Beyond the Gardens
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Beyond Map
Enjoy using this map for your self guided tour beyond the gardens and along the Nature Trail.
The Beyond Gallery offers a slide show of features beyond the gardens along the Nature Trail.
Beyond Features
Keppel Henge is located in the centre of this photo with the Nature Trail going through the fields to Painter's Point.
The Nature Trail Beyond the Gardens
1. There are three access points to the Nature Trail from the southern edge of the gardens.
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2. Keppel Henge is a functioning astonomical installation created for the turn of the century in 1999.
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3. Step into the analemmatic sundial and tell the time on a sunny day.
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4. Another analemmatic installation that illustrates a year with a figure eight.
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5. The Circle Walk, a mown path, offers you a short walk through the field around the astronomical installations.
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6. The vegetable garden is being reonvated this season. The berry bushes are flourishing and the new apple and plum orchard is getting established.
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7. A pause by the stream as you sit in the Birder's Bunkie will refresh your spirits!
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8. High View is the highest part of our farm. There's a bench waiting for you.
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9. Painter's Point offers a view across the bay though the trees are growing in. There's a roofed shelter with seating just over the brow of the point. A picnic table is waiting for you, and an outdoor loo if you have need.​​​​
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10. Bob Gerber Arboretum
Beyond the Gardens Gallery
Our 77 acre farm is to the left side of the aerial photo. The Nature Trail extends to the bush from the gardens.
The Nature Trail is a well mown path to all the astronomical features, through the fields to Painter's Point.
Painter's Point offers a view across the bay. There's a shelter, an outdoor loo and a picnic table. It's a great place for a picnic!
Our 77 acre farm is to the left side of the aerial photo. The Nature Trail extends to the bush from the gardens.
Take a walk on the wild side, beyond the gardens!
The Nature Trail is a mown path through the fields to High View and Painter's Point.
Love your gardens even more on every visit.
Did the High Point trail and admired all the plants and trees on the way.
Twenty two years of watching Keppel Croft grow and change.
Zandra B. Toronto​
You will find various installations and features along the Nature Trail.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the fields and up to Painter's Point.
The Nature Trail
Keppel Henge
Keppel Henge is a functioning henge . Steve Irvine's drone photo was taken at sunrise on the autumn equinox. Steve is standing by the tall pointer stone. Celebrate the Summer Solstice here in June with the Bluewater Astronomical Society.
Painter's Point
For a view of the bay walk up to Painter's Point. There is a picnic table for your use as well as a outdoor toilet. A small shelter with seats is just over the crest of the point.
Birding Bunkie
At the edge of the bush you will find the birding shelter, built from recycled materials with help from our Green Thumbers.. It is three sided so you can sit and have an uninterrupted view of the stream and the bush,
The Arboretum
Bill has been adding trees to his arboretum for over twenty five years. Some trees are planted in small groves while some stand alone. Getting permanent on all the trees has been an on going challenge!
Analemmatic Sundial
When you stand with your back to the sun on a stone calendar the shadow from your raised arms will indicate the time. You are the gnomon. gnomeNo batteries needed but sunshine required.
Walking Your Dog
The mown trails are easy walking for both of you. The trails are used by local wildlife so there will be plenty to keep Rover busy! Please be a responsible dog walker, and mind the poison ivy.
Wild Harvesting
The Nature Trail runs through fields in which there are many self set apple trees, In autumn come with your basket or bag and pick 100% organic apples from unknown tree varieties.
Nature Watch
As you walk along the trail you can read the informative signs along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for all the birds. The fields are full of milkweed so be sure to look for Monarch caterpillars.
