When You're Down

Isn't this fantastic!??

I took this photo when....

my daughter took me to Dinefwr Park

a few weeks ago!

It's the view

looking up through....

the ruined keep.. 

at Dinefwr Castle

First of all

we visited Newton House

which was built in 18th Century

by George and Cecil Rice

The approach was rather impressive

and we walked along the hall

and into the dining room

Next door

was the drawing room

Do you remember this from a post

a couple of weeks ago?

Posh afternoon tea

This lamp caught my eye

Upstairs was all about interactive

teaching for visiting children

and parents, of course!

The view of the gardens

the deer were far away in the park!!

The view of the ruined castle

through the trees!

It was built in the 12th Century

The walk up to the castle

So...here we are.

I have seen this castle

so many times as we have been travelling

back and fore to see my parents

and this is the first time

I have been able to go in.....

Unfortunately I can't climb around 

as many others are doing

but just to sit 

on the worn steps

and look at the view

To think of those who lived...

and probably fought...

within these walls..

Can you see Newton House,

where we were this morning.....

buried in the trees below?

There's the keep

it would have been the stronghold of the castle!

It stands proudly

even though in ruins

There were people walking up near the top.

The watchmen probably scoured the surrounding countryside from there.....

Makes you think...

doesn't it!?

so...you're probably thinking...

why the title?

I've been feeling extremely down 

these last couple of days

so down that 

I don't even feel like phoning a friend 

to ask her to go out.

What's caused it...

....I really don't know.

It could be the meds I'm on...

I know that I'm tired.

There are several other things happening

that have hit me really hard...

so

what do I do?

Well...

I try not to wallow in it...

although that could be very tempting...

I might enjoy a pity party for a while!

I have been pushing myself a lot

over these last 2 months..

and I feel that

..I really need to..!

I've tried the sitting in a chair....

resting...

and that hasn't worked for me...

so I will try...and try..

to get out 

and visit all the places that

are on my list.

I am so grateful to all those who are patiently

walking slowly with me....

through my list!

So, I'm having a lazier week....

I thought I would revisit the pictures

of places I've enjoyed

going to...

and stop

and be grateful 

for all that I can do and see.

I thought I would share some of the pictures 

with my loving blogging friends...

My first picture reminds me to look up and not down!!

So....how do I feel 

now that I am coming to the end of this trip?

Certainly a little brighter...

and I'm sure,

that when I have visited some of you

my spirit will feel even lighter!!

Yesterday, after I had told her that I was feeling down (and I don't often feel as down as this), 

one of my daughters said,

"Mum, turn that frown upside down"

I think that sounds good!

What helps you when you're feeling down??

Fadedgingernut Returns!!

You asked for it.....

and now you've got it!!

Don't blame me!

She tried not to do it....but....

so many asked for it..

I have had to tie her to the chair....

please ignore any screams!

Visit to Aberglasney

Over to Fadedgingernut.....

It's 13 years 

since we first visited here

so there have been a tremendous amount 

of changes...

I've tried 

over the last number of years 

to revisit but 

my dearest daughter 

(the so and so) 

refused to take me!!

However she relented......

....now that I am nearly 95!

I've been told that the portico

was stolen 

several years ago 

and then seen advertised....

It was bought and restored to its former position.

The yew arch 

is apparently unique in the UK

When we visited before

it had been stripped right back 

to promote regrowth

I was so pleased to see it in its full glory!!

The ancient cobblestones 

in front of this spectacular arch 

were discovered 

when a visitor shuffled their feet 

and dislodged 

some of the soil to reveal 

the beautifully patterned cobblestones!

I couldn't take my eyes off 

the beautiful flowers and 

perfectly manicured garden!

We climbed the lovely old steps

and walked around the top of the cloisters

looking down onto the beautiful 

Elizabethan Cloister Garden

When we were here 13 years ago

we looked down on a sea of mud...

what a difference!

(Pembrokeshire Lass says, 

"She was a nightmare

....so excited

...running hither and thither

...up and down steps...under archways...

exclaiming all the time ....

