Mid August Visit to Herefordshire

 

In between the medical appointments we managed to escape to Herefordshire just for two nights last weekend.  The main purpose of the visit was to water the plants! The journey there was a nightmare as the M42 was closed that weekend between several junctions due to perishing HS2 work :(  It took us 50 minutes to get to Solihull to join the motorway there (it normally takes 20 minutes!). Annoyingly, I think the M42 is going to be closed for several more weekends which will make journeys to and from Herefordshire far more lengthy.

It was noticeable on the journey how many trees were losing leaves or changing their leaf colour.  I think this is due to all the hot dry weather we have been having as the trees get stressed and  shut down early to try and conserve moisture.

This is the  lovely view from the kitchen table where I sit and read or use my laptop.

Interestingly the leaves on the Herefordshire trees were not changing colour.

Herefordshire Oak

Octopus Tree

Constable Tree(s)

It was a relief to see that most of the plants in the garden, borders and pots had survived our absence again!

The rose in the pot is looking particularly lovely at the moment.

I am so glad I bought this geranium as it is flowering profusely again.

Mini alliums have finally more or less come into flower.

Just one chilli and  one tomato on the plants

Apologies that so many of my photos are similar to other recent Herefordshire posts. I keep hoping D will come with us and motivate me to go out somewhere!

This is the lovely rose we inherited in the garden.

Timothy sat by the little jug I bought on the Isle of Wight. I will probably use it as a vase.

We returned home last Monday when the M42 had re-opened! Hopefully, soon we can return and stay for longer.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would appreciate an email first - thanks).

Kenilworth Castle

Last week B wanted a lift to a pub to meet friends for lunch so D and I dropped him off and carried on to Kenilworth Castle.  As expected it was busy there but at least we managed to park fairly easily. 

I will give the history of Kenilworth Castle for any new readers but if you have read my blogs on the castle before I would skip this bit.

• The first castle at Kenilworth was built in the 1120's by Geoffrey de Clinton (The Royal Chamberlain) who had been given the land by Henry I.  He built the Great Tower (or Norman Keep) and also founded Kenilworth Priory nearby.
• In the early C13th King John added an outer circuit wall and built a dam to retain a large lake. The castle was now well defended and withstood a siege in 1266.
• John of Gaunt, son of Edward III, built the Great Hall and its apartments.
• C15th Lancastrian kings visited to hunt and Henry V built a retreat at the end of the lake called "The Pleasance in the Marsh".
• In 1563 Elizabeth I gave the castle to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.  He turned the castle into a place where he could entertain her building apartments and a privy garden for her use.
• After the Civil War the fortifications were removed and in 1650 Colonel Hawkesworth, a Parliamentarian Officer, turned Leicester's Gatehouse into a private residence.
• In 1958 Lord Kenilworth gave the castle to the people of Kenilworth and it has been managed by English Heritage since 1984.

I think this is part of a Folktale Creature Trail for children.

Great Tower or Norman Keep

Queen Elizabeth's apartments

Lord Leicester's Gatehouse

We spent most of our time walking around the Queen's Privy Garden. Originally this was a private garden for Elizabeth I  created by Robert Dudley.  This was recreated by English Heritage in 2009.  The designed was based on descriptions by Robert Longham who sneaked into the garden in the C16th.  Archaeological surveys and historical research were also used to help plan the garden.

The Aviary

 

 

The Swan Tower in the north west corner of the outer curtain wall  may once have been part of C13th defence. It was perhaps altered in the C14th  and then converted for use as a small banqueting house for the C16th privy garden.

Plants in Walls - Mystery plant growing on top of the curtain wall.

Lunn's Tower

We then went for lunch. Again we were hoping for a toasted sandwich but again they hadn't got any!  D had the last cheese scone which meant I had a fruit one!

We popped in the gift shop and I bought an English Heritage book with old fashioned traditional recipes.  Then on our way to picking up B we stopped off at the farm shop. It was good to get out for a few hours.  

Reference EH Guide Book to Kenilworth Castle

All photos taken by me and D with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).