It's been a bit quiet around here for good reason; I've been away at our beloved Ty Cariad for eight days.
I went with a car boot-full of arts & crafts materials because I never know what I will be inspired to do when I'm there. It turned out to be a week of total relaxation, reading (I actually read a novel that Toby bought me for my birthday) walking with Dandy Doggins in the stunning landscape surrounding the cottage, cooking and a bit of knitting!
I did start work on a mixed media piece towards the end, but I'll blog that when it's a bit further along.
Here are some photos of a walk in the Hafod estate (on our doorstep).
I went with a car boot-full of arts & crafts materials because I never know what I will be inspired to do when I'm there. It turned out to be a week of total relaxation, reading (I actually read a novel that Toby bought me for my birthday) walking with Dandy Doggins in the stunning landscape surrounding the cottage, cooking and a bit of knitting!
I did start work on a mixed media piece towards the end, but I'll blog that when it's a bit further along.
Here are some photos of a walk in the Hafod estate (on our doorstep).
Dandy waiting for me to catch up and open the gate
Some of the Hafod is allowed to be as it is, with paths cut through the contours of the hillside and minimal intervention with nature apart from the forestry commission's keeping of the rhododendrons in check. Other parts are restorations of the former mansion gardens, with benches and formal steps cut from the rock.
These are paths and entrances to 'Mariamne's Garden' high on the side of the valley. Mariamne was the daughter of Thomas Johanes (1748-1816) an Englishman who inherited the land and who built a mansion and developed the grounds of the estate.
Mariamne was a sick child who developed many illnesses and died as a young woman. A sad story, but she had a love of botany and her parents gave her a garden to tend.
It has fine views over the Ystwyth valley.
The weather was mostly beautiful last week, and even on colder and wetter days, the landscape is always captivating. I just love the way that the weather affects the view so quickly. Here are three photos taken in quick succession from the viewing platform off Mariamne's garden, looking over the Ystwyth valley.
The first image is slightly higher than the others, but all are taken on the same camera setting (so when the light is low, the sky looks bluer). You can see that as the clouds pass over the valley, they 'paint' the landscape and highlight different features. When it rains, a mist envelopes whichever peak is behind the cloud and it can disappear altogether, changing the scenery in a matter of minutes. I can sit in the cottage in front of the log burner on a wet day and watch the landscape across the valley shift and change focus as time passes. Then the sun will emerge and bring a peak into sharp contrast with the dark cloud behind it............like magic. And I gasp!
Dandy Doggins remains, as ever, totally unimpressed with the changing scenery.
Though the weather does have an impact on him.
On a hot day, especially when his fur needs a strim, he cools himself off on the patio.
On a wet day he's been known to give up and lie around, dreaming that he's Superdog flying through the sky at night.
Or look at you with his 'wouldn't you like to give me a snack' eyes.
And who could resist?
However, I digress!.........and that's quite enough for one post on a blog that is supposed to be about fine art and fibre craft. I shall do another on the Hafod soon, as the landscape does inspire my art, but I leave you today with my little bit of knitting from in front of the log burner.
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