we stopped here first to let the girls have a run - it is a place called Fairlight and it has the most amazing views of the sea.
we attempted to have a picnic and failed - Bean kept standing on the food, Talulla kept heading for the cliff edge..........
but the highlight, and the reason for the trip out was to go here
it is the home of Derek Jarman who is sadly no longer with us.
i purchased his book after kind folk on here recommended it for coastal gardening, and was totally blown away by what he managed to achieve here at Dungeness whilst fighting an illness that would eventually end his life.
Dungeness is a strange place - it has an energy all of it's own which you feel as soon as you arrive
the houses are spread over such a large barren landscape but each has made its own individual mark on the skyline.
we stopped and chatted to a guy who opens his studio for anyone who is passing - he spent a long time trying to cuddle Talulla and Bean who showed their very aloof whippet side.......
just look at our glorious shape, shiny coats and velvet ears
but please do not expect us to make a huge fuss of you!
i asked him if the public were allowed to visit Derek Jarman's garden as there were no signs as we drove in.
He sadly told us that since the book was published (apparently something that Derek was not sure about) the place gets so many visitors who feel that it is there god-given right to just walk around the garden and peer through the windows, that the chap (very good friend of Derek) who keeps the garden and house looking so wonderful cannot actually live there!
I took all our photos from the roadside and still felt a little uncomfortable.
other visitors did not seem to care and trampled all over the front and back of the property, pressing themselves up against the windows.....
i came away not feeling inspired, but instead saddened and angry.
clearly there is no answer to the problem, other homes have HUGE signs saying PRIVATE so have no doubt suffered with people just being plain rude and ignorant.
i guess i will stick to reading and enjoying his book
some things are as beautiful as they are in print - but can so easily be ruined by us.
but this sight brightened my mood as we headed back to the car.......
how great would this look in Scotland as an extra bedroom?
had to stop and take a photo if only to please me and dotti angel
Stephen said people would rather stay in his redundant boat
lets wait and see.........
t x
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23 comments:
Hi Tracy, I can't quite believe I have missed so many of your recent posts! I've certainly enjoyed catching up though.
What a wonderful place to visit but such a shame that people can't always respect the quiet sanctitude that people create.
That old 'caravan' is fantastic! What a wonderful project that would be to decorate the interior!
Clare x
i was all teary eyed about Derek and his lovely home and then i scroll down and get completely choked up at the AIRSTREAM TRAILER picture...what a thing of beauty...Derek's house is beautiful as well and the lovely garden...but me oh my, that trailer sure looks like 'eye candy' to me...
and haveing gone back to take another long lovely look, tell Stephen he is "oh so wrong" about the boat bit...
and yes i do remember we are suppose to remove the 'e' when adding 'ing', it's just i was all of a fluster...
Dungeness is a strange and wonderful place isn't it? It's a shame to hear about Derek Jarman's garden now. That 'caravan' is amazing, never seen anything like it! Hope your day inspired you both!
Kim x
Lovely caravan! I have seen a website that offers holidays in this type of van.
Funny, I keep looking at VW camper vans - in fact yesterday I double parked as one was for sale and I wanted to write down the telephone number. I too think it would be a fab extra bedroom but my husband is having none of it. I'm not getting anywhere with my convincing powers on this one...sigh!!
Ah that is my house! (well it's not but I wish it was if you know what I mean).
I have always wanted to visit Dereks house and garden. He was and still is so inspirational. I can't believe that people can be so disrespectful.
Anyway, I digress, how's the packing coming along? Have you chosen your paint colours for your new house yet?
Victoria x
That's such a shame to hear about the way people treat Derek Jarmans garden. I guess that's the down side to the book. I think I'll just stick to looking at the book, which I've had a few years and is one of my absolute favourites.
I really love that caravan and agree that something like that would make a fantastic spare bedroom. Mind you, I do also like the idea of a boat as a spare room.
