Penn Allen

Five years since I first put pen to paper, can barely believe that I can say, at long, long last #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg will be out 20th May. Order link in bio. Enormous thanks to @BookcaseCrlisle @BookendsCarl #Cumbria #gardenhistory #PlantHunters #artsandcrafts #lakedistrict

Morning All, I shall keep this account open but pulling back a little. Do hope I don’t lose touch with anyone, am on Instagram penn.allen Have a lovely weekend one and all. #GardeningTwitter #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

I just love these icy cold starts with clear blue skies and lots of rain at last this week so am heading out for a little light tree shopping today - wish me luck. #mygarden #dogwalking #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg #newgarden #GardeningTwitter

Blowing a hoolie here today. The Virginia creeper has been an absolute fiery delight but this blustery weather will see the last of it off, I fear. #mygarden #virginiacreeper #fieryautumn #gardening #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

Morning All, starting to get to grips with the local dog walking, all very beautiful, another piece of jigsaw falling into place. #dogwalking #housemove #swfrance #blue skies

Really getting stuck in now. This part of the garden was once the mill pond and is steeply banked on three sides. Using limbs and chippings from tree felling, we have made a stairway to our own little heaven. Now to plant! #mygarden #GardeningTwitter #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

Starting to feel my way into the new garden and am finding the courage to plant and plan. It is all about the river, so that is where I am beginning, happily I brought scores of ferns with me! #mygarden #swfrance #rivergarden #ferns #watergarden #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

At long last some worthwhile time spent in my new garden and joy of joys, it seems that I have earth! I put a fork in and dug a hole, quite a novelty, could this be the end of pick axing? #mygarden #movinghouse #GardeningTwitter #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

Called in a tree surgeon this week. Many beautiful trees in new garden, some of which need attention and also a lot of self seeded stragglers. I don’t want to get too carried away with planting until we get the bones right. #mygarden #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg #newhome

Ten days since we arrived and am just beginning to really inspect the garden at last. A totally raw and wild canvas with some beautiful trees, and all bordered by the sparkling Barguelonne. #mygarden #rivergarden ##wildgarden #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg #movinghouse

That is so lovely to hear, Diane. It really does mean the world to me that you are enjoying it and very kind of you to take the time to let me know. Thank you.

I can’t quite believe it, but we are in at last and look what was waiting to greet me - a veritable grove of Autumn Lady’s Tresses! Total chaos, but feels like home. Heaven. #mygarden #wildorchid #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg #GardeningTwitter #AutumnLadysTresses

Tickled pink to be invited to contribute to The Alpine Gardener, I’ve always believed that my story is too important to be forgotten. @AlpineGardenSoc @BookendsCarl #gardenhistory #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg #cumbria #planthunters

Sudden shift in the season this week, temperatures have really dropped. A shock to the system for this beauty too, I imagine. One more week to while away… #prayingmantis #walking #movinghouse #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

A little taste of our new garden. Two more weeks of sitting it out and then I shall be able to look at this each morning when I wake. I am fit to bust! #movinghouse #swfrance #oldmillhouse #moulin #river #mygarden #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

Found ourselves in this magical field of wild chicory yesterday, a heart lifting sight. Hard to do the colour justice, such an intense blue, and the smell was amazing. #swfrance #dogwalking #wildchicory #wildflowers #chicoryblue #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

Am feeling a little lost without my garden, but keeping busy reading, researching, writing and resting in the dappled shade of this most noble Lime tree. #swfrance #amwriting #limetree #romanticpoets #cumbria #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

Artistic shot of teasel photobombed by wet Labradors! Phase one accomplished, out of our beloved G and into gîte with hearts and bodies intact. Now to keep cool and rest before phase two next month. #movinghouse #labradors #dogwalking #swfrance #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

It has begun. My not so little nursery of treasures moved safely to their temporary home and we shall follow at the end of the week. All systems go now. #GardeningTwitter #mygarden #plantnursery #onthemove #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg

It has been such a hot week, apart from the racket of cicadas in oak trees, quiet and still prevailed as everything hunkered down, but this little fellow wasn’t overly troubled. They do make me smile. #frogs #wildlifepond #mygarden #GardeningTwitter #TheLostGardenOfLoughrigg