The Kymin, Museum and Admiral Nelson Gardens in Monmouth.

I've never understood the link with Lord Admiral Nelson and the Kymin as a Naval Temple in Monmouth. Although Lydney Docks are a mere 15 miles away over the boarder in England, there was no Naval Dockyard in Wales until 1815 in Pembroke, some 10 years after Nelson's death and the HMS Victory was built in Chatham Docks in Kent. 

However the nearby Forest of Dean was declared by Lord Nelson to be the 'finest timber in the kingdom'.

Nelson visited Wales to visit Sir William Hamilton and tour his Pembrokshire estates in 1802. The Kymin at the time was a hunting lodge.

At this point Nelson and Lady Hamilton the wife of Sir William, had been having an affair for 4 years.

The Kymin was reached up a very steep and narrow, windy road, it was a nerve wracking drive but worth the trip up the hill for the views alone.

View from the Kymin of Monmouth

Originally a hunting and picnic lodge, an extension was built for someone to live in to look after the property, it's now owned by the National Trust.

Nelson Museum located at the top of town in the Old Market Hall. Entrance is free and there is a magnificent collection of Nelson material. 

The Nelson gardens are one of Monmouth's hidden secrets, located behind lloyds Bank off the high street. It can also be approached via Chippenfield Park which used to be a race course.

Entry is via a10ft-long tunnel leading to the base of the old town wall, which formed the perimeter of medieval Monmouth

It was originally the site of a tennis court in the 17th century and a bowling green in 1718.

Further Roman and Norman remains are thought to be buried deep beneath the lawn.

Maintained by a team of volunteers there is plenty of information to be discovered as you walk round the garden from the people working there and information panels.

The gardens feature a hot wall, heated by hot water in pipes to encourage more exotic plants to grow.

Pavilion

Old town wall.

There's a lot more to see in Monmouth including the Castle which was the birthplace of Henry V and the Llangattock family whose son Charles Rolls was joint founder of Rolls Royce.

Ettal Abbey, Linderhof Palace and Oberammergau. 6 days in Bavaria. Places to visit and things to do.

A whole day was needed to visit the 3 places below and a car, although it can be reached by public transport and is just over an hour south of Munich.

Ettal Abbey/Kloster Ettal - A benedictine monastery with more than 50 monks. Founded in 1330 by emperor Ludwig the Bavarian. There's a car park, tea rooms and a gift shop. Guided tours are available.

Linderhof Palace - Built by Ludwig II, crowned in 1864, started building this palace in 1868. It was a former forester's house belonging to his father, it was originally used for hunting expeditions. Although the palace is much smaller than Versailles, it is evident that Ludwig was fascinated by the French Sun King Louis XIV, the staircase is a replica. The symbol of the sun is found everywhere in the decorations. Ludwig's bedroom facing north and shows a self image of him as the Night King. Photography is not permitted inside the palace.

The formal gardens are divided into 5 sections, with Neptune Fountain, Music Pavilion, a bust of Louis XIV, a sculpture of Venus and Adonis, a fountain and terraced gardens.  

Oberammergau known for it's woodcarvers, NATO school and across the world for its 380 year old Passion Play. 

The play resulted in a vow made by the inhabitants that if God spared them from the bubonic plague then they would perform a passion play for 10 years. A man travelling home for Christmas brought the plague with him and it started to spread, once the vow was made, no one else died and everyone suffering with the plague recovered.

The play is now only performed in years ending with a zero and is made up of around 2,000 resident 

actors.

As with all villages and towns in Bavaria the buildings are are famed for their Leftlmalerei or frescoes, of traditional Bavarian themes, fairy tales, religious scenes or architectural tromphe-l'oeil.

Omberammergau is also home to Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shops, selling traditional Christmas decorations and Bavarian crafts.

How does you Garden Glow with Dubai Garden Glow and HDYGG

We should've entered Za'abeel park through gate 6, but I find the roads a little complicated around that part of town and at 5pm, the Sheikh Zayed Road is a little busy and I really didn't want to negate the traffic. We were able to access the Garden Glow via a foot bridge, but sign posting wasn't too good and it took a while to find it. Just remember to turn at the Chinese Pagoda and all will be ok. You can buy tickets at any of the gates and they cost AED 60 each.

 Upon exiting the footbridge you are greeted by the dinosaurs, I wasn't too impressed with this part of the attraction, we walked through quickly and took few photo's, although I'm sure if I'd gone with small children it would've held more excitement. 

Colour changing trees

Interactive musical lights.

 Back into Za'abeel park and home. There were many families having picnics and BBQ's in designated areas, there was even a wedding party, with tables and chairs and caterers.

Dubai Garden Glow is only open during the winter months.