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Old 12-08-2005, 11:46 PM
Janet Baraclough
 
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The message
from Stephen Henning contains these words:

To be more precise:

Here's an example of your "precision":

Brodick Castle & Gardens runs down to about 100 meters from the firth of
Clyde, quite close.


Brodick Castle & Gardens is situated on a sheltered plateau above the
firth of Clyde, but the gardens extend down near the highway along the
shore.


You don't seem to know which, do you? Here's a picture; the garden is
below the castle and adjoins the sea

http://www.arransites.co.uk/images/bro_castle2.jpg


The "highway", is a narrow road, immediately adjoining the sea. It's
just wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other.The oldest and most
famous rhododendron area called the Planthunter's Walk, is at the bottom
of the garden alongside the road from which it's separated by a metal
rail. last year we spent weeks cutting year back rhododendrons
overhanging that rail and obstructing the narrow road. On the other
side of the narrow road, literally, is the sea. Salt water, tidal, with
seals, the occasional whale, shark, submarine etc.


And Arduaine Gardens is not very near any place, but it is 16 mi. west
of Inveraray (43 mi. by road) & 20 mi. south of Oban, so Inveraray is
closest to Inveraray (not Inverary) if you look at a map.


Very precise; but unfortunately, meaningless.

West Scotland's salt-laden coast is famous for its
rhododendron gardens .


How can areas with 60 to 90 inches of annual rainfall be salt laden?!?!?!


The rain, and wind, come from 300 miles of Atlantic ocean and are
heavily salt-laden.

Brodick Castle & Gardens is protected from the westerly winds by the
3,866 foot tall Goatfell.


Wrong. Goatfell is 2866 ft tall and lies directly north of the
castle and gardens; so does not protect them from the prevailing wind,
which is from the south-west.

Because Brodick Castle is so exposed to the wind, it's the site of
weather station for the Meteorological Office.

Janet