'Look at this' ....

'how much it's  changed' 

and 

'how beautiful it is'..... etc...etc...!!

I hobbled after her saying 'Come back Mum

 'watch that step'

...watch the uneven cobbles'

...don't walk backwards....'

......'come back Mum'!!)

We turned a corner of the cloisters... 

and found ourselves....

 in a higher garden....

where there were a series of aviaries...

To our horror someone popped up 

in the first one...

we were chatting and laughing to her

 and then 

another appeared!

then the next

....then the next

etc....

Eventually....

there were.....

FIVE!!!

Can you see them all??!!

We walked back through the walled garden...

and under the arch

to have lunch

We chose a table

overlooking the lake and the glorious gardens..

to have a leisurely lunch

BUT....

we can't show you any pictures

AS...

we had to demolish it so quickly

BECAUSE....

THE WASPS FANCIED IT AS WELL!!

(Yes...you're quite right...she's striding out again...

'Mother waaaiiiit for meeeee')

quick look at the sunken garden...

which was ....

sunken ...

as you can see...!

Back through the cloisters.....

along the wonderful cobbles....

a quick look 

in through the front door of the house.

Last time 

we were not allowed inside 

as it had been vandalised.

Now the scent 

of the beautiful oak paneling and stairs

 assailed us.....

(So home....

thankfully in one piece

...but the problems I had keeping tabs on Mum!!))

If

she hadn't been 

my only way of returning home...

I would have

pinched her crutches...

to pay her back.... 

for all the cheek.. 

I have had to put up with!!

Thanks for asking me to write again...

and also.....

the very many

lovely comments and

wishes for a Happy Birthday....

I had a whale of a time!

Posh Afternoon Tea

Yesterday one of my daughters

took me (and the grandchildren too, of course!) 

for a day trip

to a National Trust property
Dinefwr Park

I am just going to share

a teensy weensy little bit of the lovely day

The trust property includes

a 12th century castle (now in ruins)

and Newton House

a most unusual house which was designed by

George and Cecil Rice

in the 18th Century

What caught my eye

and made me think of sharing it with you

was not just the cakes

(maybe it was because lunch time was drawing close and some of my daughter's delish party food was waiting in the carpark)

but the thought of being invited to take tea

with Lady Dinefwr

Rather stirred my imagination!

I really like the china

with its deep blue patches.... 

and pretty pink flowers.

I looked to right and left

before I upended this cup to see the make

I thought that the tablecloth..... 

could bear closer inspection

and the napkins!

The table looks very impressive with its...

butterfly cakes...and....

the cake slices ..... so tempting...

what a pity they are false...

I'm sure that the visitors

 would be tempted to take a bite if they weren't!!

Did you notice the little bird on the icing?

The milk jug and sugar bowl make a nice duo

Well I hope you enjoyed your tea...but...

It's time we headed home...

Ahhhh...it was a lovely day

it's good now..

to take off my shoes...

pick up a cold drink...

and sit under the pergola...

as I reflect on where we've been.

At the beginning of the year 

I made a list of places..

I would like to revisit......

places I have been

unable to

walk around

and enjoy again.

Friends and family

are determined to help me

cross some of the places off that list....

that doesn't mean that 

I will not want to return at some time!!

Dinefwr Park was one of those listed...

It's a place I have never been....

I really enjoyed my time there 

and would recommend it.

Friends...you had better hurry.....

as the list is growing shorter!

I love looking up at the sky

through the roses!

My mother is coming on Sunday

to celebrate her

93rd birthday

with us

She'll be staying a week

we wish that

it could be longer!

Several of you remember that she

did a guest blog

Fadedgingernut Visits

last year

and have asked if she will do another

She will probably say no

but...

I have ways to persuade her so....

watch this spot!!

As I sat under the shade enjoying listening to the birds singing

and the bees humming

one of them alighted on a flower just by me

A perfect end to a wonderful day!

This week I'm joining

 Seasonal Sundays

Pink Saturday

Saturday Showoff