Les Jardin de la Ballue

               

He sat at the far end of the garden like a statue. Perfectly still. I called out, "You don't fool me!" Though he didn't budge. I told him that two could play at this garden game of pretending to be statues, and I ran and hid, hoping he would come and find me.

               

The rectangular columns standing tall like the letter "I." They tossed their dots in the air, chanting out in unison to me, "Over here, come hide here!" I laughed as I ran past them, "You shouldn't have said anything, he heard you, I swear!"

               

Around the corner chairs played along. Hiding in the alcoves of an outdoor theater. There wasn't any standing room left for me. I applauded their genius in design and ran off to find another secret spot to be a statue.

               

The gigantic hedge gave view to the 17th century Chateau of Ballue. I gasped in surprise. How I wish I could hide in that place! But that would be cheating, and I never cheat at games! But imagine hiding in the linen closet? Or in the bathroom amongst the vintage perfume bottles? Or in the kitchen! Ah to dream, to pretend... to be sitting by the fire looking out onto this garden.

               

At the end of the alley, at the far corner of the Garden of Ballue, there is a hedge formed into the temple of Diana. Not a likely place for me to hide considering... you know, I am a vegetarian and Diana is into hunting... I thought it wasn't realistic to hang out in the temple with her given our differences.

               

Feeling like a blade o f grass amongst these over sized chess pieces didn't encourage me to stand still. Honestly I wanted French husband to find me, without having to look too hard.

               

If you look closely, okay with a magnifying glass, you can see French husband coming up the pathway. Darn it my plans were spoiled, the toparies curves didn't match mine anyway.

               

Through the labyrinth I walked calmly. I took my clothes off one piece at a time. Leaving a trail for French husband. A sockette here, a scarf there... Oh wasn't he go to be surprised to find me? In the center of the labyrinth marble white nude.

               

He barely recognized me!

Photos: Of our time spent at La Ballue Jardin. Spring must be glorious in this place. I'll have to go back to see the wisteria.

Comments

[Abbie]

oh, dear me, a little moisturizer perhaps? lol! Wonderful post and I enjoyed my jaunt through the garden very much.
;) Abbie

[melissa @ the inspired room]

You are a girl after my own heart! What fun you had, and what a delightful tale of fun and fancy! I loved it, the photos and all!

[Deb]

What a completely delicious post!! And the most amamzing garden, photographed so beautifully. Thanks Corey x

[Marva]

Corey - how did you get my photo?! Love your story, too funny! Marva

[Melissa]

You have a wonderful way of telling a story with your pictures! I have really enjoyed this road trip through France with you. Thanks for taking us along!

[Alison Whittington]

Another magical post.

Won't you please write a book?

[robyn]

fabulous garden :)

[Candy]

Once again, amazing photos! I love this garden. It's extraordinary.

[tammigirl]

Second request.

Please write a book!

The country of France is sorely missing a great opportunity. You could write an amazing guidebook for them! Beautiful, funny and informative.

Good luck, let me know when it's printed.

[mary]

gorgeous photos ! I love "wandering" in your blog !!!

[pusa]

the photos are great but the stories you tell are really amazing... you really should write a book!

[Teresa]

Beautiful. In my mind I saw Marie Antionette peeking out of the beautifully carved shrubs. Thanks for sharing all your beautiful sites with us!

Teresa

[Karen Cole]

Your last few posts have certainly been a feast for the eyes. Great story about the labryinth, you had me going there for a moment.

[Sweet Remembrance]

I loved your game of hide & seek!
The gardens are beyond beautiful...
Thanks for the fun,
Priscilla

[Elaine L.]

Another delightful post with beautiful pictures!

~elaine~

[Hasmin]

Sooo funny Corey! I'm loving every inch of le jardin...hmmm, quite an upkeep, oui?

[Amber]

This is so cool, Corey. Thanks!

:)

[beachy]

I enjoy visiting you each day, Corey! Your tales inspire, make me smile, and remind me to enjoy life!

