Mary amid daffodils
Very slowly, things are starting to open up here in Wales.
On Saturday I am meeting my sisters and sister in law for a garden based light lunch and today Mary and I are off to newly reopened Bodnant Gardens * for a walk.
I am so glad that the National Trust allows dogs into their gardens. Going alone is always fraught with the vague sense that I’m seen to be an old pervert. Having a dog with you precludes this strange stereotype.
Dorothy is far too excitable for such a place.
The gardens were thick with people determined to get the most out of the spring sunshine
I was so happy with Mary at my side. My girl is such sweet company
* Bodnant Garden (Welsh: Gardd Bodnant) is a National Trust property near Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy, Wales, overlooking the Conwy Valley towards the Carneddau mountains.
Founded in 1874 and developed by five generations of one family, it was gifted to the National Trust in 1949. The garden spans 80 acres of hillside and includes formal Italianate terraces, informal shrub borders stocked with plants from around the world, The Dell, a gorge garden, a number of notable trees and a waterfall. Since 2012, new areas have opened including the Winter garden, Old Park Meadow, Yew Dell and The Far End, a riverside garden. Furnace Wood and Meadow opened in 2017. There are plans to open more new areas, including Heather Hill and Cae Poeth Meadow.
Oh how beautiful! That home is amazing! It won't be long before the daffodils show up. The crocuses and snowdrops are putting on a wonderful show right now.
ReplyDeleteYes here too, I never photographed the smaller flowers
DeleteGorgeous and glorious are words coming to mind. Such bright and cheerful daffodils! What a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteIt did lift thevspirits
DeleteBeautiful gardens ... what a wonderful place for a quiet walk with the dog. I wonder if it would help Dorothy deal better if taken for a quiet walk there? Perhaps on her own or, if it would help, with Mary.
ReplyDeleteWe have to deal with our fears by facing them ... I wonder if that might also be true for the animals?!? OK ... what the hell do I know? Nothing! LOL
Dorothy walks fine on the lead but gets too excited when you sit and rest.
DeleteShe doesn’t leave me alone
I felt like a rest
Totally understandable!
DeleteWhy fight what you are? Embrace your stereotype x
ReplyDeleteHow VERY dare you ? !
Delete"Going alone is always fraught with the vague sense that I’m seen to be an old pervert."
ReplyDeleteSome once phoned our house to say thay'd seen a man leave our garden and go into the wood. They were suspicious because "he didn't have a dog". Ths person was me, going for a walk.
This made me laugh
DeleteHow absolutely glorious. I'll watch for the news reports about the old pervert with the dog.
ReplyDeleteThere were a great number of dogs there today
DeleteBut were any of the others with old perverts?
DeleteA beautiful portrait of Mary!
ReplyDeleteThank u
Deletelooks like a magical place. and mary amidst the flowers - cute!
ReplyDeleteI worked hard on that photo
DeleteWhat a lovely garden. Glad you had a good day.
ReplyDeleteMary was tired out
DeleteA true treasure!
ReplyDeleteLovely
DeleteIt's been years since Wordsworth's poem was something I knew. The photos brought it back. A welcome surprise. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLonely as a cloud
DeleteThat is so pretty. I'm glad things are starting to open up for you, there. Mary is nicely colour coordinated with the daffodils. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThere was a definite buzz in the air from people waiting to go in
DeleteBeautiful John - Have been in the past but don't suppose I shall go again.
ReplyDeleteNever say never pat
DeleteIt's a long, long time since I went there. When we can start going out and about a bit more freely, I must go again. As for old pervert, never! Young maybe. LOL.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt’s a serious conversation men are having recently especially in light of Sarah Everard
DeleteI've never been to Bodnant, but 'gardens' are starting to open down here as well. Thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteWe are starting to live again
DeleteThe national symbol of Wales .... what a beautiful carpet of yellow. This weather has really made us feel a lot happier. Lovely Spring photographs.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens have been booked solid
DeleteWhat a wonderful, beautiful place to visit and doesn't Mary look right at home? You're lucky to have such a place nearby and very wise to lift your heart by going there in the spring.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am reminded of Wordsworth's poem. Hope you and Mary "wandered lonely as a cloud ..." and that the daffodils were "dancing in the breeze"!
