Being an avid gardener, I updated my gardening blog with lots (but not all) of my photos of flowers and gardens from our trip. There are photos from Ephrussi gardens, the Nice market, wildflowers along paths, and lots of village photos with a gardening/flower theme. I'll be creating a travel blog later, but I wanted to go ahead and get my gardening photos together.

Cameron
Flowers in France

Cameron,

What wonderful pictures! I can't believe you've already downloaded so much stuff! Shouldn't you be unpacking or doing laundry or even sleeping?!

Your home is stunning! I love your gardens, I could happily get lost in your back yard.

Thank you for sharing,
Laura

PS Word on the weather front you were supposed to get severe weather today. I hope you, and your lovely gardens, didn't suffer any damage.

We had downpours with tornado watches all day yesterday. Fortunately, all we got was a lot of rain. The lavender is beaten down by the weight of the rain, but otherwise, the garden is fine. Thanks for your concern.

I'm still not time-zone adjusted, so I've already done my laundry. Getting up at 5:00am gives one a lot of time! LOL

Cameron

Love your blog! Just starting to become a gardener (I hope!)

While looking through your older posts, I noticed you mentioned an apartment in Rome. Mind sharing the info on it? I've already booked something for this year with my family, but thought it sounded like a nice place to stay with my hubby.

PS. I got sooooo much done the first few days back from France with those 5 am wakeup calls!

Sophia, the apartment that we always rent in Rome has gotten more expensive, and it's in GBP instead of Euros.

We like it because it's a true oasis in Rome with the large walled garden. The apartment that we rent is very large with two full baths and two bedrooms, a large living/dining area and a full kitchen. It includes a large outside terrace. It provides a lot of privacy and space in a big city. One can hire the owner's driver if needed.

It's best to mention the downside of renting there rather than all the great things.

It's a 15 minute walk from the Forum at Porta Metronia, a gate in the Aurelian Wall...not too far from the Appian Way. Taxis are best hailed by walking down to the Forum as it's difficult to get one in the residential area. If a taxi goes through Porta Metronia gate, they have exited "Rome" and it costs more.

The owner requires full payment by wire transfer to a bank in the UK. We've done this several times and it always has been fine. The keys and information are MAILED to you, weeks in advance.

The owners have a very thick brochure full of instructions and rules about the water heater, the kitchen, the grass, the antique furniture, the antique plumbing, the gardens, the gates, cleaning, towels, etc. as the owners live in Vienna, not at the villa. One must get assistance from their hired staff by special arrangement.

apartment