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Accessed from the road, Sunnymead occupies an elevated position
thus affording total privacy from any passing traffic. A good proportion of the
frontage is bounded by conifer hedging planted at the top of a steep embankment.
Whilst providing excellent screening, hedge-cutting and maintenance of the steep
verge are not for the fainthearted as these tasks require delicate balancing
acts. The tarmac drive comes up from the road, through the wrought iron gates and bisects the front lawns before terminating at the triple garage. An enormous pear tree dominates the front garden although apple, cherry, oak and silver birch are also represented. The front garden looks its best in spring when the pear tree is in full bloom and daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells put in an appearance around the boundaries.
The rear garden is divided into distinct areas each requiring different degrees of maintenance. It should also be noted there are in excess of 200 trees, at various stages of development, growing in the back garden. The largest expanse of formal lawn is outside the lounge window. The only trees here are 2 very old apple trees of unknown variety. One has been invaded by parasitic mistletoe and no longer bears fruit whilst the other is a prolific red cooking apple producer. Behind the garage block and adjacent to the lawn is a
substantial paved area housing the rockery, barbeque, picnic table, chiminea,
swimming pool and summer house. This area is defined with picket fencing and
trellis and screened using plants such as buddlia, lavateria and climbing rose.
At night it is illuminated by spot, solar, rope and in-ground lighting. The pool
measures 30ft. x 15ft. and is of hopper design providing a depth spanning 4ft.
to 8ft. It holds 17,500 gallons of water which can be heated by the dedicated
L.P.G. boiler to extend the swimming season.
We prefer to raise the water temperature by using the solar pool covers. This costs nothing and we find the water can be maintained above 18 deg. C. from the beginning of May to the end of September. During the season the filter runs for 6 hours a day and chemicals are added fortnightly. Annual running costs are no more than the price of an annual Road Tax for a car. The summer house has power, light, TV, carpet and a sofa bed. In the warmer weather it is the sleeping quarters of choice for most visitors. The middle part of the garden comprises of a small orchard providing us with pears, plums, cherries and 2 varieties of eating apples. There are also numerous saplings planted by the previous owner some 20 years ago in orderly rows (for ease of mowing) . A circle of leylandii conifers were also planted to screen an old goose shed which is now our log store. Along with 2 crack willows nearby, these trees are currently the largest on the property.
The bottom part of the rear garden constitutes a copse. It shelves down to meet the road and has been left completely natural. There is evidence of a badger's set and is a popular through route for the local foxes. A vegetable patch has been established along the edge of the lawn where the rear access has been cut. Here we have successfully grown our own sweetcorn, pumpkins, courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, onions and potatoes. A bit further along we have created a relocation pond for toads, frogs and newts who occasionally decide to take up residence in the swimming pool.
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© TUF E. NUF Productions 2005 |
