We started off our adventure at Woodchester following the ‘play trail’.
We had some fun on the stepping stones. I nearly got stuck…
We found a ready made bivouac to sit in for a little while and watch the birds.
Unfortunately the glockenspiel was too large for us to play.
I won the race to the top of the log frame.
After leaving the ‘Play trail’ we followed the pink arrows through a field of friendly sheep.
The café wasn’t open so we brought our own packed lunch.
Sometimes a little nap is necessary after lunch.
After a walk we arrived at one of the lakes. There are five lakes altogether at Woodchester.
Here we are posing for a selfie at the lake that has a boathouse.
The boathouse looked like it could make a great little house for bears.
There was a boat that wasn’t really going anywhere next to the boathouse.
Further on we found some splendid orange fungi.
Our legs got a tad tired going up these steps.
We finally reached Woodchester Mansion. It was meant to become one of the finest gothic revival private homes but it didn’t get finished.
We had a last look at the sheep before we headed home.
Woodchester is well worth a visit for a walk around the grounds. The Mansion is managed by a local trust and was closed when we visited. We think it would be interesting to see inside another time.
The construction of Chirk Castle began in the 13th century so some of it is very old. The castle wasn’t open when we visited but we were happy to explore the grounds.
On arrival we were very hungry so our first port of call was the café. We ate outside in the courtyard which was a tad chilly in the wind.
We took our cups of tea onto the lawn where it was much warmer.
After a little rest to let our lunch go down we played roly poly on the hill.
After many roly polies we set off to explore further.
We found a long seat that had been carved from a 200 year old cedar tree.
The tree was blown over in a storm in 2013. We read all about it on a display next to the seat.
Further on through the beautiful gardens we came to a thatched building where hawks used to live.
At the edge of ‘The Pleasure Ground Wood’ we climbed up onto a fence for a photo.
Unfortunately a gust of wind blew and we both tumbled backwards into long grass the other side.
One of the humans fashioned a bear lifting stick from a fallen tree branch and managed to retrieve us both. Here I am being lifted back over….
We had a look in The Woodman’s Hut but no one was at home.
It was time to move on as we had to get to Erddig next, so we headed back towards the castle.
The castle styled hedge made a great place for a photo shoot!
We would like to visit Chirk again oneday as it would be very interesting to see inside too.
Had the weather been warmer we could have thought that the humans had brought us to Italy; but we were in North Wales in Portmeirion
Off we went down the path to explore.
We climbed up on a balcony to get a better view of the chap on the other side who was reading something….
We liked this little tower; the humans referred to it as a folly.
As we went down the hill we noticed an enormous chess set. Nye thought the pieces were probably bigger than me.
A closer look was necessary….
The knight was definitely bigger than me.
We posed for a selfie with the King.
After this photo was taken the wind blew us backwards and we tumbled into the lap of a human sitting on a bench the other side. I think she was a tad surprised.
Further down the hill we looked back up at the houses and noticed a man leaning over a balcony. He was very still so we think he was a statue. Can you see him in this photo?
We squeezed through the railings to have a peek at the hotel swimming pool.
On the quayside we found a boat moored.
We thought about sailing it away then discovered that it was built into the wall!
We went through a tunnel to continue along the quayside.
After a short walk we arrived at the lighthouse, but it doesn’t actually work as a lighthouse. The humans said it was another folly.
We climbed up into a very big tree at the start of the Woodland walk.
Our little legs got quite tired climbing up to the old castle.
I had a rest to look at when we reached a pergola. Nye wouldn’t climb up as was bothered that the wind might blow him off the edge!
There wasn’t much left of the old castle….
Back down in the woods we found a large teddy bear sculpture carved from a tree trunk.
We sat for a little while in the dog cemetery. Lots of dogs were buried there. Several were named ‘Roger’.
Tree ferns always make me think of dinosaurs…
To rest our legs after so much exploring we sat on the beach. The tide was coming in though so it was time to find some refreshments.
Warm welsh cakes fresh off the griddle. Yum yum yum.
Many of the buildings in Portmeirion are holiday cottages. It would be an unusual place to have a holiday.
There are many many trees to see at Westonbirt Arboretum. To begin I went up to see the tree tops on the high trail.
It was very interesting to see the trees high up.
Further along there was a good view of the wood works where people were busy making things.
There is an interesting information board on the walkway explaining how trees get their nutrients and water up to the leaves at the top.
I was hoping to climb up even higher to a platform around a tall tree’s trunk but unfortunately it was closed for maintenance.
At one point bees were busy and as the walkway was in their flight path I didn’t hang around.
At the end of the walkway there is a splendid sculpture featuring three dogs.
The day was very hot so I spent a while sitting under a very big tree.
There was also a very tidy bivouac.
I think this was my favourite tree in the Arboretum.
It is a Japanese Paper Maple.
The young trees are kept inside little fenced areas to keep them safe. This one is a honey locust tree.
There was a strange carved house for little people. A wizardry type of chap with a woodpecker on his head were above the door for fairies.
I was very surprised to come across the Gruffalo’s child wandering in the Silk Wood.
Somehow I managed to get caught up in some burdock. It is like the prickly side of velcro and my fur is the soft side.
Thankfully I managed to get free.
This is a special composting station where wood chips used for mulch are stored. The heaps get hot which sterilises them.
