Dan & Ali's delightful day out at Dyffryn gardens #1.......

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Well, Wednesday saw a rare treat in that both Ali and I were off together and knowing this event was coming up, we planned a few hours out of the house and as Ali had visited this place yeeeeeeeeeeeeeears ago, she suggested we go there together. So, as I always aim to please and do as I am told, like a good boy, I agreed.

Before we left, I checked we had everything required for the walk…..

Wallet

Well Ali was going to be there so we needed money somewhere along the line, surely!!

Now there has been some furore on GoY since my good lady joined last week, regarding the camera she possesses and the fact that certain GoY members who shall remain nameless, eh Sanbaz, feel that she should have a new camera. Well, to set the record straight, she actually does possess a better camera than me…..

Whilst I make do with the following….

That discussion over, I shall move on! Now, which gate shall we use today children…..the back gate …..

….or the front gate_……
!http://media.growsonyou.com/photos/blogphoto/image/19570/main/P1030367.jpg!

Well the back gate Dan, ya donut. That’s where the car is!!

‘Oh yeh…..sorry!’

This little one looked on in disbelief as we walked down the path….

But not in as much disbelief as moi when I saw the little fly de butter that sent me scatty on Sunday as it teased me all day and wouldn’t settle long enough to take a pic! Well, there she was, bold as brass on the side of the Rowan…..SNAP!!

So, there we were, in the car, going on our holidays……okay, so we weren’t flying anywhere…..and we didn’t have any luggage…..and we hadn’t got up at ‘silly o’clock’ in the morning to head off, but……NO BUTS DAN!!!

You were not going on your hols but merely having a few relaxing hours at an apparently nice place so get on with it!!

Okay, so, approximately 20 mins after leaving home, we arrived at our destination, after a slight detour handed to us by Ali’s Sat Nav!! Nice to see not many cars there….

The wooden/glass building to the right is the cafe where we started with some tea and cake – carrot for me, cream tea for Ali….well, you need to build your stamina up for the long walk ahead!

I know we’re hoping to get frogs in our garden but not quite as big as this one….

A nice little play area for kids as well…..see you later then Ali!!

Entry to the gardens costs £6 per person…TWELVE QUID!!! Looks like we timed our visit badly….!

DOH…..!!

Someone had obviously told them that Dan was visiting today and that he was a sucker for plants because after you enter the gift shop to pay, you exit through another door where I found this little lot waiting for me….

I tried telling Ali that it had been put there for me but no go I’m afraid!

So, we turned right, walked about 40 yards to be greeted by this sight….

And so our walk begins….

WOW……he’s a tall un!!

Walked past a big patch of Erica x Stuartii – ‘Irsh Lemon’….

Now that looks interesting, let’s go up there….

As we do, say hello to this Dunnock who was bouncing around unaffected by our presence….

At this point, as I was taking the above pic, Ali excitedly tells me that a Hare had just gone bounding across the grassy area a bit further up…..I’ll take your word for it then shall I? Missed it so, bald I shall stay for a while longer!

At the opening of the next little area, we come across the first thing we want back in our garden….

Such an interesting and mesmerising shape and form to this piece of wood.

So, just behind that lump of wood is this…

Time to move on all….

Lovely colours on this tree…

Onwards….

Nice to see they put the bunting out for our VIP visit……..OH, they didn’t!!

Loads of Speckled Woods flying around and this one tried in vain to keep it’s wings open against the breeze blowing….

These were everywhere and so annoying. You could easily trip over them and injure yourself and what if………OY! Stop making a mountain out of a molehill!

Come on…keep up…

I have a feeling we’re being followed….

…and then there was light….

This is a lovely tree…..Acer Griseum….

Not fussed on the ‘Linda Barker’ wallpaper covering it though…..

Just kidding. Such a lovely, deep red on the bark. Very nice!

Cedrus Atlantica – Glauca

…look up to the sky and seeeeee….

Damn! I knew it was a mistake to let Ali mind my wallet….‘OY! Hands off woman!!’..

Love this pic….

And so we arrive at the Vine Walk….

As we make our way through the tunnel of vines…..

Oh, and there’s Duffryn House in the distance….

As we exit the vine Walk, we enter into the Heart Garden, full of vibrant reds….

Then on in to lavender Court and Folly….

And to end our first part of this extensive walk……some BIG leaves….

My hands are small against them….

But Ali’s are tiny!!!!!

Right peeps, go grab yourself a coffee and a cake before we commence with the second part of our walk around this beautiful place……

18 Sep, 2009
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Comments

Drc726

Thank you I enjoyed that.

18 Sep, 2009

Bobg

Thanks Ali and Dan, great walk and some brilliant shots, I loved the vine walk I would'nt have been able to resist picking a grape or three hundred :o))))
Come on then hurry up with the next part!!!

18 Sep, 2009

Oddbillie

Thanks guys and glad you enjoyed it. Not far off completing #2 and may need a small #3 to end it!

Off to bed now though as in work early in morn so will post next part tomorrow night.

Thanks again both

18 Sep, 2009

Lincslass

Dan and Ali that was a brilliant walk and I`m not even tired, lovely blog and pics looking forward to part 2 .........

18 Sep, 2009

Gilli

Thanks you two for taking us along on your walk. You've some lovely photos.

19 Sep, 2009

Oddbillie

Thanks Gilli! be sure to stick around for part 2 tonight!!

Thnaks also Lincslass. We weren't tired either as it was sooooooorelaxing just ambling round the site.

19 Sep, 2009

Gee19

Fantastic blog, OB, and great photos. Looks like a brilliant place to visit. Just one thing, I think your dunnock was disguised as a thrush - just can't trust these birds, can you?
Looking forward to Part 2.

19 Sep, 2009

Dan & Ali's delightful day out at Dyffryn gardens #1.......

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