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

Entrance to cottage garden at Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. The title of this post repeats the words on the sculpture. Image; Su Leslie 2019

I’m still trawling the archive for Friday Flowers posts, and today we are returning to one of my favourite places — Bason Botanic Gardens in Whanganui, NZ.

I’ve written about Bason Gardens before — and used the quote in a post title — but Stanley Bason’s words resonate with me now as much as ever.

“Through the trouble of this world there still runs a thin stream of serenity for those who seek it.” — Stanley Bason (1900-1976: farmer, gardener, philanthropist and visionary)

Today’s photos were taken last December, when the Big T and I visited Whanganui for an early Christmas with my dad and step-mother. T had never been to Bason Gardens before and I felt real pleasure in introducing him to this special place. It helped that we visited late in the day and practically had the 25 hectare park to ourselves.

That we got caught in a massive downpour was a bit of a bummer, but great for the photos.

Roses, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Roses, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Rosebud, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Views from cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Views from cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Roses, Cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Tropical house, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Dianthus, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Dianthus, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

#fridayflowers