[AnnieElf]

Such a lovely game of hide and come seek you play.

[Rosemary]

You are the best Corey. I love your stories and pictures sooo much.
Rosemary

[Scarlett]

Amazing. I often daydream about a parallel life spent in an aged castle with some a formal garden and maze . . .

Sigh.

[heather]

what a fun story! thank you for my first smile of the day. i loved the ending....

[tommie]

Thank you for the laugh today! I really did giggle when I saw the statue!

[Cassoulet Cafe]

Belles photos!!!!

[Kit]

Gorgeous gardens and photos - it would be an irresistible hide and seek place. And I'm sure it would have a wonderful linen closet to hide in, under a pile of pristine sheets ...then you'd get in trouble for scuffing them with dirt from the garden and rumpling their smooth folds!

[Colette]

Corey au pays des merveilles!

xoxo

[Cre8Tiva]

i love those tall i hedges...what a fun story...and even funner game...LOL...silliness is so good for the soul...blessings, rebecca

[Tamara Giselle]

Oh my gosh that is so awesome! Thank you for the link. It has been added to my list of places I have to see. You are a wonderful tour guide and bring out the best of France. France owes you big time!

[Tamara Giselle]

Oh my gosh that is so awesome! Thank you for the link. It has been added to my list of places I have to see. You are a wonderful tour guide. France owes you big time!

[Di Overton]

The bit about the letters I tossing their dots in the air is your best ever. Wonderful post Corey.

[Gill]

What a fun trip through a beautiful garden!

[cheeky]

Oh what fun!
I'm always amazed with your creative mind.
What a lovely place and it's even more lovely to know that two "lovebirds" found themselves playing hide-n-seek amongst all the twists and turns. I wish I could have heard you giggling, because I know you were! :)

[Lorene]

Corey,

It looks like you had a wonderful time. And the ending was very cute! Thank you for the wonderful tour of the garden. I bet it is so beautiful in the spring with all of the flowers blooming.

[Terri]

Wow! How fun would it be to have a place like that in your own back yard (and of course a team of gardeners to keep it looking like that!)
Terri

[Ulla]

You are a true delight! How could French Husband not run and eat you up??? LOL My middle name is Diane, you can come stay in my temple anytime, vegetarian or not!

[sognatrice]

So fun! I wrote about a little game I played with my foreign OH today too ;)

[susanna]

Oh, what fun! I bet FH had a great time searching for you through the maze and hedges! What a beautiful place to wander...

[Leigh]

When are you going to write your first novel, with French Husband as the main character? Beautiful pictures, and your writing, as always, is captivating!

[rochambeau]

Dear Corey,
Even talking about hiding makes my heart beat!
What a beautiful garden to play hide n' seek in!
Have a fun Autumn Day!
and thanks for the tour!

[Jenny Rebecca]

Oh WOW.

[Cheryl]

Dear Corey,
So magical, your words and your photo's.
You MUST write a book. Or have your BLOG published!
A fan (and daily reader) from the Prairies of Canada!
Cheryl

[Paula]

Oh my God, Corey, you have SOOOOOO made my day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How will I ever thank you enough for all the joy you bring to my life?

Smooches.

[Miz Booshay]

What a wonderful place.
Such whimsy :o)

[Dee]

Oh my...what has been going on since I've been away a few days?! I love it!

Beautiful photos, Corey!

[qualcosa di bello]

what a sweet, sweet game...i such a lovely place! i do hope you see it in the spring too...

[cruststation]

You're never too old to play hide & seek, what a fun post and stunning garden.

[lila]

What fun!
[ Surely a bit chilly without clothes this time of year! You'll have to play again when you return to see the wisteria!]

[Holly]

You and the garden...
Perfection!

[delphine]

oh and the garden of ballue is marvelous.
delphine

[delphine]

bravo bravo!@!@! love your sense of humour!!! (i thought for a moment..."did she really get down to her birthday suit?") and then et voilà...brilliant way to start off the day.
delphine