Hi all!

I know I have been VERY inconsistent about writing and sharing on the blog lately, (LATELY?!?!? what does that even mean when the last time I wrote was MONTHS ago?). All I can say is that life is full to overflowing, and the balls in the air sometimes drop, and for that I apologize. I am hoping to get back on a regular schedule very soon! I am revamping my website and the blog, and trying to make some very important decisions regarding my Design Studio which I hope to share with you all very soon! Exciting stuff ahead.

But on to my adventures in Wales. It does seem that we packed a ton of things into a very short time there....(waaayyy too short....we are planning another trip soon). One of my favorite things was our brilliant morning at Bodnant Estate  Garden. It is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK. Created by Lord Aberconway (Henry McLaren) and given to the National Trust in 1949, the garden was the top item on my list of things we wanted to see in Northern Wales. I cannot even describe how lush and beautiful it is. Thank  the heavens for cameras so you can get the gist of it....

The Bodnant Estate is a private building and not part of the National Trust, but we are lucky to just see it from the outside. It was purchased by Henry Davis Pochin, a successful Victorian entrepreneur in 1875 and he began the transformation of the Georgian era estate to what successive generations have produced today. the same family has owned this 80 acre estate for 130 years.

You can read much more about its history and what is planned for its future HERE, HERE and HERE.

We arrived in May of last year, just when the azaleas and rhododendrons were in full bloom. We got to the gardens a tiny bit before they opened, and I ended up exploring around the back of the Estate in places I probably should not have been.....

This beautiful greenhouse was on the backside of the manor house and a did snap a few photos before we were let in to the gardens.

I cannot tell you how extraordinary these gardens are. everywhere you look it was breathtaking.

The wisteria was just about to bloom from a huge old vine. It  would have been amazing to see it in just another month....

The front drive to the Estate was not supposed to be part of the gardens and I think we were not supposed to be here. I did snap a photo before we realized we were probably trespassing...we got back to the proper side of the wall as soon as we realized.....

Views in Wales....now you know where all of those fairytales come from.....

There were acres of formal gardens.....

The Rhododendrons and azaleas came in colors I had never seen before.....

The Wisteria trellises were ready to carry a show of white blooms anytime.....

The gardens terraced down to the Conwy river valley....

The Pin Mill was originally built in 1730, but was suffering decay, so was brought to Bodnant in 1938 and placed on the Canal Terrace. All of the terraces were built without machinery.....whoa....

Further down, we wound our way through the forest with hills full of azaleas and rhododendrons....

We hiked down through the Dell and at the bottom was The Old Mill....built in the 1930's. Next to it is a refreshment house with tea and cakes and sandwiches.... perfect timing for a quick snack....

Yup...that is me on the bridge there....

we would around the creek and back up another way and found "the Poem"....

"The Poem".....what a nice name for the McLaren family tomb. I can see why it has the name....

From The Poem, we walked through meadows of flowers....

and pheasants were enjoying the meadows too....

We were not happy to be leaving, but if we had to, it was not so bad strolling through the famous Laburnam Arch  (Bright yellow trailing blooms) ....just before it was to bloom. It reminded us we will have to come back to see that.......

Above the exit gates....the walls were covered with blooms as well....

Thanks for strolling with me! 

One last thing I have to say.....this garden is so beautiful, I was astonished by how we had much of it too ourselves. Later in our trip when we were in Amsterdam, Paris and all through Italy, the crowds at all of the "attractions" were sometimes overwhelming. The experiences we had elsewhere elbow to elbow to get a photo of what are considered the "must see" sights of the world will never compare to this spectacular place. It was serene, peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful. I will never forget we were able to see it before it becomes overrun. Perhaps we were lucky on this day... in this month, but in looking back.....I will never forget it.....

I hope you have time to visit Bodnant Gardens in person one day. You will fall for it...I promise.