Fencing, Flowers and Fancy Gardens

Although it seems very strange to say, thank you for staying away – we will all welcome you back with open arms (from 2 metres away) as soon as it is safe to do so. In a way I’m pleased that Wales is still on a fairly strict lockdown – the Covid-19 stats are starting to creep up here on the Llŷn and we need to keep as safe as we can.

So what have we been up to? Well we’re still busy catching up with jobs whilst we have an empty Gors-lwyd. The latest job has been to replace the fencing between the garden and the field. The last storm brought down a large tree which landed on the fence and brought part of it down, this in turn led to an influx of sheep in the garden and I got fed up of removing all the sheep poo, so it’s a job which needed doing!

Talking of the garden, did you see the photos I took of the Red Hot Pokers? I posted a photo them on Instagram and Facebook too. They are the best I have ever seen them. Usually they are attacked by slugs but the dry and sunny weather has kept them well and truly at bay. The weather today is particularly great – very warm – yay!

If gardens are your thing, there are plenty which are open to the public around the Llŷn and North Wales.

Nearest to Gors-lwyd is Plas yn Rhiw. The house was rescued from neglect and lovingly restored by the three Keating sisters, who bought it in 1938. The views from both the house and garden are stunning – overlooking Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth). The house and gardens are now under the care of the National Trust.

Bodnant Gardens are huge (over 80 acres – that’ll take some mowing!) and is beautiful. It’s renowned for it’s laburnum arch which has to be seen to be believed. It’s 55 metres (180 feet) long – best seen in May/June. I visited here with mum a few years ago and we both had a great day out – someone took our picture when we were stood under the arch – but I can’t find it anywhere! You can easily spend more than one day exploring the gardens.

Plas Brondanw was given to Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (designer of Portmeirion) by his father in 1902.
The gardens at Plas Brondanw are the finest example of Sir Clough’s talent for creative landscape design.
Sir Clough created a unique and characteristic garden landscape. Inspired by the gardens of Renaissance Italy, the gardens, stone walls, topiary and avenues of trees – there is definitely a hint of what was to come for Portmeirion here.

Closer to home, you can always have a wander around Tyddyn Sachau Garden Centre which is on the main road to Pwllheli. There is plenty of plants, flowers, herbs and garden nicknacks – ooh, and the cafe….big, big cakes!!

So let’s hope you can come stay soon, the mountains, the sea, the gardens, Gors-lwyd, and me will all be here for when you next visit!