Blooming Marvellous

-
A trip to Bodnant Garden in North Wales has been on our wish list since we began to reclaim our overgrown garden. After all, we reason, any plant that can thrive in the foothills of Snowdonia must stand a fair chance of surviving our hilly, windy site overlooking Cardigan Bay. My expectations aren’t high so the admission price makes me draw a sharp breath for what I’m guessing will be a line up of the usual floral suspects, but I very quickly realise what a magical garden Bodnant is. It’s true there are some wonderful and exotic specimen trees and shrubs, but as we wander round looking at some glorious planting I start to feel much more hopeful about what we can achieve in our very ordinary plot (albeit without a team of hard-working gardeners and volunteers). It’s a truly uplifting and inspiring visit and the weather is perfect too.







This group of day lilies caught my eye.
I'm finally convinced that a well-chosen grass looks spectacular!

Hot planting by a cool pool.

Looks who's through the archway.

I’ve found a stonking Travelzoo bargain in the area but when we check into Carden Park Hotel, I’m dismayed to find a noisy conference in full swing just below our window and wonder if that’s why we’ve got such a good deal. We are greatly cheered up when, a few minutes later, the whole circus packs up and peace descends. Our stay is brilliant; polite friendly staff, a very relaxing atmosphere, fabulous food and a good swimming pool to work off all those extra calories.


The following afternoon it’s my dear school friend Julia’s birthday celebration where I make up one of her ‘Sweet Sixteen’, the women Julia says are special to her for their association with different aspects of her life. Julia’s very kindly treating us to afternoon tea at the DoubleTree by Hilton. It’s a lovely occasion and Julia’s thoughtful, moving and eloquent speech brings tears to my eyes… but Julia, we are the lucky ones to have you in our lives. Thank you!

And from one celebration to another… my younger stepson, Tom, and his fiancee Amey will be getting married this weekend. Try to relax, you two, and enjoy every moment - time flies.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Roman Holiday

-
Image
Unfamiliar sounds drift up through the open shutters from the narrow street below; excited Italian voices exchanging greetings, motor scooters sliding over the cobbles and city cars squeezing into non-existent parking spaces. It’s my birthday and I’ve woken up in a dusky pink room with flocked walls, gilt mirrors and I’m in ROME! It’s wonderful! After years of yearning to visit Italy I’ve made it; we’re here! First, I open my birthday cards and have a good cry because everyone’s been so kind to me, then we head up for breakfast in the rooftop restaurant with its amazing panoramic views across the city.


There’s rain in the air so we book a bus tour so we can get a sense of the place. As we pass the Colosseum the commentary dryly informs us of the thousands of animals killed here, the 98% mortality rate for gladiators and then observes that the drink enjoyed by spectators would probably be distasteful to modern palates. What? Only the drink?

We hop off at the beautiful Ponte Sant…
Read more

Ten Years On. Cardiff HM 2018

-
Image
In ten weeks time - barring any disasters - I’ll be taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon 2018, ten years since I ran my first half marathon which was also in Cardiff. I finished that race in floods of tears and begged everyone never to let me put myself through such a tough challenge ever again. And then I got home and completed the entry for my next half marathon.

Over the last ten years, our family has grown...



My writing dreams came true.

And like everyone else we’ve had the usual share of trials and tribulations.

But running, and racing, has become part of my life; it keeps me sane and keeps me fit. Lacing up a pair of running shoes and getting outside was probably the biggest favour I ever did for myself. Now I’m asking all of you to do a favour for someone else.

My dad would have been thrilled by the additions to the family - adults and babies - but he never got to meet them. He never knew that I became a published author. He wasn’t there to give me a hug and tell me thi…
Read more

New Beginnings: A Garden Uncovered, A Cover Revealed.

-
Image
No winter lasts forever… and nor, thank goodness, does every lurgy. After ten weeks of wondering if I’ll stop coughing, the infection loses its grip and I’m well enough to tackle my first Park Run with Helen in the beautiful grounds at Llanerchaeron. Park Run, of course, is not a race but it doesn’t stop Helen and I blatting along each week in pursuit of new PBs.

Tom and I have both been busy at work. One week there’s a strange juxtaposition when I proofread my novella and then check Tom’s draft thesis! I begin ‘Cyborg Music:A Future Musicotechnographic Aesthetic’ with some trepidation about how I’ll cope with the deep philosophical concepts but by the end I’m fully on board and bursting with pride. Tom makes his final amendments and takes three copies to the post office where he pays a whopping £15 to send it on its way. Now ‘all’ he has to do is sit back and wait for the date of his Viva Voce…

Lily’s second baby is due… ooh… tomorrow, so excitement’s running high here and we both j…
Read more