic when I guess a bunch of people suddenly took up gardening for lack of something better to do, and J and the kids were out doing stuff. Middle child had chosen some flowers and looked like she was really getting into it but after we'd planted everything out she turned to me and incredulously exclaimed "People do this for FUN?!" XD
I don't know that you'd actually enjoy life as a caveman, it seems like they had it pretty tough. But I guess if you were a caveman and had no knowledge of times now you wouldn't know any different.
Still think you need to move to one of these properties further out and make yourself one of these gardens :)
I looked at some properties today actually, a move is probably not on the cards just yet, but some changes are I think, or so my head and heart are telling me. I'd change into a caveman if I could, but I'd want the rest of society to disappear also, and that seems unrealistic. Lol.
An AI dropdown vappeared so I've been playing around with the creative prompts and the stories it spins from this comment/thread are hilarious XD
Yeah, AI is the answer to everything it seems; not something I'm interested in from a writing perspective, I prefer reality.
Such a beautiful place. One can only try to imagine the amount of work it took through the years to develop it so grandly. I suppose nearly everything does have it's season, but like you said, it's a bit sad to imagine it slowly run down.
It always makes me wonder when I see a very grand old house that has deteriorated or the dregs of a long ago garden how they came to be in their present state. I think about the lives of the people that lived there when it was in it's prime and I wonder how anyone ever let it go down. I know things happen and sooner or later another generation either has no interest or no money to keep it up.
To bad there is no help or society type thing that could take it over and keep it up. I'm sure though, that it has given much joy during it's lifetime to those that loved it enough to create it.
It would be a lot of work, and the entire garden meanders around the house itself, on sloping ground, so for older people it would be a little harder to move about and cart things around. I understand why she cannot maintain it.
The remoteness of the property makes it difficult for volunteers to come as regularly as needed, the cost of fuel would be preventative to most, especially considering most volunteers would be older people, retirees. Sad for sure. I'd do it if I was able, stay locally, do a couple days a week, but I don't have that ability right now.
Oh... I do understand how things are not as doable with aging. I only have flowers around the deck and in some pots, the smallest amount ever for me and it still takes a lot to me to keep them nice. Some time back, it would have seemed like nothing.
Like you said though, the bulbs will still come up and the the trees will still blossom for years to come.
U and your spectacular pics 🤩📸
Lol...I try my best, sometimes I get lucky and one or two turn out ok.
Beautiful shots! Much better than my day! I spent the day watching young kids play football. I mean I love my nephews, but it was just a very long day! This looks much more relaxing!
Oh yeah, more relaxing than watching kids play sport...it was a nice day all round.
Also, I hope the kids won the game.
They didn't, but they had a good time, so it was nice.
That's the main thing I guess, and losing sporting games creates character.
I also have a caveman soul 😁, I was raised by a man who taught me climbing, swimming and freediving, forest survival, among other caveman things minus hunting and fishing. I preferred to become a vegetarian 😉.
My last post is about the western Cuban mountains, there I met a real caveman A man who went to live in a real cave.
https://ecency.com/hive-122727/@saraleo/my-favorite-mountains?referral=saraleo
My Caribbean greetings!!!
We're all cave people...or should be. 😊
You've done some cool things and I bet you feel good to have had the experience,more confident. Well done.
I'll have a look at the post soon, when I have a little free time.
Cavemen with gardens!!!😁 that would be even cooler!!! This man I met is very peaceful, his teeth are missing but he doesn't care, he smiles a lot and is happy in his cave surrounded by tropical forests.
There's a lot to be said about the benefits of living a simple life, it's something I try hard to have...I mean I actively work towards removing complications in life and to surround myself with more simple pursuits.
Very good !!! my admiration 🙏
Hi caveman, it's ok, go to the cave to live but take a camera with you so we can see these beauties.
I have a question... what is she doing with that garden? Does she market the flowers? Does she charge anything to go in there?
She lives at the property and the garden is private, not a commercial venture. She sells some though, locally, now and then. Mostly the garden is for pleasure...I respect that greatly.
I respect that too. But as you say she's getting old and it's a lot of work.... Perhaps she should devote part of the garden to marketing it and the other part to this beautiful endeavour of offering it for free. She could even think about turning it into a classroom for children, so that they can learn about botany and flowers in general.
It is in the middle of nowhere and there's no one around, which makes it difficult to do much. She is also old, and is not at all interested in creating a commercial venture. I think a lot of the issues is that she can't maintain it physically and has other more important issues to face.
A great thing to find what you really prefer, this such a wonderful escape. By the way, What’s a nice shots? Simply the most beautiful I can say!
Thanks for your comments, it was a great place to visit and I'm glad I had the chance.
So, imagine you wearing leaves to cover your body. Lol. That's what cavemen always did.(Kidding)
I must say the sixth picture has all my heart 💓.
Regards
It's cool right? It was a really great place to visit and I'm glad to have had the chance.
Yup really cool.
I will visit Australia someday. Will be needing your guide to all such beautiful gardens.
It's a big place, so make sure you have a lot of time to spare.
Yeah sure. I will be there with Full preparation. Won't be a burden.
It's amazingly beautiful! What season do you have at the moment? I guess it's spring? I ask because the flowers on the pics bloom in spring in my country) It's so amazing! We are getting ready for the winter, and you are - for summer
It's Spring here, and welcome too after a cool and wet winter. It'll be very hot here soon, and I get grumpier, but I've been here all my life and know how to work around it...the heat and grumpiness. Lol.
