Bodnant.......

 ..........is a Grade 1 listed garden sitting in the foothills of Snowdon/Eryri in Welsh. It has breathtaking views, reflective pools, Italianate terraces, woods, waterfalls, rushing streams, and a deep riverside dell. 

The 60mile trip from the old coaching inn at Machynlleth to Bodnant took us through Snowdon's National Park. The entire journey afforded us a continuous landscape of delight. 

Sitting in the northern part of Wales the garden offers fresh aspects to view and enjoy throughout all four seasons.

The month of May brings garden lovers to Bodnant wishing to see and stroll beneath it's stunning 55meter long brilliant yellow Laburnum arch, a garden feature that is internationally recognised. To see the arch click here. The rich autumn leaf colour on view during our visit this November was still being complimented by a mixture of summer flowers.

The pathway here is edged with Dichorisandra thyrsiflora - blue ginger - a tropical plant hailing from Brazil.

I was taken by surprise to see this Camellia bush completely covered in brand new buds and flowers. Does the plant think that spring has arrived already, and will it flower again in April? Everywhere Christmas adverts show tinsel, baubles, and tables laiden, but outside appears to think its Spring!

The Hydrangeas and Rhododendron bushes also have new flowers and buds showing. Some Rhododendrons are autumn flowering but the above bush is a spring flowering species.

This delightful Georgian building is known at Bodnant as "The Pin Mill". However, it was built in 1730 in one of the Cotswold valleys below where we live. It was originally built as a garden house to a large property, but eventually it was used as a mill for the manufacture of pins - hence its name. Later it was used as a storehouse for a tannery, but 100 years later it became very dilapidated. A local venture to raise money to repair it failed, and it was bought by Henry, the 2nd Lord Aberconway, who greatly admired it. He had it removed stone by stone, restored, and rebuilt in his Bodnant garden.

"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece"

 Claude Monet

'Croeso i Gymru'........

Safely home having enjoyed a great break in Machynlleth; a small market town located in the lower Dyfi valley, beautifully surrounded by the foothills of Snowdonia's National Park. 

We stayed in a quaint 300 year old Georgian coaching inn where we dined like a Queen. The food was exceptional and memorable. The gold medal chef, Gareth Johns, had the honour of cooking the celebration meal for the Queen when she opened the Welsh Assembly. 

Parliament House - 1404

The town holds an important place in Welsh history. It was once the medieval capital of Wales, and was the location for Owain Glyndwr's parliament, where he was proclaimed king in 1404.

We had some short sudden bursts of rain which did not stop us in our tracks, and were quickly over. It was mild for November, and it was lovely to be out and about enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

The fields, valleys, and mountains are covered in sheep - giving the impression that there are more sheep in Wales than people! 

Welsh cattle are adoreable, with their petite stature, and thick sooty black coats.

The next post will be a wonderful garden near Snowdon; surprisingly it happens to incorporate a small Cotswold building that once stood in the valley below where we live.

Autumn's Gold

As soon as the leaves on our Cornus (Dogwood tree) turn red/orange/and yellow, it also signals the start of our local beech tree forest beginning it's coppery autumn journey.

Many of last years leaves still remain crisp and crunchie underfoot. Walking through them conjures up lots of nostalgic childhood memories of times past.

"I was drinking in the surroundings: air so crisp you could snap it with your fingers and greens in every lush shade imaginable offset by autumnal flashes of red and yellow."

Wendy Delsol, Stork 

It is no wonder that these tall, elegant, noble trees are known as "the Queen of trees." 

 "Shall we take the higher path or the low one?" 

Autumn so far has been unseasonably warm. Something that has been very confusing for the plantlife, and for many animals, especially those that hibernate.

Soon we are having a short break in an old country pub. Hoping to take some good walks, enjoy delicious food, and visit interesting places.........................

'Croeso i Gymru'