To start with I thought these flowers were crocuses growing at the wrong time. My human thinks they are some kind of anemone.
Sometimes you just have to lie under trees.
The view from the ground made me feel very small.
Another young tree safe it its cage. This one is a Japanese Maple (Westonbirt Spreading Star).
There are many miles of paths in the Arboretum. I think I travelled about 6 miles. (I did spend a little time in the bear carrier)
Many trees from all around the world big and small.
I was jolly pleased to find some honey bees…
I did rather jump when I spotted The Gruffalo! He is actually very friendly.
Mouse was busy with an acorn.
Fox let me have a little ride.
Then Owl was so busy being wise and thoughtful he didn’t lend a wing and help me up!
La
Squirrel was a happy fellow
And Snake fortunately didn’t eat me.
After so much walking about my legs were getting very tired and tummy hungry so we headed back towards the cafe.
I settled for cinnamon bun and some ice cream. Yum yum yum…
When I got home I discovered that I still had burdock burst stuck on my fur. The burdock plant is very good at distributing its seeds that way. I shall plant them in a pot and see if they grow baby burdock bushes.
Nye was very excited to come along to Lacock with me.
Lacock is a very old village in Wiltshire. Here I am admiring a splendid wood framed house.
We spotted what looked like a green castle in a garden but on climbing up onto the wall realised it was a topiary.
There was also a topiary whale. Can you spot it?
One house had a stall outside selling all sorts of home jams and meringues.
Amongst the jam we found a jar of Lacock honey. Honey is good for bears so we bought it.
Further up the road we spotted a little stall outside a cottage with lavender bags for sale.
Nye chose a little bag and we popped a pound through the letterbox as instructed.
Further along there was a trug full of very beautiful vegetables for sale. Again we popped some money through the letterbox for some green beans and summer squashes. Fortunately the humans were happy to carry them as they were rather heavy for small bears
Before going into The Abbey grounds we stopped at the National Trust Stables cafe for some chocolate cake. Yum yum yum….
The Abbey gardens are very pretty and many summer flowers were in bloom.
There were also lots of apples in the orchard.
We said ‘Hello’ to the Abbey cat.
Nye spotted a big pond disguised with green plants and lilies growing all over the top.
We were pleased to discover a life ring at hand just in case anyone falls in.
The sheep in the next field were a bit shy and moved away when we went to greet them.
Here we are in front of Lacock Abbey…
We found a ‘Monastic drain’. I peered down and there was a very big cavern underneath. (For more information about the drain see the link at the end of this blog)
Before entering the Abbey to see The Cloisters we paused for a selfie.
The Cloisters at Lacock are a masterpiece and very beautiful.
Some of the filming for the Harry Potter films was carried out in Lacock’s Cloisters.
The Cloisters really are very special and well worth visiting.
As we walked back to the carpark I noticed this sign which is very true. We all need nature.
The large patch of various types of thyme was very pleasing to the eye.
I think I look good with purple!
After visiting the gardens we set off on the woodland explorer trail.
There was a very big bug house so I didn’t get too close just in case very big bugs had moved in!
Soon I came across a good opportunity to practice my climbing.
Someone had been busy building a bear shelter.
I stopped to listen to the bird song as suggested and my human got a video clip.
Then sadly her phone went off, the battery had run out, so we didn’t get any more photos.
We finished the woodland trail then walked around some fields while trying to work out what crops were growing. The visit ended with cake and a flask of tea; I am sure you can imagine me sitting with my Victoria sponge!
An interesting place to visit if you are passing by.
It has been a busy week for me visiting National Trust gardens; the humans should have been on holiday but ended up having to holiday from home and visit some fairly local places. The first thing I noticed at Barrington Court was a sign saying only one gardener had been looking after the grounds during the ‘lockdown’ period.
Everything looked fine to me but the grass was quite long in the orchard.
I was very keen to see the gardens…
For a few minutes I had to shelter from the rain.
There were lots of marigolds in the kitchen garden; marigolds attract insects that eat aphids so I presume that is why they were there.
Cherries; yum yum yum!
Some of the flowers in the kitchen garden were probably being grown to cut and put in flower arrangements such as the Sweet William here.
I was very impressed with the pears being grown against the wall.
There were normal pear trees too; I think these will be delicious at the end of summer.
I was very careful not to fall into the pond.
A rather wild looking scarecrow was busy keeping birds away.
There was also a very busy gardener working very hard in The White Garden.
I liked this splendid path so much I just had to sit and look at it for a while.
The bees on the flowers are also fascinating to watch…
On leaving the gardens we discovered Strode House, which was built in the 17th Century as a stable block. It now contains a holiday apartment which must be a lovely place to stay.
I spent a while looking at the garden.
Here I am in front of the Tudor House, Barrington Court. It was one of the first large houses that the National Trust acquired.
I didn’t get too close to the moat.
While exploring the woods it was good to find that honey bee hives were nearby.
I kept well away from the hives. Bees are best left alone to make their honey.
There was a very strange multi-faceted sundial with a lion sat on top on the lawn in front of the house.
After all the exploring I was quite hungry. I had a very peaceful lunch sat on the lawn outside the shop (which is closed at the moment).
Barrington Court is well worth visiting especially if you like gardens with beautiful paths. I hope to go again sometime.
