Meanderings in May

Today I thought let us again look at things around us and simply enjoy the countryside. Personally, late May and early June are my favourite times of the year, not only for the fact it is warmer (should be!), but the colours, shapes, and expansion of the natural world on our doorsteps.

So today we start with a brisk walk through some Bluebell woods in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

That was invigorating! We press on to look at my favourite trees the Horse Chestnut now.

We pop over "the pond" to see the lilac trees/bushes. They are in flower here now and we have three of them all white in the garden here at the Rectory. They smell wonderful and look cool and crisp and are most appealing!

Finally back to Cardiff for a short tour of two gardens, mainly taken in early June and showing a wealth of colour and form. It does however lack Philip's choice of music to accompany! Enjoy!

Hope you have a good Saturday and have enjoyed our trips outside.

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For those of you who took part in the Welsh cultural quiz last weekend for the bank holiday, here are your answers:

1. What creature is on the Welsh flag? Dragon

2. What is the name of the highest mountain in Wales? Mount Snowdon

3. How many castles are there in Wales – 378, 641 or 927? 641

4. Who is the Patron Saint of Wales? Saint David. Saint David’s day is on the 1st March.

5. What is the biggest lake in Wales? Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake)

6. What country in South America has a large Welsh population? Argentina. Welsh people settled in Patagonia in 1865 to help spread the culture and language.

7. Which actor from Port Talbot won an Oscar for his portrayal of serial killer Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs? Sir Anthony Hopkins

8. What is unofficially considered the national sport of Wales? Rugby

9. Which yellow flower that blooms in Spring is closely associated with Wales? Daffodil

10. Which sea lies to the west of Wales? The Irish Sea

11. The Welsh language (Cymraeg) is a member of which wider language group, also including Gaelic and Cornish? Celtic

12. What is the name of Wales’s rugby stadium in Cardiff called? The Principality Stadium. It used to be called the Millennium Stadium up until 2016.

13. Which legendary British king is closely associated with Wales, with some suggesting he held his court at Caerleon? King Arthur

14. After Cardiff, which city is the second most populous in Wales? Swansea

15. Which Welsh politician was well-known as the founder of the National Health Service (NHS)? Aneurin Bevan

16. How long is the Wales Coast Path – 870 miles, 970 miles, or 1,070 miles? 870 miles

17. What is the name of the river that flows through Cardiff? The River Taff

18. By what name was the famous Welsh singer Tom Jones christened? Thomas John Woodward

19. Wales has more ‘what’ per square mile than any other place in the world? Castles

20. How many national parks can be found across Wales? Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and the Brecon Beacons