“… a thin stream of serenity”

/ Su Leslie
Corten steel and glass entrance way to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Entrance to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Life is anything but tranquil at the moment, and I need a gentle reminder to slow down, worry less and notice more the beauty around me.

In Whanganui a couple of weeks ago I saw this rather imposing structure at the Bason Botanic Gardens. The words on it read:

“Through the trouble of this world there still runs a thin stream of serenity for those who seek it.” — Stanley Bason

In 1966, Stanley Bason gifted his home and farm of 25 hectares to the city of Whanganui, for the “creation of a botanical reserve.” He firmly believed that as population increased and urbanisation spread, people would need beautiful, open spaces in which to relax and escape the pressures of everyday life.

His generosity and foresight have provided the people of Whanganui, and visitors, with just that.

Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
View from Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Detail, entrance to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
View from Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Seen at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
View from Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

64 thoughts on ““… a thin stream of serenity””

    • It is definitely one of the most calming places I’ve been. I like the “framing” too. It seems to have become a “thing” here, particularly in Auckland where all the Regional Parks have huge and ornate wooden picture frames, set to focus attention on the particularly good views.

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    • Isn’t it. I am so impressed by what I learned of Bason. He rescued the farm from bankruptcy and then gifted it to others. The cottage garden around his old house is delightful. I tried photographing it but didn’t manage to frame any really good shots. I have a whole new appreciation for everyone who shares beautiful images of the gardens they visit; composition was much trickier than I expected. 🙂

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    • Yes; the more I learn about him (and his wife) the more impressed I am. They lived for years on the bones of their bums, paying off the farm debts, and only started developing the gardens in their later years. 🙂

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