On August bank holiday Monday we had almost, but not quite recovered from our hectic weekend. We ventured out to visit a garden and enjoy a lunch along the way. Our first port of call was the Dingle Gardens, a place we had not visited before. It wasn’t quite what we were looking for, so after quickly exploring the grounds we made our way to Powys Castle for lunch.
When we arrived at Powys we were directed to the overflow car park. I have never seen so many cars at Powys Castle and we both decided we couldn’t be bothered with the crowds. Feeling inspired I suggested that we revisit Glansevern Hall Gardens. We had intended to return for another visit this year and they do nice lunches.
The lunch didn’t disappoint and the gardens were lovely.
Talking to one of the other visitors in the garden, it seems the hall is up for sale again. Maybe this was my last chance to enjoy the gardens…
Glansevern Hall for sale.
Tags: Glansevern Hall, Glansevern Hall Gardens, Life
On the day of the wedding the weather was so perfect that some uninvited guests emerged from the pool area. The tiny intruders invaded layers of the brides dress and had to be removed for the photographs. Later in the day when the wedding guests had gathered on the terrace before the evening reception the tiny intruders enjoyed a pre evening meal feast…
I noticed one when I felt a felt a tickling sensation on my leg, then I had a stinging sensation on my other leg and noticed a bit of blood… I thought nothing more of it until 24 hours later when my leg was itching and I gave it a casual scratch. I experienced excruciating pain causing me to look to see what the problem was. I was quite shocked at what I saw on my leg. There were a few other lesser bites adorning my lower body too.
This led me to do a Google search to find out what the insects actually are. I found that they are Black Fly and in the UK they have been named the Blandford Fly. Check the link for a photo on the damage they can do.
Black Fly
My leg didn’t swell up, but it had a vicious red rash which was hot to the touch and as I walked I had searing pain if I wasn’t careful. Thankfully the pain, heat and extended rash have calmed down.
Tags: Black Fly, Blandford Fly, Mini Break, Nottingham, Wedding
This weekend my brother got married to his lovely lady. Their wedding day was perfect and beautiful. The sun came out to bless them and there was much love, laughter and happy tears along the way… The happy couple surprised everyone with a choreographed dance story about the two of them. A part of the wedding they had kept secret from everyone. I had no idea my brother could dance like that 
The celebrations carried on the next day at breakfast where we all lingered to enjoy each other’s company before it was time to leave and go on our separate journeys.
Tags: Colwick Hall, Family, Love, Mini Break, Nottingham, Wedding
Listen in deep silence.
Be very still and open your mind….
Sink deep into the peace
that waits for you beyond the frantic,
riotous thoughts and sights
and sounds of this insane world.
From A Course in Miracles (…And Wisdom come quietly -Helen Exley)
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, Vacation, Wells, Wells Cathedral
Crossing the wooden boardwalk, you approach the shady and secretive corner of the grounds where St Andrew’s Well rises. There are two or three other wells here, which in summer are thick with wetland plants.*
St. Andrew’s Well
In 705 King Ine of Wessex gave land near the wells to Aldhelm, his Bishop, so that he could build a minster. The Saxon minster lay just south of the present Cathedral. A stream from this well flowed close beside the minster. Water might have been taken straight from the stream for use in some church ceremonies.
The Well’s unceasing flow through the city would have seemed very significant in the middle ages.
The Book of Revelation (cc.21-22) describes a vision of the City of God:
‘Then the Angel showed me the river of life, rising from the throne of God and flowing crystal clear. Down the middle of the city street, on either side of the river, were the trees of life, the leaves of which are for the healing of nations.’
Wells, with its ceaseless waters, could be seen as an earthly reflection of this perfect city.**
The Well Pool
On a perfect day, the broad, curving well pool calmly reflects the tower of St Andrew’s Cathedral. The still surface is barely disturbed by the water visibly bubbling up through the silty bed.
It was Bishop Law who saw how to use the Wells’ abundant flow in a new way: as a mirror.
Law’s reflective pool was built in the 1830s as part of his vision for a romantic landscape. Before this time the water supply was carefully managed for more practical ends. Bishop Beckynton built a weir to raise the level of the water and this made it possible to maintain a head of pressure. Then, as now, a system of channels directed water from a reservoir pool, and there were sluices to control how much water flowed out.*
*From the Bishops Palace guide to the Palace and Gardens.
**From a signboard next to St Andrew’s Well
Tags: The Bishop's Palace, Vacation, Well Springs, Wells
