a perfect evening in Seaview
Our friend Patti has a dreamy garden in Seaview. Every time we visit her two dogs are joined by other dogs in what seems to be an endless round of Patti dog-sitting for friends. There were four on the day in early August when we visited to deliver a pot of Cotinus ‘Golden Spirit’: Bosco, who eluded the camera, Webster, the Portuguese water dog, and two small dogs, one rather bossy.
The charcoal grey furniture throughout the garden provides plentiful sit spots. Back in the days when Patti first bought and redesigned this garden, it didn’t have as much open space. My former partner, Robert, lived there for a year some time after we parted and he, being an expert hardscaper and garden visionary, helped turn one area into a soothing gravel entertainment mecca. Negative space is a positive thing.
East of the back decks a richly tropical-themed garden with cannas and eucalyptus….(below left) on the morning August 2nd and (below right) again in the evening of August 29th, when we were invited to dine al fresco with friends on the gravel patio. Patti’s one amazing cook so we got salmon with sauce, and prime rib, golden potatoes, a delectable dessert creamy sort of pastry tart, and scones made by Ocean Park guests. It was an unusual evening at the beach: warm, helped along by a propane heater, and we lingered till almost dark in the magical paradise.
There were four dogs in attendance, and later five, when the neighbour and owner of the Skookum Surf School brought his, so around and round the garden they ran and played and snuffled and romped, making it a perfect evening for a dog lover like me.
[2012 note: We had a good time working in Patti’s garden on and off in 2011. Be sure to click on that Skookum link just above; there’s a great little movie on the home page.]
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