Photos! - Chandor Garden Tour, Nov. 5, 2005
For this event we tried to do something a little different. We have arranged a guided tour of Chandor Gardens, one of the most enchanting gardens in the United States. It is the result of 16 years of work and inspiration by the English artist Douglas Chandor, who married the former Ina Hill of Weatherford. Douglas designed and worked on the gardens until his untimely death in 1953. After Ina’s death in 1978, the gardens fell into neglect until restored by Charles and Melody Bradford. Today, the restored gardens are a valued asset of the City of Weatherford.

Everyone found the tour to be a very enjoyable experience. A big part of its success was due to our talented docent, Texas Master Gardener Leslie Grady whose knowledge and love for these gardens became quite evident.

After the tour, we had a delicious lunch (really, it was wonderful) at Weatherford's Whistle Hill Cafe. Six cars participated, and everyone had a great time. The wine helped, too!
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The caravan forms up.
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The lineup. Quite a variety of great Mercedes.
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Gary and Doris Ferreira joined us in Weatherford with their 500SL (Euro).
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Bert and Min Graham, Rich Trantham, John Knight, Larry Vaughn.
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Emily Trantham, Karen Vaughn and Cecile de Jesus.
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Bert Graham, Min Graham, Rich Trantham, John Knight, Carol Knight, Larry Vaughn.
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Marilyn Landry of Chandor Gardens greets us at the gate in the best possible manner - a great smile.
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The tour begins. Leslie Grady addresses our group.
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Leslie, Emily and Rich.
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Larry, Karen and Bert.
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Douglas Chandor himself fired the vee-shaped cobblestones on this walkway. He used Ina's oven.
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The Dragon Fountain.
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Buddha's mom.
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Fall bloom.
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More Fall bloom.
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There is a tiny waterfall inside this grotto.
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An oriental gate.
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Chinese foo dogs, again fired by Douglas Chandor, atop the gate.
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Attentive group. There is a miniature fishing village in the grotto. It is yet to be restored. The desired effect is to have a window looking out to the village.
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Cox mountain. Plus waterfall.
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Larry on the mountain top.
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Little Chandor touches - a tiny elephant on the side of Cox Mountain.
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Douglas Chandor lived to garden. Every other activity was directed toward the garden and for the garden.
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Another Chandor touch. A buddha shrine. He loved Oriental themes and mixed it with traditional British garden technique.
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"The Pond".
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The Chinese Junk rests on The Pond.
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Group lunch. What a great day.
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