Saturday, 28 March 2020

Powis Castle




Perched high on a rock above the world-famous garden terraces, Powis Castle, originally built circa 1200, began life as the medieval fortress of the Welsh Princes of Powys, who held onto their kingdom despite the threats of their more powerful neighbours in Gwynedd and England.In 1587, Powis Castle was sold to Sir Edward Herbert who created the romantic long gallery, which is richly decorated with the coats of arms of his ancestors. In 1784, the marriage of Lady Henrietta Herbert and Edward Clive, son of Robert Clive, the conqueror of India, combined the Powis and Clive estates.In the early 20th Century, the 4th Earl of Powis and his wife, Lady Violet, redecorated much of the castle and brought the garden back to life, introducing new varieties from all over the world.The world-famous garden, overhung with clipped yews, shelters rare and tender plants is laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles. It retains its original lead statues and an orangery on the terraces.

Beautiful Bodnant


A beautiful double Hellebore from Ashwood Nurseries. Sadly this was to be the last visit to Bodnant Garden for the foreseeable future as the garden was closed to the public due to COVID 19.

Thursday, 12 March 2020

Ode to the Black Pearl


New Brighton's iconic 'Black Pearl' pirate ship has fallen victim to the elements after it was destroyed by high tides last night. Parts of the hugely popular driftwood attraction were swept away as strong winds yesterday and overnight. Built out of items from the beach, the ship was created by local artist Frank Lund and his friend Major Mace and attracted visitors from across the borough and beyond.

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

A Hunt for a Welsh Dragon.


Well technically a wooden dragon carved out of the trunk of a fallen oak tree and not really much of a hunt since the dragon is 25 ft tall with 12 ft wingspan looms out of foliage and trees on the A5 near Tregarth. Given his full title: Y Ddraig Dderw (The Oak Dragon) was carved by chain saw sculptor Simon O'Rourke in 2019.