A wildflower meadow

Quick photo update:

LOTS of orchids - Common Spotted and Lesser Spotted.

A posting came up on my Facebook page, saying that for one day only, you could view the amazing wildflower meadow at Plas Dinam, just beyond Newtown.  I am shortly off.  That should cheer me up. Woke at 4.45 again and had to catch up after breakfast (when I had nightmares).  Back later.

Day two of feeling upset

The Lark Ascending bursting into bloom.

 I slept badly, was up at 5 a.m., have worked flat out and reached the end of the day with the realization that Alfie is continuing to look slim in the flanks.  He drinks more than the others, so it's possibly kidney problems and he will have to be taken to the vet.  The last thing I needed.  I am still feeling low after yesterday, so first thing I ironed the top Keith liked me wearing, and have that on now.  Being here alone is always hard when I am down.  Keith and I were always doing things together, and until he died, I had only lived on my own for 6 weeks in my entire life.  As you can imagine, loneliness lurks.  I had to get out today, so as I had forgotten the stir fry sauce, and had a short list of other essentials, I took myself off to Llandod.  It was good to get out of the house, and I had a little car picnic and read some of my book.

Another pink and yellow Aquilegia.  Have lots of them now.  This one is in the little strip I have dug and planted in front of the holly hedge at the front of the property.

All my kids have phoned today after Gabby found out I was feeling low.  I have such a wonderful family.

Not a good day emotionally

 

William Egwad, bard, remembered on a display in Carmarthen.  He lived in our old house in the 15th C and was visited by bardic poet Lewis Glyn Cothi (1420 - 1490), and they compared poetry and genealogy together.

I got up early and went down for a wander round the Fleamarket at Carmarthen today. I knew it had gone downhill and wondered if it had recovered enough to do again, but I don't think so.  It was a shadow of what it used to be - although I think the on and off rain deterred the outside stalls and there were only about 10 vehicles outside.  Far fewer buyers too.  I shan't bother.  I didn't buy a thing, but went to see my friend Pam again (her husband had a stall inside) and we had a wander round together.  I chatted to quite a few old dealer friends who still had stalls there.  A couple of people didn't know Keith had died, so that was hard and got me on a bit of a downward spiral.  

A really beautiful Welsh quilt, but alas there was damage to the reverse (with the pansies) on and never would you be able to match those or even match that turkey red in plain, to effect a repair.  It had rotted through in an area perhaps 5" square.  It was priced too high to take a chance on repairing it (£180).  Gorgeous Paisley design the other side.

The nicest stall there.

I think she must buy in France.  I just can't find stuff like this here at the right price.  These three photos were all one stall.

Sorry for the blur, but the wind was blowing quite strongly.  There are lots of Ox Eye daisies down the central reservation of the dual carriageway but the Council will soon chop them all down, quoting road safety!  Yet they don't come into the carriageway at all.

View from the picnic area on the Sugarloaf.

Whilst in town, I did the bits of shopping I couldn't do here - strung tags (out of these), a sandwich lunch and some lemons and a stir fry pack from Aldi, two packets of Nasturtium for the tubs out the front from Charlies (current flowers in them will go over soon).  Then I went to get "Rosie" (their name for them) jeggings from Matalan, and came out with some comfy stretchy cotton leggings too, and Keith guided my hand towards an orangey-coral t-shirt and matching sweatshirt, so that's my clothes upgraded for the next year!  £38.  That is the same colour as the jumper I bought in there to wear on holiday and as a colour it suits me.

I spent the journey home trying not to cry.  It was the first time back at that Fleamarket since Keith had died. Yet when I got back there was a warm feline welcome, though the house seems so quiet now.  

Pam gave me back both the Lisa Jewell books I bought her (to read and return).  So I have started on one of those - Then She Was Gone.  Easy reading.

Back to watching a new-to-me Jason Statham film - A Working Man.  Keith and I loved watching his films together - saw some several times.

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend.  I'll put up pictures from our outing to Celtic Rainforest day in the Elan Valley tomorrow.