Duffryn Gardens

Duffryn Gardens is just out of Cardiff on the A48 heading West.  Its a place where we used to go as a family but then it was Council owned and was used for Craft Fairs and theatre groups put on Summer shows.  It has now been passed to the National Trust and is gradually being restored, I suspect that the cost of this restoration was the main reason why it was given to the N T.

Like most NT places it has excellent tea rooms so its also a favourite stop off place when cycling.

Here's the link 

Its also used for educational purposes and the current theme was W W l.  in one of the rooms a WWl trench had been recreated. 

Here's the artists signature.

For some reason this was always a favourite when we brought the kids.

Bee's just love Aliums.

This border has been decorated with various Sempervivum.

Not one....but two.

 Its the scale of these Edwardian gardens that amaze me and the grandeur of the trees.   but this was how a lot of the people who lived in this style took their exercise, by having a stroll around the gardens and no doubt a word with the gardener if something was out of place.

Following the WWl theme they have created an allotment.

This reminded me of my allotment shed and having a cuppa when working on it.

The grand greenhouse is home to many plants, but when your wealth has come from coal heating these huge greenhouses wasn't an issue.

As always there is the fascination with orchids and there are a few varieties here.

 The Head Gardeners "office" 

No doubt the washing and stacking of these pots was a job for a trainee.

Cheltenham and the longest day.

 Lets start with the sunrise taken from the van window at about 4 am.

The weather for the whole of this little trip was glorious, sunny but not too hot and only a few cloudy spells, my sort of weather.

We came away for a few days to have a wander and also take a ride on the recently opened Gloucester and Warwickshire Steam Railway.

It runs from Cheltenham Racecourse to Broadway through some stunning Cotswold scenery.

Broadway is extremely popular with tourists as its a typical Cotswolds village, all the houses are very well kept and very expensive.  As is the whole of the Cotswolds when it comes to eating and having a cup of tea.  All very nice and good to look at but not my place to live even if I won the Lottery.

Unlike other Cotswold villages the main street is wide and I would guess the reason for the name.

On a walk into Cheltenham we had a wander around just to sample the grandeur of the Regency buildings.

This is the Pittsville Pump Rooms where George III and Queen Charlotte came to take the waters.  They are still being pumped but apparently taste foul.  It's open to the public so we had a look inside.

During its heyday and orchestra sat in this balcony and played for the gentry who promenaded below.

The Pump Rooms are situated in a park with a very polluted stream running through so I was  surprised to see this Little Egret.

Some more grand houses.

Staying on the campsite was this man who is working his way around Britain on his mobility scooter towing a very small home made caravan.

Here is his website 

Finally the sunset of the longest day.

and time for a beer.

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