Hugs!
We did indeed
DeleteJings, I go out and about every day alone and without a dog. Around here if I had a dog I might be perceived as a dog thief, as that particular felony is on the increase. The best advice anyone ever gave me might be when I was advised: "You cannot go through life worrying what other people might be thinking about you."
ReplyDeleteBut we all do worry, don’t we?
DeleteI generally manage not to, and stop if I catch myself slipping into it.
DeleteI don’t engage myself with the tussle
DeletePretty place ... that's a lot of daffodils!
ReplyDeleteThey are just on the turn..after them in may come the bluebells
DeleteHave you ever been there before? It looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe used to go a great deal .usually when sorrel visited
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DeleteHow was it today going all on your own ?
DeleteFine, I’m sure you wanted a different answer
DeleteWhat a beautiful place, so many daffodils.
ReplyDeleteSo little time
DeleteA beautiful sea of daffodils. I'll bet Paul McCartney could write a song about that.
ReplyDeleteLol why him ?
DeleteThe daffodils and magnolia are amazing...maybe next year, when we're allowed into Wales! How sad that you feel uncomfortable walking alone...Wordsworth didn't have that problem!
ReplyDeleteWomen have been uncomfortable walking alone for years but for other reasons
DeleteTrue...now I am older, OK, old! (and have a dog), I feel quite safe wandering in the countryside, though wouldn't choose to brave a large town at night, alone, even in non-Covid times.
DeleteFantastic - a host of golden daffodils, truly uplifting..Ro xx
ReplyDeleteThey are cheerful souls
DeleteThe daffodils planted in masses are spectacular. Walking through the gardens surrounded by beautiful spring blooming flowers and trees lifts the spirits for sure. Many visitors all enjoying the day and the blooms is very special. Looks like Mary loved it too.
ReplyDeleteShe loves to sit and watch susan....later today she’s off with hattie
DeleteWhat a beautiful place for a walk! I'm happy for you and Mary that you got to enjoy it together. That's a wonderful portrait of her amidst the daffs...
ReplyDeleteShe’s a good companion
DeleteI think we all nee t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "OLD PERVERT"
ReplyDeleteWould they sell lol
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ReplyDeleteit's so nice that they allow dogs. that is rare around here. the daffodils make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I would have gone alone jaz
DeleteThank you for sharing those beautiful pictures. What a lovely place to visit.
ReplyDeleteMaybe someday......
One day x
DeleteMy late gran would sneak cuttings home in her bad. How they survived a long trip from Wales to East Midlands I dont know. Lovely pics
ReplyDeleteI know many that do that
DeleteLove it there. Haven't been for a while. Typical day out for us round there = ffin y Parc + Bodnant.
ReplyDeletePushed a wheelchair all round the place once. Ended up with arms like Popeye!
A lot of people in chairs and walkers, people shielding needing the sun and the view
DeleteWhat a wonderful place to visit! I love the picture of Mary among the daffodils. The beauty of each enhances the other!
ReplyDeleteWe were sat on a log watching the walkers, she loves watching
DeleteLooks heavenly, every community should have a place like that open for the public to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a national trust property and beautifully maintained
DeleteI don't think anyone should think a perve even if you had you had skipped through the daffs in the noddy with Mary-some may just have wondered if you were simply full of the Joys of Spring sprung-lovely x
ReplyDeleteI'm shuddering at the thought that passed through your mind. Have you no shame Flis? 😜X
DeleteYou two should meet
DeleteHow glorious. The NT gardens near here only let the dogs in on a short leash over the winter months. English Heritage are much more relaxed about it. Arilx
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such a sweep of daffodils before. The house and gardens is gorgeous! What's going on with the wrapped statues along the blossom walk?
ReplyDelete... are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely outing with Mary and the photo is worth framing to remind you of this special day free from Covid worries.
ReplyDelete