The Contented Mole

Welcome to the new home of the Contented Mole! Those who know me and who follow me on instagram will already know that I am Annabel - a teacher, nature lover, keen cook, gardener and photography enthusiast, who is particularly enchanted by flowers, some might say obsessed.

I live with my three black cats, Mary, Mungo and Midge, in an old country cottage in the heart of Cheshire which I have just finished restoring. Overlooking The Edge and surrounded by rolling fields, it is a charming corner of England, surrounded by grazing sheep and cows, and is a beautiful environment for foraging, creative exploration and learning.

My home overlooks a cottage garden which I am gradually developing and hope to soon have a space full of flowers, perennials and trees to enjoy and to use in my work and for classes.

I have always had a love of gardening and flowers, learning much from my late mother who was always arranging flowers for the house and my late father who was a landscape gardener,

I offer a variety of relaxing and inspiring workshops from floristry and gardening to flower pressing and photography, led by me and an array of talented guest tutors. Whilst here, you will also enjoy some delicious food, whether that be cake and coffee or a tasty home cooked lunch.

I mostly use my own flowers in my classes or those of local flower farmers, working with the seasons and with sustainable floristry techniques. I also like to incorporate vegetables and foraged materials from the land around me into my work.