Our mother was born 100 years ago today. Here are seven photographs of her with each of her seven children. I think they show how much she enjoyed spending time with us - just as much as we enjoyed being with her. Martha Byrne, 28th July, 1…
We left our Crickhowell lodgings on Sunday morning and set off on a pleasant drive north towards Dolgellau, travelling via Builth Wells and Rhayader. Full credit must go to London Sister, who took on all the driving. It made the journey rel…
It’s been a while. I took a trip.For eight days I was in Wales with my sister. She drove from London while I flew to Cardiff. I’ve been back for a week now and, despite some life stuff going on, I’ve been in decent form. Holidays really are…
When we first introduced nepeta, or catmint, to our garden, the intention was to bring pleasure to our cats Fred and Holly, and it certainly did. They both adored it, Holly in particular. Those beloved pusses are no longer with us and now i…
One from June 2016. I was right about Brexit and wrong about Trump. He has turned out even more of a disaster than I feared.Sorry Reader. I cannot settle myself to properly update Nelly's Garden until this bloody referendum is over. Who car…
Appreciating nature. Sure, there’s not much else to do when you’re standing in the mud beside a stream, making sure the cows don’t escape again. This tiny patch lies between two fields, one being ours, the other belonging to a neighbour. Th…
It's my father's 21st anniversary today and it occurred to me that when he died I was almost exactly the same age as my oldest daughter is now. I thought I was a right old age when Daddy died but these days when I look at my first born I th…
I really should have posted this a few weeks ago because the apple blossom has fallen from the trees and, if successfully pollinated, the fruit should be starting to form.We have an orchard of sorts closer to the house but it has been negle…
Last Saturday, Zoe and I went to the Seamus Heaney Homeplace to hear local writer Jan Carson in conversation about her work, particularly her most recent publication which centres on fictional inhabited islands on Lough Neagh. As I expected…
Last Saturday, Zoe and I went to the Seamus Heaney Homeplace to hear local writer Jan Carson in conversation about her work, particularly her most recent publication which centres on fictional inhabited islands on Lough Neagh. As I expected…
The Daily Photograph 9Wouldn't it be a fine thing to have even a quarter of that energy?I was weary today so I just had fun with the girls. Sheena passed away shortly after midnight.I will spend tomorrow in the garden.
I went to a wake last night for a family friend, the last of her generation. It was well attended, as she was a much loved woman from a well respected family. As is often the case, I met people I hadn’t seen since the last time I’d been at