Bluebells

[Kath Mulligan]

I know the bluebells are probably going to be two/three weeks late this year because of the cold winter and spring, but I picked up a leaflet in our local library yesterday for this place which is about an hour's drive from us, so I think Elizabeth and I will be paying it a visit next month with our cameras. She has booked the Friday off after Claire's birthday so that would be a good time to go. http://www.bluebellwoodsofyoxalllodge.com/index.html

Fingers crossed for a decent day. Just been reading on BBC Cornwall website that the organisers of Helston Flora Day and Padstow Obby Oss Day are worried about the late flowering as they use lots of bluebells in their street decorations.

Kath

[adesmith]

That looks lovely Kath. We usually go for a walk on Lodge Hill which is just the other side of the river from us because it has a carpet of bluebells in the woods. I wonder when they will be out?

[jane jackson]

Looks lovely Kath. The tulips are flowering well now so that's a bit more cheer in the garden along with the daffs. It's been a glorious day here with the sea looking wonderfully blue. There was a lake at Sennen this morning with the way the tide had left the sand, all the high banks of sand had smoothed out. I've potted up my dahlias and put them in the mini greenhouse along with a few of the tomato plants I've grown from seed indoors. I've kept some inside just in case the plastic combined with fleece doesn't keep them warm enough. Lovely to be gardening again.

[gloria townsin]

Not a peep of tulips here Jane......some nice cushions of polys though, nice big fact pillows in fact. Our flowering cherry in the back garden is breaking well with some flowers right out, but sadly it's one that doesn't last more than a week or two before it's all gone and the tree itself is pretty lack lustre afterwards. It seems to exist purely for that short time, but it's in a good position in the garden and was here when we arrived. Blubells will be a good way off yet I suspect.

[Liz]

It was such beautiful weather here today that John and I decided to do something quite spur of the moment - we went to the sea-side!

We finished up around Harlech, had a picnic overlooking our favourite mountain waterfalls and pools and then a walk along the beach and finished up with fish and chips overlooking the harbour in Barmouth - wonderful.

AND we saw our first two swallows of the summer - you might already have seen them flying up over Cornwall Jane?

I sometimes think its much better to do things unexpectedly, there was no time to fuss about what to take or worry about the weather being right - we must do it more often!

[adesmith]

That sounds like a wonderful day Liz! The unexpected, spur of the moment trips are often the best. Fish and chips by the seaside - heaven!

You reminded me that when Rupert and I went for a walk the other day at Usk, we saw some birds swooping down over the river and generally just doing aerial acrobatics. They had V like tails. I wonder if they were swallows? I guess they were looking for insects over the water.

[Sybille Weber]

This brings back lovely memories of several holidays we spent on a farm outside Dyffryn Ardudwy (between Barmouth and Harlech), Liz.
We also used to have a favourite waterfall in the area. It was by the little lake Llyn Cwm Bychan. There was a path up the hill beside a high waterfall. At the top of the hill there was a plain with wild moorland where the little river formed little ponds and there were several little waterfalls as well. To the south you had a view of Moelfre (the hill by the farm where we stayed) and to the northwest you looked across the sea to the Lleyn Peninsula. It was a really beautiful place, a bit out of this world. We didn't meet a single person there. - Could it be the same place that you are referring to?
How lovely to see the first swallows, too! Haven't seen any around here so far, but then we don't see many around here in town. Will have to check whether any have arrived at the riding stables yet where we used to keep our horse. I usually see the first ones there. Our swifts usually arrive back around April 20th. So that's not too long to go. Hope they won't arrive too early. We have had lovely weather for a few days now - 21 degr. and sunshine, but they have forecast cool unsettled weather as from the weekend which would not be too good for them after their long journey back from Africa.

[gloria townsin]

Good for you Liz........as you say often the best and most enjoyable things come out of just doing something off the cuff.

[jane jackson]

Our flowering cherry in the back garden is breaking well with some flowers right out, but sadly it's one that doesn't last more than a week or two before it's all gone and the tree itself is pretty lack lustre afterwards. It seems to exist purely for that short time, but it's in a good position in the garden and was here when we arrived..

There was a white flowering cherry tree here when we moved but it was very tall and blocked out the sun from the seating area on summer afternoons. It too only had blossom for 2 weeks so however lovely that was we decided to cut the branches down leaving the trunk with about 6 very thick branches above it about about 3 ft long. This made it look a bit artistic and we planted 2 Montana Clematis in a raised circular bed we created around the bottom of the trunk with that wooden edging you can buy 2 ft high. Last year the flowers on the clematis were really great and lasted so much longer than the cherry and they're full of buds now which should burst through soon especially if the next few days are as good as the forecast. There are small red tulips and miniture daffs flowering around it at the moment.

