Thursday 12 August 2021

Lunch on Hay Bluff

 

This post will be mostly photos, as I've had a busy week and need to try and crack on out in the garden and do some tidying up.  We have had a busy two days with the carpenter here fixing the sash windows, which needed new sash cords.  I also have a long pole with brass hook which opens and shuts the stair landing windows as they are too high up to do by hand.  I feel like I'm back at school only this time I'VE got the window pole and not the teacher or her favourite pupil!  No point in taking photos as they still look the same, only they open now!  I have lots of caulking, rubbing-down and painting to do on wet autumn days . . .


Anyway today we drove up to Hay Bluff after we'd been down the town, and sat and ate a patisserie pastry whilst we looked at the amazing view.



I have been gardening a little since getting home.  I was just having a cuppa (needing a rest) and we had a call from the Lady of the Manor, with an invitation to the Annual Festival Service at our little church (it opens just once a year, specially for this) and tea and cake at their house afterwards.  All the parish goes. Of course, it clashes with the only Fair we were going to do this summer . . .  Now, tell me WHY did I have to put my knickers and socks out to dry on the old clothes horses in the yard, and why was the (clean) cat litter tray by the front door?  She was trying to peer past into the kitchen (which was also not exactly tidy, the bit she could see.  Her granny used to live here and was a keen gardener - at least I have put lots of plants in so that may have swung the pendulum in my favour! Ah well, she saw us at our most basic!  We can only improve, hopefully!




A Puffball, about the size of an Orange.  Or perhaps it may be a large Earthball.  I think it's the former though.


Had I the energy (and indeed the right shoes on), I could have climbed to the top of Hay Bluff.  A cooler day perhaps . . .



Looking across to Pen-y-Fan.







Well, this won't do.  I have more gardening to do - presently cutting back the undergrowth on the Bank and trying to find the roses!  I treated myself to a new one today, to go in the big earthenware pot I got a couple of weeks back.  It's called Lili Marlene and is a deep red, so will go nicely with Tess, which the other side of the door.   I did buy an Autumn Crocus too, but thought I would just check if it was poisonous, before planting, and it's highly toxic to cats, dogs, people etc, so that will go back and be swopped for some Tulips instead.  I just had a "gut feeling", so just as well I followed it.

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos and such stunning views :) I am pleased you have finally had the windows done.

    I had to laugh at your description of the Lady of the Manor visit!!! Things like that always happen when unprepared! I am sure your flower planting pleased her.

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  2. I was mortified about the knickers as her husband came to join her! I am consoling myself with the fact that at least the litter tray was clean - and they didn't arrive when Tam and I were having a spat earlier on!!

    It's a relief to have the windows done, especially if there's a heatwave arriving shortly. I want to crack on with the decorating now and start getting the house together. We still feel a bit like we're camping out.

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  3. My goodness that puff ball is huge!!!

    Glad all the windows are done.

    God bless.

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    1. It's quite a novelty to be able to open them now. Just one problem - the internal shutters on Tam's window don't stay shut now so we have to get a couple of small bolts today and fix that problem.

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  4. I've followed your blog for many years without commenting. Today though when I read about Lili Marlene I just had to leave a comment. I have a Lili Marlene and it has always been a real show-stopper - loads of large flowers and such a wonderful velvety red. I have always loved the beautiful pictures you put on your blog of the former area where you lived and now the ones around your current home. We also love the pictures of your cats and are pleased that they have settled in so well.
    Wendy (Wales)

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    1. Hi Wendy in Wales - please keep commenting. It's nice to have "neighbours" who comment - you understand my pain at times, I am sure, with Welsh weather and happenings. I am sure I made the right choice with Lili Marlene. She is going in the big pot today - has plenty of buds to flower too, so I am glad that I didn't opt for any of the other contenders. I'd never seen Lili Marlene at any other garden centre.

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  5. Cracking up at your misfortune with the Lady of the Manor. I feel your pain, worse is that I know your pain. I think it's a sub section of Sod's Law.

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    1. Definitely a sub-section of Sod's Law RP! Ah well. She told me that our sitting room, with the big French windows, used to be the garage here and this was the chauffeur's house - I presume back in the 20s or 30s.

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  6. I'm envisioning Audrey (Penelope Keith) swinging by for a visit...To The Manor Born. Lol

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    1. Not too far off the type!! I will have to prove I scrub up tidy!

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  7. Lovely views. I wish I lived somewhere a bit more hilly.

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    1. There are plenty of campsites here Meanqueen. The walking is stupendous! Just miles and miles and miles in every direction and incredible views. We have long distance routes too - Offa's Dyke Path, the Wye Valley Way, Glyndwr's Way, Cambrian Way, plus coastal paths and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Wales is so special.

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