Garden Path Walk

 Starting from the play room door,

turning left passing the strawberries,

through the rose arch,

going left and immediate right, past the veggie planters,

stopping to admire the roses,

before reaching the flower patch,

and going through the gate ,

to visit the front garden. Short but very sweet.

Foxglove

Multi-stemed with rich coloured flowers. 

Summer is Here.

Senetti

Begonia

Poppies

Tatties

Strawberries

Polly's Drone

 A new toy for taking beautiful images/videos.  Here a very unusual view of Balmoral Beach, Sydney.  You have to watch very carefully to see the waves ripple up the beach.

Mugdee vineyards.

Preview of Gek's 5th Solo Art Exhibition

 Northern Lights

The "Let There Be Light" show is scheduled for July at Llandough Hospial's gallery, with the proceeds from sales going to the health authority's  arts for health programme.

Moon Light

The Wasp Builder

A queen wasp attempted to make her nest attached to the inside of our garden chest. Unforunately it did not stick to the brown polymer which she mistook for wood.  Built from paper mashy she makes herself from wood fiber, I am amazed at the accuracy she achieved in creating  her eggs' individual cells, even in total darkness.  Astounding.

Art Auction

The painting, top centre, sold at the Llandough Hospital charity art auction this month. Watch this space for her up and coming solo exhibition there in July.

Finished and Mounted

 But too late for the exhibition.

Let There be light

 One of Gek's paintings for her July exhibition at a Cardiff  hospital in aid of charity.

An Evening In

Exhibition visit with Coldplay.

What a Differsnce a Day Makes.

All happly looking, smiling away,

miserable after an over night downpour. 

Garden Time Again

 Afternoon tea, Gek's baked bread, Mark's home-made gooseberry jam.

Holbein Stitch Embroidery

 

From saw to needle, patterns and pictures in No. 6 silk thread on 25 count evenweave.

http://www.gekart.net/Contemporary/Embroidery.html

to visit the show.

Calne

 A very comfy place to rest our heads for six nights.

It had only opened for business in February, every thing brand spanky new.

First walk out, a 4 mile round trek along a very quiet A4 to view the Cherhill White Horse, one of 8 in the area,  and the monument. This particular horse has been here since 1780.

Evenings treated us to lovely sunsets.

Winchester

The first day saw us in Winchester to visit Robert, a friend we made in UB, for a very nice Sunday roast, followed by a conducted tour of the city with our new friend Charlie.

A chat with street artist Don Lavelle from Chorley, Lancashire no less

Where has he gone?

A must see, in full view before the leaves draw the curtain.

Robert had recently returned from a spell working in Beijing with Faye and little Charlie, a lovely little lad who let me play with his train set. 

Avebury

First a visit to the manor house and gardens.

The house was empty and abandoned for 20 years until the BBC used it for a TV series, using each room to illustrate a different period from Tudor times.  

Here to demonstrate the 18th century's love of things Chinese.  Subsequently, the National Trust took over the the property, keeping the BBC's props.

Then out to the stone circle,

to find the biggest stone for a photo opportunity.

Barbury Castle

First occupied some 2500 years ago, and was then used during the Roman occupation of the area. Archaeological investigations at Barbury have shown evidence of a number of buildings, indicating a village  or military garrison at this time. (Wikipedia)

The camera cannot do justice to the 360 degree views from up here.

Avon and Kennett Canal

The Caen Hill locks, all 16 of them.

This young man, living on his boat by all appearances, had climbed the hill solo. Absolutely exhausting. 

Lacock

OK, a visit with nothing to do with you know who,

but to visit an abbey founded by the most powerful woman in the Middle Ages, Ela, on the 16th of April 1232. 

Her original cloister was demolished in the 1400's and replaced with what you see today.

The village is very cute, 

and after a stroll around we availed ourselves of a lunch at The Red Lion. 

Court Gardens

Well, no need to ask what this image reminds you of.

Whilst the house is not open for visitors, the garden is lovely to visit even in early spring.

Classic Car Museum

On our last day away, a visit to see something a little more up to date. The chap who booked us in is a Morgan enthusiast. A manditory chat ensued.

A pose for Gek.

My  first road going car, a black  Ford Pop 103E, bought in 1968.

Next, a Mini bought in 1971.

And the last one I could find, a Frog Eyed Spirit, bought in 1975.