A subject for photography

The sun was shining again today so we took George to Clyne Gardens. It's only down the road but the walk around the garden involves a long slow climb so we drove there. For George's benefit I hasten to add! We didn't want him worn out before we got there. 

A lovely autumnal day.

George being bribed with treats.

A photography class was there on a field trip and several of them took photos of George. Of course.

Where's Wally? I mean Husband!

And a few flowers remaining.

This is an Indian Chestnut tree.

And these are its 'conkers'. Like mini pears. 

'Mummy!'

'These people who sit talking to themselves do look silly.'
As I say this I realise that the man is in fact talking on his phone while I am the one talking to myself.

I'd thought doing some yesterday morning but then Nuora said they were going to Blackpill and did I want to join them. Let's see, cleaning the bathroom or playing with GrandSon4? No competition. 

Nuora planned on cycling from Mumbles so I walked down to meet them at Blackpill. Time passed and I began to wonder if I'd missed them somehow. I took lots of photos to pass my time and sat in the sunshine for a while.

I didn't have a watch so I didn't know how late they were but it seemed quite a long time I'd been waiting. I also had no means of contacting them or of them contacting me. It's times like these that make me think, 'I really should carry my phone on me.'

They turned up. Nuora had had to repair a flat tyre and then fight against a surprisingly strong wind. And then we had fun.

These michelmas daisies in Clyne Gardens were positively humming with busy bees. I stuck my head in hoping one of them would recognise me and say, 'Mummy,' but they didn't.

Clyne not completely in Bloom

So, we walked in Clyne. It's a bit late coming into bloom this year. Unless it was early and I missed it. Normally in May the council puts up lots of poster advertising Clyne in Bloom but I've not seen any this year, however, I did notice the marquees were up for teas and Sunday afternoon music.

Bluebells

My favourite tree

Red blooms - I'm hot on horticulture

Wild garlic

Date Day Take 2

Clyne Gardens with only a very light drizzle now and again.

The magnificent tree is an Indian Horse Chestnut.

Many of the trees and plants were brought from around the world to Clyne by Admiral Vivian, a member of the family that owned Clyne Castle and its grounds, and made their money in the thriving copper industry in the Swansea Valley. (Yes, the same industry that polluted the sea and the valley itself.)  In May Clyne is officially In Bloom as that's when the many rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best. Now the gardens's colours are more muted but just as lovely. And not so crowded.

Walking in the Med

A lovely walk yesterday through Clyne woods and into Clyne Gardens.

The smell from the orange blossom, I think, to the right was absolutely heavenly. I could have been walking in the south of France.

When I was about 13 my mother planted an orange blossom tree in the garden so 'you can carry some blossom on your wedding day.' She died long before I was married but I made sure some of the orange blossom from the garden was included in my bouquet.

Today the smell was less pleasant or would have been had I gone close enough to sniff the valerian, or as we used to know it, the one that smells of cat pee.

That was on Mumbles Hill. I said, 'Look George, loads of rabbit poo. Go find a bunny!'

He gave me his 'Seriously? In this heat,' look. But we both know he has no idea how to hunt rabbits. Or even what a rabbit is.

Not quite in bloom yet

We had a lovely walk through the secret bluebell woods and then into Clyne Gardens today. It's not 'In Bloom' until next month but some of the rhododendrons don't know that!

Wild garlic

Frilly tulip