Cruden Farm, Dame Elizabeth Murdoch’s residence, had an open garden day this Sunday and I dragged the whole family to Langwarrin to have a sticky beak (I love that Aussie-ism) at her mansion and gardens, reputed to be the loveliest in Australia.
Finn immediately felt right at home. He ran up to the front door, sighed with pleasure and asked if this was our new house. Never hurts to dream big, little rabbit!
One of the most visually stunning parts of the estate is this famous avenue of Lemon Scented Gumtrees. The kids ran down it whooping with joy…
Thanks for getting us the new house Ma!
It was a great place to explore. We found a very quaint little swimming pool behind a wall, with wheelchair access, presumably for the Dame. Aren’t these stone walls gorgeous? I have a thing for secret walled gardens, so romantic and ancient…
The lake was full of very tame baby ducklings and their parents….
And we decided to set up our picnic here. Sean was very amused by the rabbit lunchbag that I brought because when unzipped, it became a (I quote) “dildo-shaped placemat”, see picture below with unfortunately placed grapes…
Halfway through lunch, a big golden retriever climbed out of the pond and made its way to our picnic mat ready to shake its wet self all over our goodies!
…which Finn was delighted by…
One of those very rare shots of mama……
I love these slate steps sunken into the garden, and I think we will be doing something similar with the steps leading down to our yet unconstructed pool…
All too soon it was time to go…
Bye bye Cruden Farm!
And we finished off Sunday with a healthy dinner of KFC at the Hastings Marina as nobody was in the mood to wash plates today.
For more garden inspiration, read one of my favourite books, design doyenne Bunny Williams’s An Affair with a House…
Enjoy!
the crystal bawl 