Swindon Railway Museum

The man himself, Isambard.

A beautifully restored Castle Class locomotive.  Wonder if I 'spotted' this loco when I was a lad?

With the Lads at Bristol Zoo

The last time I was here was in 1973/4 with Sarah.

The highlight of the day, Noah 'go for it!!, Isaac, wwwwwwhat, me next?'

Cutest guy there, all feet and beak.

We three were the exhibits for a mo in the underwater tunnel.  Can't miss the white hat.

Westbury Court Gardens.

 The garden was laid out at the end of the 17 century,  this view from a 1712 engraving.

 The garden missed the attention of Capability, and is structurally much as back then, if a little clipped.  The house is no more, but the church with spire still sits there.

Also this viewing room which is in the top right of the engraving.

Pinetum Lodge, Highnam Woods

A log cabin was our stay for three nights.

In the midst of the  pinetum, a partly resorted 150 year old collection of pine trees. We had the run of the place to ourselves all 34 acres of meandering paths through the trees.

A bonus for the lads on there visit, a two level tree house

Guess who just beat granddad at chess.

San Fran House Update.

With the front of the house almost complete,

it is time to make a start on the interior.  And a very grand interior this is going to be.   The new 'floating' stairway.

Llandegfedd Reservoir

This is the seventh park area we have found with public access and, most importantly, with a  visitor's cafe.  They are all with in a 30 mins or so drive from our bung on the hill.

Spooky woods to walk through.

Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is sited in the grounds of Middleton Hall.  The servants quarters are pretty much all that is left of the original hall, after a major fire in the 1930's destroyed the main house.

Nelson Memorial centre circle.

 Forster's glass house,

housing a Mediterranean climate.

A Day Out West

Often the forecasters on the BBC are beaten by the Welsh weather.  Where has that rainy day gone?

 First into the tropics,

where the butterflies roam in numbers.

 Gek pondering why our garden is not so colour full

And such an amazing variety to admire.

The Big Cheese

Every year there is a big fair in Caerphilly castle when the area is open to all.

 Including the Tudors(?)

All the fun of the fair, and despite appearances, no rain.

Jenny

Jenny would have been 70 years old today,  the 28th July.

San Fran House

After days and days painting the myriad windows and doors bits and pieces,

finally, I have them mounted in the house walls.  I have gone for a subtle colour scheme over the more usual outrageous ones of the real San Fran houses. In any case, what  chance to go outrageous now that the house walls are gentle lavender? Yellow and orange windows and doors perhaps? Oh on, this is a house with style darling, Lavender Quartz floats my boat.

Pre Departure.

Paul came to stay with us for a night prior to his departure on the 10th Aug to join Polly in Sydney, a day spent in and around Caerphilly.  Enjoy the change of scene.

Garwnant

30 minutes drive from home, north into the Brecon Beacons.

 Here to walk the hills.

 Striding Gek ahead,

but got her own back.

Chatting to a couple of falconers back at the cafe.

I understood that this bird is a cross between a gyrfalcon and a saker, a very young bird on his first outing.

LLancaiach Fawr Craft Show

 Gek agreed to demo her miniature painting technique at the show.  Kept her out of mischief,

even though her chums Janet, Christine and Sian were only a couple of stalls away.

Penarth Day Out

The day was booked to visit the Penarth Quilt Show.  These Japanese fabrics and the way they had been worked were, for me, the standout items, the efforts of one Ms Davies.

 Italian lunch on the promenade with a view followed. 

The esplanade was very quiet for such a beautiful day. 

Anna and Jake

Wedded under a spreading oak tree.

The register document was a puzzle.

And this, believe it or not, is the honeymoon accommodation.  Post nuptials, this tiny boat will be launched into the sea for a Devon coastal cruise, a tent being the shelter for the nights sleep on board, or not. A get away with a difference, no?

Friends

Toby,

Barbara,

and Richard.  All here together for Anna and Jake's wedding.