Aside from the obligatory fun rides, piers & candy floss I was really impressed by the quality of the public plantings in and around Southend. Not a lot of work for the crew from http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ required here! There were more roadside roses in Southend than in some rose gardens.
I've been to Southend a few times now. The last time I visited the Priory Gardens in Priory Park but I didn't have my camera with me. Here are some photos of Mr Brown's garden taken by his daughter and I before a lovely summer BBQ. I was in closeup macro mode...
23 Jul '06 9:11 am Begonia ,dear Eggy ....Begonia...I always have them growing .
Thank you for a lovely taste of Summer ..The fuschias are beautiful..I do not like to be that close to a wasp ,though ..I have its friends and relations around here - To quote Moosey -"AAARGH !"
Dixie
Jack Holloway
Passionate Gardener
SEQUOIA FARM Haenertsburg South Africa
Lovely!
24 Jul '06 1:31 am Your three fuchias remind me of my gran, who always compared them to ballerinas! Amazing photo of yew! I would never have guessed, it is so translucent.
Liza
gardening consultant
Waterloo, Belgium
You made my...night!
24 Jul '06 10:20 am Thank you , Eggy! Happy to feel you near us again through your delightful photos with their magnificent models! The photos tell me you were extra happy while taking them.... Such energizing colours! I love them!
jacqueline
Thankful Gardener
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Stunning Photos of lovely blooms!
26 Jul '06 4:58 am Wow! They're lovely macro shots, Eggy! Colours are so vivid, especially your fuschias! Love those visitors on them too . That lovely shot of yew is inspiring! must try to get close-up snaps like yours of my potted Japanese Yew (I've two plants!), which always fascinates me with their beautifully coloured light green young leaves amidst their contrasting deep green aged leaves.
Your beautiful fuschias reminds me of my attraction to an unknown plant, captured last August at a Cactus Garden in Cameron Highlands, bearing the same amazing colours. Could you kindly confirm whether the plant in my picture is Fuschia? Thanks.
. That lovely shot of yew is inspiring! 
must try to get close-up snaps like yours of my potted Japanese Yew (I've two plants!), which always fascinates me with their beautifully coloured light green young leaves amidst their contrasting deep green aged leaves.
