So this week I’ve been in North Wales doing some more work on my grasslands project for the National Trust, and I visited Bodnant Gardens which apparently are world famous, although I hadn’t heard of them and you probably haven’t either, which is a shame because they are absolutely magnificent! Because I wasn’t being a tourist (I was working!), I didn’t take lots of photos of all the lovely herbaceous borders and lawns and the mansion house, so I can’t show you those. I did, however, have to take photos of the amazing laburnum tunnel and the magnificent old trees that dominate and seem to exist in a different dimension and time to you and I. Anyway have a look first at the delightful laburnum tunnel, hand crafted by the very gifted National Trust gardeners who were all really nice to me and showed me around…..
And now feast your eyes on these humungous trees…..
Here’s an idea of the house and lawns (which I secretly love and would like to play tennis on given half a chance!)…
I can also report that the cream teas served were absolutely divine. It was a tough job but someone had to do it 🙂
Mike Howe 
great photos; those trees are amazing!
Thanks Lisa, yes it was a wonderful place to visit!
The trees and flowers are very beautiful, Mike.
Thank you Bente, it was a real privilege to see them 🙂
wow I want a flower tunnel…. gorgeous.
Thank you, it was amazing 🙂
Such a wonderful place to visit and work at. The laburnum looks absolutely gorgeous…never seen anything like it. I have seen wisteria like this though (Japan), but never laburnum. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you and yes the laburnum tunnel was quite amazing, hence all the pictures! Thanks
So beautiful! Happy you got some photos – as you guessed, I’ve never heard of it.
Thank you I’m glad you like the visual display!
glorious pics…thanks
Thank you 🙂
This is beautiful! We lived quite near there for 20 years, but incredibly, we never managed to get there to see the laburnum arch in flower. Gorgeous photos!
I was a bit ambivalent at first, thought I’d better go and have a look just to be polite 🙂 I’m so glad I did, it was fabulous and I’m lucky I was there at just the right time. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Thank you for showing me around in paradise this Saturday morning, Mike! – Up to now, I only spent one night in Wales (Cardiff) but I remember that the tea was delicious! (Nearly as good as the Irish tea 😉 ) And in such a sourrounding it must taste ten times as good, anyways… *dreamy smile*
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and sending much love,
Steffi
Thanks Steffi – Irish tea eh? Not sure I’ve had one of those but you’ve piqued my interest, I’m always up for comparing international teas! Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Thank you, Mike!
Well, if you wish to try some Irish tea I would highly recommend (am I allowed to say it?) Bewley’s tea, which is my absolute favourite of all teas ever – especially their gold blend.
Or how about some German Ostfriesen tea? – We have quite a tea culture, here, in north Germany, too. 😉
I’m still dwelling on the beautiful images you shared! I already know where to gor when I am back to Wales, now!
Thanks Steffi, if I can source them I will certainly have a taste of your recommended teas. I’m glad to know you have a thriving tea culture in N Germany, so many countries have a very odd taste in tea I’ve found 🙂
Unfortunately I can validate that impression, Mike. Same with coffee (omg good coffee in e.g. Ireland is SO rare). If you go to the coast of the North Sea of the Baltic Sea in Germany you get really good tea, everywhere – freshly made with loose leaves and all. I really enjoy that. And as Hamburg has a big harbour we can get all kinds of great teas and coffees for at home, too.
Let me know if you want me to pick some nice Ostfriesen tea for you and send it over! 😉
(Sorry for getting off topic… I’ll behave, now.)
Haha thank you Steffi that is very kind of you and that’s ok, tea is a fine topic 🙂 x
😀
The tunnel is amazing! overwhelming color.
It was! Someone said “go and have a look at the laburnum tunnel” and i thought “oh ok if i must”, not realising what a spectacle awaited – glad i did now 🙂
Such hard work studying that grass land at Bodnant Gardens. No wonder you needed to bolster your strength with a cream tea 😉 What a beautiful place. Was the laburnum tunnel very fragrant?
Twas absolutely lovely and beautifully fragrant, people would definitely want to get married in there but I doubt that they can 🙂
Perhaps if they asked very very nicely it would be possible.