Aw Tracy what a lovely little house...you are so fortunate to have seen it. I know about that unique energy that some towns have. Tintagel in Cornwall has it...it's like nothing I have ever felt before and it's so magical and inviting. I have only been to Tintagel twice but I think of it almost everyday. I have never been to Scotland but I hope to some day. It is sad that people are so rude and not aware of other's boundaries. That sweet little vulnerable house...can't people just be good to it? Argh! Anyway...as well as quanset huts (sp?), I absolutely love Airstreams and dream of owning one some day. When I was a kid I used to think they were giant armadillos! So, thanks for posting such nice pics and a great story. Oh, and as for aloof dogs....pah! you should see mine...lol..all he cares about is chasing squirrels, you cant EVER pin him down for a cuddle! xxx
We drove past Derek Jarman's garden a few years ago and I didn't even get out of the car, just snapped some pictures through the open window as it seemed wrong to intrude. How sad that people wander in just because it doesn't have a fence round it. Hope it inspires you for you new garden though
Put me down as an Airstream lover too, I wouldn't stay in a boat unless it was on dry land and not moving!
sadly, i will not be hauled up in an airstream but in a mobile home park in south devon...i use the term 'trailer' loosely but it helps with getting over the fact i will be in close contact with my four kids for the month and if i say 'trailer' it just sounds so much better...here's praying for sunshine over the UK in July...
Euan fancies an airstream - in fact he has even got a list somewhere of import taxes and shipping rates.
I thought it would look wonderful surrounded by wild flowers in the meadow - all those flowers reflected in the shiny sides.
He's now distracted by building the corugated shed - not unlike Derek Jarman's main house now I come to think of it.
I hope you got lots of ideas.
J
x
Is it me ot do Airstreams look like woodlice?
Fame is fickle - some people are so ignorant and selfish.
Lovely that the doggies had a day out and a picnic too:)
As always a really interesting post with such lovely photos.
I have never been to dungeness but have wanted to for a longtime.
I love anywhere coastal.
Thanks for sharing the pictures of Derek Jarman's garden and house, I had never heard of him before but I am now off to amazon to check out his book.
Racheal x
As always a really interesting post with such lovely photos.
I have never been to dungeness but have wanted to for a longtime.
I love anywhere coastal.
Thanks for sharing the pictures of Derek Jarman's garden and house, I had never heard of him before but I am now off to amazon to check out his book.
Racheal x
OMG! Tracy I've only just read your post- but look what I've just written about!! Blogland is one very, very spooky place!
Ooh-I really enjoyed reading this post and finding out more! Lovely photos!
Hi Tracy,
It's so sad that other people can't just look from a distance and just take photos. Why do they feel the need to walk all over the garden and press there faces into the windows? An alarm is whats needed lol that would scare them. They wouldn't walk on the flowers then.
That caravan is so cool, it reminds me of a armadillo. Or woodlouse with it's funny little shell. lol
Catherine x
Thanks for your comments...
So sad your giving up your shop, I totally understand though, its nice to hear from someone who understands how tough it can be running your own little shop.
I hope you enjoy your new adventure, sounds like your going to a beautiful place.
Great blog...I LOVE your doggies!
Jennifer.
My boys would LOVE to have one of their very own trailers to call their "bedroom"! Sounds like your visit was wonderful, but it is a shame when people have no consideration for private property.
Dungeness is one of my favourite places so I was thrilled to see your post. I've visited several time, usually in February which is the bleakest month. I find the bleakness of Dungeness beautiful. It's so exposed and raw.
We honeymooned in Rye and drove down to the beach for a touch of sun bathing one day. Even in August we were the only ones on the beach. With the power station in the background it's a little like being on another panet I always find!
It's sad that Dereks partner feels that he can no longer live there. He's an actor but when he's not working he's a local fisherman which I think is lovely.
I feel homesick right now but in a good way. Thank you for sharing you wonderful day trip with us.
I LOVE Dungeness. I like it's eeriesness. When it's misty, you can hear all the big tankers sounding their fog horns out at sea and it always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Have you ever had fish and chips at the Brittania pub? It's the best! Roland always worries that the fish may be radioactive because of the Nuclear Power station next door. (I don't worry about it as I stuff my face).
I, like you, take pictures from a distance of Derek Jarmans garden. I think it's really rude to go too close.
I've seen that airstream down there. The house it is next to is made of rubber apparently!
Hi! I've added you to my fav's. I loved reading your blog.
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