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The River Wye meanders through this beautiful landscape on its long journey from the mountains tops of Wales to its final destination in the Atlantic ocean. There are castles and abbeys to explore, and a huge variety of pathways for walkers - through the forest, besides the river, or high up on the hilltops.
View across the Forest of Dean to the Malvern Hills, and the Brecon Beacons.
Although closed until next Spring it is possible to still view part of the garden through the ornamental railings - all was looking peaceful, and serene.
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All of the berries this year are very prolific but I have never witnessed such large clusters of holly berries before. Old wives tales say that we are in for a hard winter. However, there is no clear logic to that story - it is the Spring weather that determines whether there are sufficient insects around for the flowers to be pollinated, plus sun and warmth in early autumn to help the berries ripen.
Such a beautiful area! And wow, yes, that holly is just loaded with berries!
ReplyDeleteI have what is known as a "lollipop" variegated holly tree which lives in a large terracotta pot, but it has very few berries, and even that has put on a show this year.
DeleteHello Rosemary, I know we keep resorting to words like "stunning" and "magical" to describe your photographs and the places you visit, but we are running out of adjectives! Those holly berries are so abundant they look like a GMO food crop!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - you comments always lift my spirits. My own feelings are that my photographs and blogging have deteriorated - age is catching up with me. You are correct, the berries this year do look as if they are a GMO food crop, but the birds are loving them.
DeleteMy holly too is laden and makes a cheery view from the window. Lovely to see such beautiful autumnal colours. A perfect escape. B x
ReplyDeleteWe feel fortunate to have so many great places to escape to which are relatively nearby. They make for a very easy get-a-way.
DeleteIt's a lovely area. Only visited it once decades ago on a grand tour of hilly areas of Southern England but I did enjoy it. Plenty to explore.
ReplyDeleteI have never visited during winter, but in the Spring, Summer, and Autumn the trees are always a joy to behold.
DeleteA late 17th century water garden sounds very peaceful and health-giving.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens lie very close to the R. Severn - it is a lovely spot to wander around. Climbing the small tower gives spectacular overviews of the water garden.
DeleteBeautiful colours in the scenes Rosemary, very pretty and the river is a lovely one.
ReplyDeleteWe say the same about the berries too.
It is a very nice area to visit especially with the Autumn colouring.
DeleteBeautiful photos that show me an area I've never visited, though always intended to. There seem to be masses of berries on the hedgerows this year, though I've not seen many winter thrushes to feed on them - I think this avian flu has had a much more devastating effect than we imagine. I'm sure you must have had a wonderful break in such scenic country.
ReplyDeleteRedwings and Fieldfares have hardly been seen in our garden this Autumn, but there are lots of small birds - Long-tail Tits etc in our garden hedgerow.
DeleteThat's the fattest pineapple finial I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteIs it much fatter than yours?
DeleteDear Rosemary, thank you for the beautiful photos! And a Dutch Water Garden sounds alluring - did you take more photos?
ReplyDeleteAs to pineapples I learned (if I believe it, though I doubt..) something bizarre in a TV-Quiz: in former time in England it should have been possible to rent (!!) a pineapple, they claimed - to show luxury as a center piece on your table.
Can you imagine that - or do you know whether that is true?
Dear Britta - I have never heard that about the pineapple. In the late 17th c when they were first brought to Europe they were considered to be very exotic but something only affordable by the rich. We have an antique silver table centre stand that we were informed was designed to hold a whole pineapple.
DeleteI didn't take more photos of the gardens as they were closed until next Spring, but I have done a two part post following a visit to the garden during 2019. If you wish you can see here: https://wherefivevalleysmeet.blogspot.com/2019/07/part-1-westbury-court-garden.html
Thank you, Rosemary! Come to think of it: pineapples in stone masonry as Tom (blogger from Bath) does restore makes also sense when we think of the luxury of that fruit.
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DeleteI know the Wye has been having big problems, polluted like all our rivers have recently become, and that's what I've been associating with it for a while. So I am glad I saw your pictures which also reminded me of how beautiful this river, and its surrounding countryside, are. I loved the close up of the shrubs too and am glad you enjoyed your break.
ReplyDeleteWe have not noticed the pollution in the Wye on our various visits but know from news reports that it has been badly affected by run-off from chicken farms etc - which has been a big turn off for me re: eating chicken.
DeleteI really enjoyed your autumn colour especially that wonderful holly.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is mentioning just how exceptional the berries are this year.
DeleteBeauty that impresses!
ReplyDeleteGreetings. 🌞
Thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteWow, wow, wow! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove from a cold island & Titti
It is misty and chilly here too now - winter is on its way.
DeleteA beautiful place for a break. Autumn colours add so much to the landscape at this season. It's a sunny day here, and has been for a week or so, but frosty in the mornings.
ReplyDeleteAt this time of year any sun is an added blessing.
DeleteYou had a lovely break, Rosemary. Exploring along the Wye sounds exciting. (I searched how to pronounce “Wye”.) Interesting to know pineapple finial is the symbol of hospitality. Maples are nicely framed. Each leaf shows different color. I agree with your logic about the abundant berries.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Hello Yoko - the tree colours are falling rapidly and soon the branches will be bare. Winter is starting to show its face along with a frosty feel to the air first thing the morning.
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