Winter walk in Dinefwr Deer Park (photo heavy)

This will be one of these posts which could be a tad short on words as the photos don't need a lengthy description.

We felt in need of some fresh air today, and as it was such a beautiful clear winter's day, I went with our eldest daughter and her boyfriend for a walk in Dinefwr Castle Deer Park.  We parked up in the Rugby Club car park and made our way across the back of the parkland, using excellent pathways much of the time.  Only the section from the car park to the main track were at all muddy, and even then we managed to find a drier way through.  There were no wild birds on the pond, but plenty of small birds in the woodland around us.

This view is from the main pathway between the woodland and the fields, going in the direction of Newton House.  We stood and drank in the view of the foothills which front Black Mountain.  Just behind the trees to the left is Garn Goch, which was an Iron Age hillfort (the links are worth visiting).  It's many years since we were last there, and we must go again - we have no excuse as it's not very far from Llandeilo or our home.  When T and I were on the Roman Dig in Dinefwr Park, I can remember Ken saying that the Romans would have been able to see the campfires of the Demetae who lived at Garn Goch, just as the Demetae were well aware of the Roman Fort and could see their occupation.

A little wonderworld of moss and fungi had taken over this long-felled tree.

Above and below: The trees stood proud against the blue, blue skies behind the slope.

You can see Garn Goch far more clearly now - it's that hill directly above the white house to the left of the picture.

Fallow deer in the park.  There are normally around 100 of them.

There was a small herd up in the woods too, with young bachelor bucks keeping them company.

Newton House viewed from the slopes of the Deer Park.  I do miss volunteering there.

The sun was starting to drop as we walked through the woods - we had until 3 p.m. to get out, before we were padlocked in!  T did say she noticed a mobile number to phone should this happen though.

I kept dropping behind the other two as I stopped to take photos.

A slightly out of focus photo of the castle, high on its cliffs.

The view behind us.  I was saying how this sort of light was so wonderfully captured in Pre-Raphaelite paintings.

Sunburst through the trees, and lengthening shadows.

A last glimpse of the house through the trees.

The edge of the woodland gives a beautiful view up the Towy Valley.

The castle again.

Such wonderful late afternoon light.  I am pretty sure those are bat boxes on the trees.

There were fabulous reflections on the mill pond.   Here is a link to Dinefwr and some beautiful photographs to show you more of what you missed!

Hmm - I don't know what the red ball is below the sun but it appears reflected in the water!  Must be the Red Ball Ghostie!!

Finally, one of the many very mature oak trees in the park (there are some wonderful Maiden Oaks too, over a thousand years old.)  This one is probably a good 500 years of age.  Below, a last glimpse of the castle.