snowdrops and daffodiles

First garden trip of the year has to be Coulesbourne Park and the national collection of snowdrops. That harbinger of spring soon to be followed by crocus, bluebell and daffodil.

The walk through the grounds takes in picturesque vistas of lake, mill house, church, bridge, stream before the well earned delightful tea and cake in the out buildings.

Remember this ...

Whiteout

Still it snows - but it may be gone soon n replaced by floods (probably be a plague of locusts after that!)Still made the most of it. Our path through the forest was crossed by a family of four deer - just managed to catch the last one as it lept through the trees.






Watched the birds n ducks as they walked across the frozen pond.

Baby it's cold outside

I'm dreamin of a white Easter :))

Beyond Symonds Yat

Just got back from a brisk, if somewhat muddy, walk on the west bank of the Wye at Symonds - the aptly named Peregrine Way. We walked down from the top car park at Symonds - a decision we would come to rue on the climb back up on the way back. The Peregrine Path starts from the New Weir car park and follows the old railway line from Symonds Yat towards Monmouth.  2km from Symonds Yat you come to the recently restored Biblins suspension bridge which carries the Wye Valley Walk over the river. If you thought the original new bridge across the Thames was wobbly ... 

Following the river path through the now deserted camp site the path rose steeply up to King Arthurs Cave, the lad certainly got around.











On the descent you pass the remains of Mr Partridges Weir and Ironworks

The track was more muddy than usual due to an excess of rain and lots of churning from Forestry Com. workings in the woods. The trip back was across the the hand-pulled ferry to the Saracens Head Inn on the banks of the Wye. 

So That Was Christmas

Just got back from a trip up north. Weather was bad, fog n rain, almost all of the trip up there n back. But as you can see it didn't deter Santa. How he gets down the central heating duct I'll never know!

Great catching up with family in Carlisle and Dumfries. Yet again an exceptional festive spread provided by Lynne, ably assisted by Craig n Jean.

So back to Gloucester for New Year. Guess we'll get thru the wine n chocs by Easter :-p

Have a great New Year yourselves.

Another year older ...

The only way to spend a birthday, in good company in a Landmark Trust property. This year, accompanied by Marilyn n Marion, we headed west to Pembroke and the tiny city of St David.

The cottage at Tower Hill St Davids is situated just above the close wall at St David’s and has an amazing view of the cathedral and ruin of the bishops palace, A place of worship that was already ancient when the Normans built their cathedral beside it. The cathedral also houses the tomb of Henry VII father, Henry VIII grandfather, which it is said saved the cathedral from the reformation. St Davids is the smallest city in the UK. 

With the cathedral at one side and the Farmers Arms at the other it caters for both spiritual and worldly needs.

The coastal footpath round St Davids Head is stunning and culminates in ancient stone fortifications and cromlechs. We followed this with a trip to Strumble Head with its remote lighthouse. 

Coetan Arthur is a Neolithic burial chamber dating from about 4000BC. It has a huge capstone almost 20ft (6m) wide, supported by a side stone over 3ft (1m) tall. It was almost certainly built this way, with one end resting on the ground, as an 'earthfast' megalith. It mimics the shape of Carn Llidi behind it. This coastline has a rich prehistoric past. There are also remains of ancient field patterns, enclosures and defensive banks dotted all around.

Then more cromlechs from the impressive Pentre Ifan 

to the smaller St Elvis.

Had a great meal at the wonderful Sloop at Perthgain with its picturesque harbour and amazing slate and loadstone works whose gigantic stone skips flowed crushed stone directly to the harbourside and waiting ships.

For breakfast and/or lunch 35 @ Solva is to be highly recommended for food and friendly service.

Autumn Colours in the Forest of Dean

Amazing sunny weekend, not yet crisp with frost, but a perfect day to enjoy the rustic colours of autumn. The forest floor in many places is carpeted in gold and brown. Together with the shards of low sunlight seeping through the trees makes this years a memorable autumnal scene.





















and having walked the path from Blackpool Pond there is no better place to refresh than the kiosk at Mallards Pike Lake.