Where did last week go?

Ye Gods.  What a week last week was.  First of all, a viewing on the house (they liked it but haven't been in touch with the agents - mind you, our phone line is still down so perhaps they have and we won't know until we phone the agents yet again.)  BT are apparently going to fix the line "by Wednesday . . ."  We shall see.

Then this sunshine calls for outdoor occupations (and leisure).  However, as we had a room full of "things" we have collected over the years and don't need when we eventually DO move, we needed to tart some of them up for yesterday's Antiques Fair and Fleamarket. We didn't sell the two chairs though, which is a shame as they take up so much room in the car and are difficult to pack around.

Our eldest daughter is coming home today for a few days to recharge her batteries.  It will be LOVELY.

So, finally, now we have broadband back (though no phone line), the rest of the photographs from last week's walk:

Once again, photos are taking forever to load, so I shall return later and add the last few. 

A horsey walk

This beautiful weather is there to be enjoyed and after all that tidying and cleaning and gardening, I decided to go for a walk yesterday.  Down the hill and cross the bridge . . .

Along the lane where the river foams over the rocks by the Mill. . . .  And then I met our neighbour with the TBs, just bringing one back from being scanned.  Come and see this years foals, he said, so I hopped in and we drove back the way I had just walked . . .

Cute or what?

Lunch time . . .

This mare is dam of a couple of promising youngsters on the racecourse.

They were just pausing for breath here after a canter round.

Half the brood mare band.

My internet connection won't load any more photos - I've tried 5 times.  I will have to do the rest of my walk later on.

I hope I haven't misled you all . . .

I hope I haven't misled anyone over the previous photo as that was taken at Tretower Court last week and isn't our house (much as we'd love it to be!!)

Our house looking back across the wildlife pond.

The kitchen inglenook down in the Dairy, which was mum's home.

Anyway, they've not been yet as they were delayed, so we have to wait until teatime . . .

What do you need . . .

when you are on your hunkers with tiredness and just want to sit in the sun with a good book?

Yup, you've got it.  A house viewing!   Arrrrrrrrrrrrgh.  PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE let them buy it.  They're coming all the way from London . . .  this must look like heaven on earth.

"I told you I was ill . . ."

So said Spike Milligan, whose epitaph has just been voted top in a recent poll of famous last words.

I might say the same myself at the moment as I am back on anti-biotics as my chest isn't at all good, and feeling bushed as I only slept for 2 hours last night.  Sigh.

Anyway, hopefully I'll soon be back to normal.  Meanwhile, another photo from Tretower Court - the wild flower meadow.

A Day Out - Part 1

Yesterday we had a much-needed day out checking out, firstly, the Fleamarket at Abergavenny. 

Just a swift internal photograph.  There were LOTS of different stands and we browsed very slowly and enjoyably.

There was a sheep market on too.  Lots of pens of sheep from farms all around the area, and quite a few buyers as well.

The Blorenge, above as viewed from the castle at Abergavanny.  We were there too early to look inside the castle/museum, but we have been there before so left that for another day out.  The Blorenge has a summit height of 561m (1841 feet), and overlooks the Usk Valley in Monmouthshire.  The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal hugs its flanks, and used to carry coal.

Harry Llewellyn's famous showjumper Foxhunter (who won the only Gold for Britain in the 1952 Olympics) is buried close to the Blaenavn to Llanover road (a car park was sited there in his honour.)  I remember Foxhunter (being a horse-mad kid) - he had a slit in his ear from an accident as a young horse.  And couldn't he JUMP . . .

If you want ore scenery, HERE is a link to a photo gallery of wonderful photos taken from the Blorenge Mountain.

 

I "think" this is the Blorenge as viewed sideways on from White Castle, which was our next port of call.  I have been there before, but my husband hadn't, so we took our time wandering round and relaxing.  As you will see, I was brave enough to climb up to the top of the tower - though I chickened out at first (I get vertigo).

The approach to the castle is over the moat, which provides a wonderful habitat for wildlife.

View of the outer walls from inside the central courtyard.  It was originally known as Llantilio Castle and indeed, is situated near Llantilio Crossenny.  The Welsh name for it was Castell Gwyn, taken from a leader in Norman times called Gwyn ap Gwaethfoed.  I believe he was a High Prince or King of Cardiganshire who died 1047 (but he was a long way from home here).  Legend has it that he showed great fearlessness when summoned by the Saxons to Chester when he refused to pay homage by rowing King Edgar up "the Dee.  He stated "Let him be feared who fears not death."  In later life he entered a Monastery at Llanwit Major (near Cardiff).  But I digress . . .

HERE is a link to the castle's history in full, and further photographs.

The wretched phone line is playing up no end - since BT came and replaced a pole t'other side of lane.  It won't load photos at present, so I will have to finish this off later.

The flowers of the field . . .

I have taken a leaf out of Morning Minion's book today and taken a walk down the hill and then around my garden, camera in hand.  So this is what is blooming this occasionally-sunny May day!  Firstly, Red Campion, with Stitchwort in the background.

Some slightly out-of-focus Cow Parsley - the breeze was blowing it as I tried to photograph the blooms.

Jack-by-the-hedge, well-grown now and soon to put out seed.

By the side of the fast-flowing Perrott stream, Marsh Marigolds still hold up their golden faces to the sun.

Ramsons of course - we have masses round here.  Down on the sunny bank by the Chapel, however, they have "gorn over" and their yellowing leaves lie flacid on the bankside.

Bluebells are still flowering happily, here with Stitchwort again and some fern fronds just unfurling.

You should just be able to see a little Red Damselfly, newly-hatched, on the leaf to the right of where the little stick forks.

Which leads us nicely to my wildlife pond . . . happy sunbathing tadpoles . . .

If you look closely, there IS a newt, sunbathing, too. Just above the letter "t" in "sunbathing". You can see his tail and then follow it forward. I hope you can double click and enlarge the photos on your computer. Mine doesn't seem to do it for me anymore.

 
Finally, a general view of the pond.