2012 Highlights - Part 3

Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens were developed as formal walled gardens in the 17th and eighteenth centuries. They were neglected for many decades in the middle of the last century but were "rediscovered" and a trust was formed in 1985 with the aim of restoring the gardens to their splendour. I try and visit the Gardens once a month as they are such a peaceful and relaxing haven and full of beauty.

"In green old gardens hidden away
From sight of revel, and sound of strife......"

Violet Fane
1843 - 1905

April Visit

Bleeding Heart - I love this plant and managed to obtain a few for more my own garden last year.

Daffodil

Crown Imperial - Fritillaria imperialis

My Lady's Border

Fruit Blossom

Cowslip

Bluebell

Orange Tip

Tulips

Snakeshead Fritillary

Primrose

I visited again a few days later as Brian wanted to have a look round. I took the macro lens this time but we were only able to stay a short while as the heavens opened and we got soaked!

May Visit

I saw my first ever Tree Bumble Bee

After this first sighting I saw Tree Bumbles everywhere I went and had to release several from the garage at home

Back at the Gardens there was still plenty of blossom

and Marsh Marigolds were blooming

June Visit

Lower Wilderness

I spent ages trying to get a record shot of this Chimney Sweeper Moth found in the Extra Gardens

Visit to a Medieval Market Town - Henley-in-Arden
Not only is it very pretty there with lots of old buildings, there is also an icecream parlour and tearoom well worth a visit

White Swan - 16th century coaching inn

Remains of a fifeenth century market cross which was once 17 feet tall

George House - a timber framed building possibly sixteenth century

Guild Hall

Millennium Wood - another visit in April. Not many birds on this visit but a pleasant walk

Fairy Door with the latest adornments - sadly I think the decorations have now gone rather over the top.

Brandon Marsh

A visit to my favourite Nature Reserve in April resulted in several new species for the year - Peacock butterfly, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Swallow and Chiffchaff

Fungi - I now think these are Turkeytail having identified some at CBHG

Coots and nest

St Giles, Baddesley Clinton and Packwood

In April I had a day out with a friend. I took her to see St Giles churchyard at Packwood and there were still plenty of Primroses in flower plus this Yellow Archangel

We had lunch at Baddesley and then looked round the gardens at Packwood House with its famous Yew Garden said to represent the Sermon on the Mount.

In May I paid a couple of visits to places connected with JRR Tolkien - author of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogy - again some of my favourite books.

Tolkien spend the years between 1896 and 1900 (when he was aged 4-8) at 5 Gracewell Cottages (now 264 Wake Green Road), Sarehole, and often used to play at the Mill. It has been suggested that this area which was then rural and a village provided him with inspiration for the Shire and The Great Mill.

Sarehole Mill

Tolkien also lived for a while in nearby Edgbaston where two towers can be found which may have provided inspiration for Minas Morgul and Minas Tirith (the Two Towers)

Victorian Tower part of Edgbaston Water Works

and a few hundred yards away can be found Perrott's Folly

Next year I plan to visit Moseley Bog - another place said to have provided Tolkien with inspiration.