Wild flowers and Weeds in Wales. My Summer in Monmouth.

“A weed is but an unloved flower.” 
― Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I can't get enough of this UK weather.

I live in Dubai, you'd think I would've had enough of the sun by now, but for quite a large chunk of the year, it's too hot in Dubai to enjoy the sunshine.

As well as the sun, I can't get enough of the countryside, the greenery, flowers and even the weeds.

Did you know that Monmouth has a castle? The birth place of Henry V

Spring in the UK - Bluebells, views, woodland walks and daffodils

Malvern Hills

I love every season in the UK, I love the greenery, the landscape, the weather. The UK is my home, but I now live in Dubai. 

Spring in Dubai marks the end of a life outdoors as summer and temps in the high 40s get closer.

The River Monnow

I'd forgotten how colourful the UK was in Spring and I loved the displays of Bluebells, daffodils, lilac and tulips, literally popping up in pockets colours in gardens and on the side of the roads.

Bluebell Woods, Malvern Hills.

Lilac over looking Malvern

Daffodils on the side of the road.

Flowers in my mums garden

Even the hedgerows, paths and walls looked pretty

Dandelions, weeds and nettles.

But what I miss the most are trees and greenery, woodland walks, walking through fields and enjoying the landscape.

I'm looking forwarded to returning to the UK the end of June and seeing how much it has changed in summer. 

What's your favourite season and why?

South Wales to Dubai, so much changes with HDYGG

Last month I made a quick visit to the UK for a funeral and sign the papers on an apartment we bought in South Wales.

The weather in Dubai is now pleasant enough to be spending as much time as possible outdoors, sadly though we still don't really have seasons, although I have felt chilly in the mornings before sunrise, despite the temperatures being in the low 20's.

I was surprised on my trip to the UK in Autumn that I wasn't cold, I certainly felt the rain and realised after 2 days that despite thinking I missed it, I don't really.

My last trip to the UK was in July and August this year, it was very green and I hadn't realised just quite how much I'd missed it. On this trip it was lovely to see the changing colours of the landscape and I especially enjoyed the falling leaves and stopped to take quite a few photo's as I drove around.

I didn't have any other option, other than to stop.

Mum's garden.

The view from the apartment.

This is our new back garden in South Wales, will be making full use of it in the Spring.

Peter sent flowers while I was in the UK for our 14th wedding anniversary.

Back in Dubai, this afternoon having a coffee at the end of another week teaching.

The Chriatmas Decorations are up and I'm looking forward to seeing the magic has to offer in Dubai this year. Last year's Christmas trees can be found here.

Enjoying the outdoors at Global Village.

This is what happened while I was away for a week, a footbridge was erected and the canal was filled.

I can't wait to explore the canal side in the daylight, there is a lot of work to be done still, such as building hotels, restaurants and a mall and develop the strips of sand that line the banks (do canals have banks or sides?)

A visit to Malvern and a trip down memory lane

For 3 weeks in August/September, Peter and I were traveling around the UK, visiting family and friends.

We moved to Malvern in 2002, where we raised our 5 children for 8 years, before moving to South Africa and now Dubai.

We've made a couple of trips back to Malvern over the past 6 years, where we rent out our family home and make time to catch up with friends.

On this visit we spent 3 nights at The Montrose Hotel in the town and took a trip down memory lane.

The Garden at the hotel

The Winter Gardens or Priory Park

This tree is over 150 years old

Our youngest wouldn't walk over this wooden bridge and we'd always have to wait for him to go the long way round. Behind is the town's swimming pool.

The bandstand with the theatre in the back ground

The tree of life, where we'd sponsor a light in memory of my Gran

The view of the bandstand from the theatre

One of the many paths 

C S Lewis was a pupil at Malvern College and along with J R R Tolkien was a regular visitor to Malvern and took his inspiration for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from these Victorian gas street lights. Tolkien is also recorded as saying the Malvern Hills reminded him of 'The White Hills of Gondor'

Great Malvern Priory

The grave of Charles Darwin's only child, Annie, who died aged 10

Malvern Spring Water is still bottled in the town. The Wells have been 'dressed' since the 12th century to give thanks to St Oswald for the water cures. Queen Victoria refused to travel without Malvern Spring Water and Elizabeth 1st would drink the water in public. 

Great Malvern and statue of Edward Elgar, composer of Pomp and Circumstance, better known as Land of Hope and Glory.

Looking down the town

Great malvern Train Station, opened in 1862

A game of petanque being played in the distance

Designed by sculptor William Forsyth 

Public toilets in Barnards Green

Morgan Motor Car Company

Pickersleigh Park, home to Malvern Town Wanderers Football Club, where most of my Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons were spent for 8 years 

Malvern Common

The best sledging spot in the whole of Malvern

View of the Malvern Hills

View from the Malvern Hills