25th February 2026 - More rain

Thought for the day :"Definitions: Willy-nilly (adj): impotent"

Wet

Daffodils on the Donkey Trail by the kissing gate

TillyVision

24th February 2026 - Madigan Visit and some Spring Shots

Thought for the day :"Definitions: Esplanade (v): to attempt an explanation when drunk."

Dry 

Visit from Chris and Vicky and dodged the showers for a walk around the grounds.

Some signs of spring

and some interesting Fungi

Cheers 

23rd February 2026 - Some pruning and clearing

Thought for the day :"Definitions: Abdicate (v): to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach."

Wet (Again)

Have decided that the stack of bottles that I have been acquiring will be used as walls for the lower quarter shelter - I think it will look good as a back wall with the light shining through.

The idea was inspired by this meme

In other news

Started clearing the pontoon area and riverside

This is a before picture as there is a
lot to do with the dog rose

More bramble to clear in this area

A start - you can see the river 
Will plant willow along this are to stabilise the banks 

Meanwhile Susie planted the rets of her daffodil bulbs in the rose beds.

I transplanted some Snowdrops to the top mermaid, and planted the remainder of the daffodils in the soakaway area for the Tavern Loos.

So much to do!!!

Cheers

22nd February 2026 - Planting again

Thought for the day :"Definitions: Flabbergasted (adj): appalled over how much weight you have gained."

Wet - spent most of the day dry then rained when walking the dogs 

Seems I have not hared one of my Birthday Cards - Thanks Zephyr and Sarah

Romany Caravan looking spring-like next door.

Had to go and adjust the fairy lights and the timers 

Old tree had fallen down - so had to get the chain saw out to reduce and set up logs so Susie could prune her roses and plant her daffodils

  

New home for the Fairy Folk

The before picture 

Sings of Spring

And a touch of sun while walking (before it tipped down)

A visit from Tasha Parsely who has offered to  do some painting of the Crimson Moon Signs for us ..

Took some pictures as reference 

 
Cheers 

21st February 2026 - Royal Order Southern Counties

Thought for the day :"Definitions: Coffee (n): the person upon whom one coughs."

Wet

Early start for the day!

Up at 5am to get to Bridgend to meet up with Carl and friends to head up by car to Reading for the Provincial Meeting of Royal Order of Scotland of the Southern Counties.

Roy Leavers gave his final ceremony as PGM and the Deputy Grand Master and Governor came down from Edinburgh to install his successor.

Was a long day - with dining not starting until 2pm!! Return home by 8.30pm

Not pictures

Just a long and successful day

Cheers

20th February 2026 - Herbie and Castell Penfro

Thought for the day :"Currently on the the new Adam Ant diet. Don't chew ever, don't chew ever."

Wet

Out walking along the Donkey Trail,  and a lot of gorse has been laid along the pathway. Not sure if it can seed itself or grow - will be interesting to see..

Daffs and Snowbells on the bank by the bridge 

But met up with Naomi and James holidaying in the village with Herbert the Dog (Herbie for short) and he was an immediate hit with tilly and Toby and they had a great time.

Then evening down to Narberth for Castell Penfro Court for Athelstan.

Good work by the Master Nick Parker, and a surprise visit from Graham Gubb as Provincial Senior Warden who agreed to act as Junior Warden for us.  Candidate David Tiddy, son of an old friend Patrick, who has sadly passed but well remembered.

Small in numbers but a lovely ceremony. Master did most of the work, but I added the Junior Warden Walking Charge, and the Senior Warden Hour Glass and the congratulations at the end.

Was well pleased with the quality of the ceremony.

19th February 2026 - Daffs, Tulips, and Fairy Lights

Thought for the day :"I Don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but isn't it suspicious that these storms, keep happening in alphabetical order?"

Wet

Took the opportunity of sowing some of the daffs and tulips today. Hoping that the squirrels don't did then up again as they did last time .

It is a bit late but we will see whether anything comes up.

Meanwhile - completed the fairy light replacement for the patio. The oldest lights were the ones we inherited from the previous keepers, then I have been adding on to them over the last few years. Latest additions were the old street light fairy chain that started to fail every other bulb so wrapped them along the patio. Even these started to die so I have now strippped all the old ones away completely and replaced with two sets of 20 meter lighting. Looks fairly good and I am happy with it. 

Susie to dentist today in Llanelli, Toby went for a walk again. Had to keep him on the lead this evening.

Tilly is being good - just Rat Bag.

Cheers