PS. Don't tell Colleen that we cut branches off a tree!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jane jackson]

It was such beautiful weather here today that John and I decided to do something quite spur of the moment - we went to the sea-side!


AND we saw our first two swallows of the summer - you might already have seen them flying up over Cornwall Jane?

I sometimes think its much better to do things unexpectedly, there was no time to fuss about what to take or worry about the weather being right - we must do it more often!

What a wonderful way to spend your day Liz, glad you had a great time. I haven't noticed any swallows yet here but maybe John and Mim have. We used to get them nesting in our stables on Exmoor, flying in and out regardless of the horses with their heads over the doors. They're not so obvious around where we live now. Plenty of herring gulls though, there were 6 on the roof this morning with 2 fighting so perhaps they were males in competition.

[Liz]

This brings back lovely memories of several holidays we spent on a farm outside Dyffryn Ardudwy (between Barmouth and Harlech), Liz.
We also used to have a favourite waterfall in the area. It was by the little lake Llyn Cwm Bychan. There was a path up the hill beside a high waterfall. At the top of the hill there was a plain with wild moorland where the little river formed little ponds and there were several little waterfalls as well. To the south you had a view of Moelfre (the hill by the farm where we stayed) and to the northwest you looked across the sea to the Lleyn Peninsula. It was a really beautiful place, a bit out of this world. We didn't meet a single person there. - Could it be the same place that you are referring to?
How lovely to see the first swallows, too! Haven't seen any around here so far, but then we don't see many around here in town. Will have to check whether any have arrived at the riding stables yet where we used to keep our horse. I usually see the first ones there. Our swifts usually arrive back around April 20th. So that's not too long to go. Hope they won't arrive too early. We have had lovely weather for a few days now - 21 degr. and sunshine, but they have forecast cool unsettled weather as from the weekend which would not be too good for them after their long journey back from Africa.

I know exactly where you mean Sybille - we've also stayed on a farm there, maybe the same one!
The pools may well be the same as well, its a truly magical place to be, I've spent many happy hours there just sitting quietly experiencing the beauty of the place.
I have some photos that I took three years back in the summer - I'll post them on here and you can think back to the happy times you've spent there.

When my girls were little I taught them to swim in the mountain pools, it was very safe, not too far between the rocks on the edge of the pools and well in their depth! Much safer than the sea.

You were mentioning Porth Chapel Adrian, its our favourite beach, I really love it there - yes the sea can be amazingly fierce. There are some photos in my album.

After my lovely day out yesterday its back to reality today, office work this morning but hopefully back on the garden this afternoon to plant my main crop potatoes.

[Annette]

Its a beautiful day here, really sunny and warm. I have just been completing my spring task, putting up electric fencing so that the horses cannot eat all the lovely spring grass and put on too much weight !.

We were in North Cornwall last week, the weather had to be seen to be believed but we still had a great holiday with the two adult dogs and the puppy. The sea condition was incredible with waves in our little cove that I would never have believed possible, a combination of high winds and a full moon I think.

We didn't see any swallows in Cornwall but we do have a lonely one here that arrived at the weekend. He keeps flying in and out of the stable chattering away. I just had a look at the bluebells in the garden, they look at least a couple of weeks from flowering.

[gloria townsin]

That's quite a good idea Jane and if we were staying might well consider it, Clematis do look lovely scrambling over trees and fences. It's just a shame that is only looks really pretty for such a short while, but it is fairly small and it has an old, established rambling rose behind it which will pick it up a bit later on.

So pleased you had a good holiday Annette. The weather is so unsettled at the best of times and I think you often just have to enjoy yourself whatever. Apart from Memorial Sunday's walk to Oliver Land and the afternoon of the AGM, I got wet every day we were there. What can you do? Nothing, just run in and out of the rain and dry off - my dogs didn't do much walking, not that they are that keen, because their coats would have been soaked right through and a wet Shih Tzu is not easy to keep drying off without all the paraphanalia I keep at home.
Yes the grass is coming through and will be lethal for little ponies that get laminitis........Derek had to watch the donkeys at this time of year, in fact I think it was Fred who had a touch of it once. Very painful and can have lasting effects. If only they would realise when they should stop eating.

[Liz]

Yes laminitis is a horrible thing to nurse a horse through- or a donkey for that matter!

I've often wondered why it is that wild horses don't get it when the spring grass comes through - I'm sure all you horse experts will know?

[Sybille Weber]

I know exactly where you mean Sybille - we've also stayed on a farm there, maybe the same one!
The pools may well be the same as well, its a truly magical place to be, I've spent many happy hours there just sitting quietly experiencing the beauty of the place.
I have some photos that I took three years back in the summer - I'll post them on here and you can think back to the happy times you've spent there.

