Tuesday 28 June 2011

The Letter X for ABC Wednesday



X marks the spot




X is for a kiss

X is eXhiliarating, eXasperating , X is eXciting - eXtraordinary - and eXtrovert.



We have Xmas - X boxes - and Xrays



How about a trip to EXeter - OXford - or Oxwich



We could eXfoliate - have eXtensions - and of course eXercise to the Extreme to get that X factor



We could search for EXcalibur and listen to tales of old



But we must eXperiment to eXtend our eXperiences

What an eXtravaganza

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Abc Wednesday and W is for Wales



W is for Wales - the home of my ancestors - with its incredible mountain and coastal scenery - above the sun catches the waves at Aberfforest bay at sundown

Wales is a land of myths and legends with castles and poets and tales of fearsome dragons




The sunsets at Abereiddy are magnificent and wonderful to watch - we stayed a while ago in a cottage pretty much on the beach and gazed most evenings at the sun slipping down below the horizon




Treasures always to find on the coastal path a myriad of spring flowers - and of course hidden away secretly in the mountain range - the Snowdon Lily - which I have not seen - but I live in hope! I have attached a pic that I found on the web - this plant lives high in the mountains on shady ledges - likes cool misty conditions and this is the only place it grows in the British Isles

Wildlife supporters are desperately trying to save one of the finest views in Snowdonia Wales - the national trust has to raise £1 million to save Llyndy Isaf Farm - this includes the beautiful Llyn Dinas lakes (short video in the side panel) I hope!

The mountains that tower over the lakes are steeped in mythology , holding secrets and many a tale - of how a raging battle took place between a white dragon - which represented the Saxon invaders - and a red dragon - which represented Wales - the red dragon won and the white dragon was banished into the lake - the red dragon became the the national emblem of Wales.

Tuesday 14 June 2011

V is for Violets and Violas

Vibrant and Versatile they vary in variety adding valuable colour to borders, pots and hedgerows.This is my contribution to ABC Wednesday to celebrate the letter V



Viola odorata - the wild violet


Folklore:

The ancient greeks considered the violet a symbol of fertility and love,so they used it in love potions

Midsummer Night's Dream

I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows
Where oxslips and the nodding violet grows
Quite over canopied with luscious woodbine
With sweet muskroses ,and with eglantine
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night
Lull'd in these flowers dances and delights
And there the snake throws her enamell'd skin,
Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in.

William Shakespeare





New additions to my garden - Viola Martin - Spider - Victoria's Blush - bought from a local plant fair at Hodnet Hall

Gardeners tip given to me on that day - always grow violas in deep pots - to give maximum root space and clip back hard in September to encourage new healthy growth.

Friday 10 June 2011

Classic Cars and Classic Dogs




What better to do on a summers' evening than to cruise along to a classic car rally.




The annual rally was held at the Wharf Tavern at Cheswardine in Shropshire alongside of the Shropshire Union Canal.





A balmy evening - boats on the canal and classic cars everywhere







It was a fun night for all - I think you will agree that these dogs appear to be as proud of their cars as their owners!

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Up Up and away




Up Up and away, what better than a balloon flight to celebrate the letter U.




This balloon silently moves over the Shropshire countryside, on a misty morning - the Stiperstones range waking up beneath.



Upside down - well goodness me I hope not, but I must admit this thought passed through my mind when I went 'up up and away'from Ludlow Castle to mark a major milestone in my life.

That's me in the blue corner - and up up and away and a birds eye view of the castle - a perfect day - the flight ended with a glass of champagne in a corn field after quite a bumpy landing! -

Wednesday 1 June 2011

T is for Tramway




It,s ABC Wednesday and T is for Tram - the Llandudno Tram in North Wales

The Tram Travels along Tracks from the Tram Station to the Top of the Great Orme at Llandudno



We visited a few months back and experienced this exhiliarting ride - the Great Orme Towers above Llandudno an old Victorian seaside Town.

The Orme is home to its own copper mine and also the wild khasmir goats roam the hillsides and if you are lucky you may catch sight of them

There are Tremendous views of the Town from the Tram as you Travel To The Top Tram station




A sculpture of a wild goat stands proudly close to the summit for all to see



To catch a glimpse of the real thing is of course more special.

For the record the Tram is the UK's longest standing cable hauled Tramway- it has been in operation since 1902