Super Powis

What a lovely day we had on Thursday.

Husband and I were off visiting for the weekend, but as per usual, we tried to combine travelling with a visit somewhere... we hate to just waste a day in the car. But we struggled to find somewhere in the Welsh Marches that we wanted to visit, and hadn't done before. Eventually, we thought we 'might try' Powis Castle and Gardens and see if we liked it.

If.


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It was beautiful. A Castle with its real atmosphere remaining, in spite of the usual and necessary, "Do Not Touch, Photograph, or Breathe Extra Heavily" type notices. The long Tudor Gallery, the peaceful, cosy bedrooms built into the thick curtain wall. Paintings of bored women, and men you'd have gone to war for. Rich furnishings, and half-hidden weapons (like the sword carried by Arthur, Prince of Wales, brother to the future Henry VIII)

All this and gardens that seem only an ordered foreground to a natural backdrop of breathtaking loveliness.


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The gardens were still in their 1700s italianate terraced style, untouched by the fashion for naturally landscaped parks of the 19th century. Layers of sun-drenched terraces, shaded yew walks, and 'wilderness' woodlands.

Then, of course, there was the gaudy and quite charming gentleman who flirted with me.


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But my usual luck held. He mooned me seconds later.


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