I don't hesitate for a second to tell you that I love nature, I'm from the first group, far from people.... you will say... but what a hermit, I don't like people but not so many people hahahaha
This post is just what I've been waiting for days! What a beauty, what a beauty, I love this!
Those colours in contrast with the blue of the sky, I can smell the flowers and the softness of their petals feel it in my hands. I already know ... I'm not there, but my imagination is.
The last two pictures are breathtakingly beautiful, the path and the water. The others too but I imagined myself sitting there contemplating.
Thank you!
It's a great pity that the garden is closing and there are no volunteers, my mother went crazy when she saw your photos .... I always show them to her, she loves gardens and flowers!
Well now I want the other garden... ahh no, I have to wait.... well.🤣
I know you're a nature lover and it's cool, I think people that like/love nature and second time in it are happier.
The garden today was not as good as I had hoped it would be...the one from a couple weeks ago (in this post) was way better. I'll see what photos I have and will do a post at some stage though.
I'm heading to a Place called, Port Elliot, on the Fleurieu Peninsula this coming Sunday, for another open garden; it's a bit of a drive but it's a nice spot, a small coastal town, so if the garden is shit I'll still find something to do, a walk or some such thing, and a picnic for lunch. There's a couple more coming up too.
How beautiful, I already want to see the coastal town, I love the boats, the sea, the sand, the silence and the sound of the waves.
A few days ago I went to a beach far away .... I took some great pictures of the foam, the small waves, the sand, how much beauty there is in nature.
And to be sorry that some people don't see it.... they miss so much!
If you go to a coastal town, I'll order you pictures of the water! 🤣
If I get some photos I'll do a post and if not, then not.
I'll wait for them... and if not, that's fine.
Good night, see you tomorrow! Have a nice Monday!
Oh I was waiting for this, and it was worth it. The white flower with pink center is really pretty. The other flowers are really beautiful as well. I like the path in the middle where there are flowers on both sides. Even the tree looks very aesthetically pleasing. I wonder if they trimmed it.
My favorite though is the last photo. It's like straight out of a fantasy. The way you worked with the reflection, the lighting, and the fish makes the photo look magical. Thank you for sharing this, and it's a shame we won't be seeing it in the future.
It's difficult to show the garden as it appears in real life, for me it is anyway, I am not a good photographer. It would look amazing from a drone too, but I don't have one.
Anyway, you get the idea of it and that's something at least I guess. I'm glad you like it.
I am one person who won't get tired of seeing your amazing posts about gardens. 😊 I love to see them and I always expect nothing short of amazing from your shots; colourful as always. 😊 I love nature photography. I love your posts. I am your fan. 🤗
Thanks for your comment, I like nature too, clearly. Hopefully you get to see places like this in real life from time to time.
What a beautiful place! And what a special story. Although it is sad to think that, while the daughter took over, who will continue the legacy? It's hard to think the actual place is more beautiful than these pictures. They're something else. My favourite is the last one. It's funny. I have a friend who lives in town who says I live in a cave. I love my country home and have very little desire to go into the city. So I agree with you about nature. Right now I'm pushing my limping to the max just so that I can get out there.
I'm not exactly sure, but the daughter (current owner) is in her late 60's and didn't look to be the most nimble in movement so I understand her predicament. It's sad though, so many years of effort will decline into well, a more natural environment I guess. The flowers will still grow, but those requiring extra care may perish.
It's been a long time since you've walked "properly" and I imagine you're getting quite sick of it, but I applaud you for getting out there and into nature as I think it makes a person feel better, that's how I feel anyway.
Rather sick of the limping yes. And, would you believe it, but my horse is also limping. What a pair we make. I haven't ridden her in 4 months but at this rate we'll both be stabled for a while
The limping leading the limping? Oh what next!
I hope you're feeling ok, finding something to smile at and all.
It is beautiful and a spectacular view for a Sunday. Thank you for sharing these images.
It was a great place to visit for sure, thanks for taking a look and commenting.
I believe that I will find myself lounging really comfortably in this space as well.
Love the last photo with the reflections on the water and still seeing the fishes in the water! 😍
I feel that it's natural for a human to have an affinity with mature and to feel intrinsically better when amongst it. Humans have made them selves accustomed to cities through necessity, but I think being at peace in nature comes naturally, it's innate.
Yeah being one with the nature feels the best!
Even though I like the convenience or the comfort a city life could bring, taking a break from the city life and basking in the nature from time to time make me feel more alive than ever! 😊
I find no comfort in city life. Sure, I'm comfortable in my home, but in the city? Nope.
Well I guess I agree with your statement but..
My Home = City Life, since Singapore is an Urban City and there is just no escaping it while I'm staying here 😅
You've got some good spots, natural places, when I'm there I spend a lot of time there...it mitigates the effect the city has on me.
Yeah that is why I often retreat back to the comfort of my own home or spend a day out in the nature reserves / beach. Though they get a little too populated for my liking these days especially after the relaxation of the pandemic regulations 😅
I think it's important to get out there, to find places that suit you and to spend time with nature. It provides balance.
Yeah I do that pretty often, much needed for the hectic life here in Singapore 😅