Chirk Statues

 I never seem to get the right composition with these statues at Chirk Castle.There are four bronze nymphs by Lucchesi in the grounds of Chirk Castle. The statues were installed in the gardens by Lord and Lady Howard de Walden.

Three Billy Goats Gruff

 

On a drive around the Great Orme, we were lucky to see these three Kashmiri billy goats high on the limestone cliffs.

Three billy goats live in a valley, all named "Gruff." There is very little grass in the valley, so they must cross a river to get to "sæter" (a mountain pasture) to graze and fatten themselves up. But under the bridge lives a fearsome and hideous troll (guarding the bridge) who kills and eats everyone who tries to cross.
The smallest billy goat goes first. The troll stops him and threatens to "gobble him up!" The little goat tells the troll he should wait for his big brother to cross, because he is larger and would make for a more gratifying feast. The greedy troll agrees and lets the smallest goat pass.
Then the medium-sized billy goat approaches the bridge. He is more cautious than his brother, but the troll stops him too. The second goat convinces the troll to wait for their eldest brother, the largest of the three, and the troll lets him pass as well.
Then the largest billy goat steps on to the bridge and meets the troll waiting to devour him. The largest goat challenges him to fight and then throws him into the water with his horns. The troll drowns in the stream, and from then on the bridge is safe. Then the three billy goats are able to use the bridge every day (to go to the meadow and eat grass in the rich fields around the summer farm in the hills), and live happily ever after.

The Acer Glade

 The acer glade at Bodnant was as spectacular as ever considering the high winds we had recently.

Autumn Arrives

 

Autumn arrives and all the stems and seed heads of the perennials turn to brown. Not as colourful as colour but the muted colour palette is still attractive especially if they are backlit.

Last Butterfly

 

Even with the micklemass daisies in full bloom there has never been more than two butterflies flitting around the round bed. This week it was the time of the red admiral.