When my girls were little I taught them to swim in the mountain pools, it was very safe, not too far between the rocks on the edge of the pools and well in their depth! Much safer than the sea..................


Thanks for posting the pictures, Liz. The place looked similar indeed although it was a bit more open when we went, but then this was about 20 years ago.
The farm where we stayed was 'Byrdir', and it was lovely, also the couple who used to do bed and breakfast there at the time were just wonderful people. We still hear from them at Christmas. Meanwhile the next generation has taken over but the farm looks as nice as ever. (www.byrdir.co.uk (http://www.byrdir.co.uk))

[gloria townsin]

I think the reason wild horses don't appear to suffer from laminitis is because usually they are grazing poor, scrubby grassland and the fact that they are moving all the time from one place to another means they don't just stand and eat themselves silly. With the first flush of grass there will be a few giddy horses and ponies around. I'm sure they will all be happy with some nice fresh grass to graze.....they call it 'Dr Grass' don't they?

[colleen]

Speaking of donkeys I think of Susie who I went to visit what a character they love her really independent first in the barn to eat when I visited she was in the field and then watched her in the barn wouldnt let anyone get ahead of her when they were fed What a lovely place Sidmouth is. Susie looked very healthy I think is is around 29 now but donkeys live long lives.

[Liz]

Thanks for posting the pictures, Liz. The place looked similar indeed although it was a bit more open when we went, but then this was about 20 years ago.
The farm where we stayed was 'Byrdir', and it was lovely, also the couple who used to do bed and breakfast there at the time were just wonderful people. We still hear from them at Christmas. Meanwhile the next generation has taken over but the farm looks as nice as ever. (www.byrdir.co.uk (http://www.byrdir.co.uk))

Yes we have stayed at Byrdir Sybille, as you say its a lovely place and the views are magnificent. I have a feeling I know where the pools are that you spoke of - when you turn at the side of the Queen Victoria hotel you drive up the road for about 2 miles and then turn right and cross a bridge. The road takes you to field where you can park and series of waterfalls. At the top its open moorland and huge rock slabs which were gouged almost smooth during the times of the glaciers. Its a strange other world sort of place, very different from anywhere else I know.

Unfortunately I haven't got any photos to show you but next time we go.......

[Sybille Weber]

What a coincidence, Liz, that you stayed at Byrdir, too. Isn't it a small world indeed? Did you just meet the young couple who have taken over the farm, or did you also meet Ifan and Anne who used to work the land and do the bed and breakfast business before? Although their children have taken over they still lived there, too, when we last heard from them.
Yes, the moorland place with the waterfalls you describe is exactly where we went. Will have to get out my old photos and transparencies and scan a few in when I get the time.

[Liz]

Yes Sybille its a small world!

We last stayed there around 10 years ago so I guess it was Ifan and Anne who were there then. Have to admit that its hard to remember as we've stayed in so many places since.

That area is our favourite next to Cornwall. The land scape is so stunning - I love the mountains and have to admit that I prefer the rugged beauty of Snowdonia to inland Cornwall (sorry everyone !!!!!) but of course there is absolutely nowhere I'd rather be than the Cornish coast!

[Kath Mulligan]

Yes Sybille its a small world!


That area is our favourite next to Cornwall. The land scape is so stunning - I love the mountains and have to admit that I prefer the rugged beauty of Snowdonia to inland Cornwall (sorry everyone !!!!!) but of course there is absolutely nowhere I'd rather be than the Cornish coast!

Don't think you can really compare inland Cornwall with Snowdonia, Liz because Cornwall only has hills not mountains. I agree with you that Snowdonia is beautiful and probably appeals to me, coming from the Peak District. I love my hills! My favourite area for spectacular mountain scenery though has to be the Scottish Highlands - completely awe-inspiring grandeur. And abroad, I was in seventh heaven in Switzerland. Standing at the top of a mountain pass in scorching hot July sun with snow all around us was a surreal experience, especially when some skiers trudged past!!

Kath

[jane jackson]

. Standing at the top of a mountain pass in scorching hot July sun with snow all around us was a surreal experience, especially when some skiers trudged past!!

Kath

Thought you'd had enough of snow for this year Kath!!!!!!!! It must be this gorgeous Spring sunshine that's made you forget your snowy trials and tribulations and have fonder memories of Swiss snow. Of course you were on holiday then too.

[Kath Mulligan]

Thought you'd had enough of snow for this year Kath!!!!!!!! It must be this gorgeous Spring sunshine that's made you forget your snowy trials and tribulations and have fonder memories of Swiss snow. Of course you were on holiday then too.

You'd think so, wouldn't you?!!! But the Swiss snow wasn't on the roads so I didn't have to slip and slither through it, and somehow it looked totally different to English snow. Think there is a photo of Elizabeth and me there in my old pics album on Facebook.

Kath