How to make gardens more appealing to children? Add grottoes. Henry Oakley purchased the Dewstow Estate, near Newport, in 1893 and being a keen horticulturist, he commissioned London landscapers Pulham and Son to create a garden with subterrean elements. Without descendants, when Oakley died in 1940, the estate reverted to pastureland, the hidden aspects filled […]
Another trip down memory lane. This time it is due to Goodrich Castle. So much has changed since my last visit over 30 years ago. I wrote a little about that during the A-Z blogging challenge. Back then there was no entrance fee, you could walk right into the ruin. The ground was grassy and […]
I’m on holiday with my family in the Wye Valley, which spans the border of south Wales and England. The last time I visited the area was when I was a child, probably ten or eleven. My memories are vague and I think I visited places, but maybe I hadn’t. One of those is Clearwell […]
Hundred words! This week’s Friday Fictioneers’ post, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and the prompt…. Re-calculating! He’d begun the journey on a highway. Then, when an accident had barred his way, he’d followed the sage advice of his GPS. Re-calculating! He glared at the titchy screen and the red marker, which hadn’t moved. One road after […]
When it comes to property, location is everything. We all want something to see out of the window, rooms with spectacular views. What is rare for a humble dwelling, is guaranteed for a fortified castle. Whereas houses are constructed on the plateau of fields or pastures, castles are mounted on bedrock. Cliffs are advantageous, rivers […]
Wasn’t sure where to go with this one. Needed a little light relief in my life at the moment – so here’s my take on this week’s Friday Fictioneers prompt, which is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The TV boomed – winter is coming. She groaned. “If I had a quid for every time I’d heard […]
My contribution to Friday Fictioneers’ 100 word story – thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting. Some wore balaclavas, others Halloween masks or nylon stockings. He chose a diving helmet. It wasn’t the most practical thing. He got stuck in windows. It was heavy, making climbing walls a challenge and it obscured his vision. “Why,” […]
Welcome! My contribution to this week’s Friday Fictioneers flash fiction – 100 word story – hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. “Keep going,” Sam yelled. “We’ve got to save the town.” The line of stones shifted, some tumbled into the water. Sam’s gang worked hard to shore up the defences. The deadline was five o’clock. White froth […]
This week’s contribution to Friday Fictioneer hosted by Rochelle Wisolf-Fields. When the whistle blew, the driver pointed at the clock and pleaded with him, “Now, man. Come on.” In response, he tipped his hat and bowed. “I’ve worked here forty years. Where will I go?” The steam spewed out of the engine and the wheels […]
Although I’ve finished the A to Z blogging challenge for this year, I don’t want to end my exploration of British castles. For some letters I was spoilt for choice. C in particular gave me lots of options and I’m going to a pick a few of them. My first extra C is Chepstow castle […]
The Quiet Writer 