Alexandrine Auguste duchess of Mecklenburg, born 24 December 1879 became by marriage crown princess and afterwards in the time from 1912 till 1947 queen of Denmark and Iceland. She died on 28 December 1952.

BUGA Schwerin, 29 June 2009

Here I sit with hot chocolate in my heated room, reminiscing a perfect summer day. The castle park appeared to have been left mostly in their original architecture though added by extra flower patches, a square with a café and take-away and an area in its utmost corner displaying artful gravestones and graveplantings under shady trees.

However to the great displeasure of nature lovers about 1000 trees have been cut and reed areas have been cleaned away around lake Schwerin to allow a free view of the castle. Though the castle is a truly graceful sight, one wonders if it shouldn't be the purpose of a garden show to integrate the present flora instead of destroying it. It is difficult to say, when not remembering how it looked before, but it is a pity for the birds and insects, who once had their home there.

However the grey geese seemed to enjoy the premises.

Have a closer look at their bills. I find the teeth quite impressive.

Just a bit down the path, I was finally provided with a magnificent panoramic view of the castle 

The spires are the eyes delight!

While in your back a waterfall of flowers and cabbage wondered, if you wouldn't like a stroll uphill to allow the eye another spectacular angle of this scenery.

The view from the hilltop.

Turn around, and just on the opposite side of the fence you find this delightful object for sale.

It's a pity, it's so run down. Look at the elaborate ornamentation. I wonder what kind of building it formerly was.

Well, I wasn't here to look at ruins, however fascinating, so I proceded on my way through the park to discover more of its secrets.

Which ended with a closer look at this patch.

The explorer's adventure. Unbelievable, how many beauties were hidden in two yellow flower beds.

Not much further afield on right hand side I sighted a labyrinth. No chance to get lost, though. Every turn could be used as a way out.

From here the path winded its way through refreshing shade of old dark leaved trees, past an amphitheater, which looked like a place of regular concerts, and to the further end of the park, where the sample cemetary had been installed. Lot's of people and a bunch of gardeners were moving around here, so that it completely lacked the quiet atmosphere you would expect at such a place. After having taken a look around I strolled downhill past green rhododendron bushes to the statue of Alexandrine.

And at this point we will enter the next garden:

"The Shoreline Garden".