Autumn’s last hurrah.

At last there is some sunshine - for the morning, at least. We seize the opportunity to head for Bodnant - possibly our last visit of the year. 

Of course, the glorious colours of the Acer Grove have long since faded, but there are still hints of gold and bronze throughout the gardens. 

Again, I make it to The Far End, and it’s here around the lake that I’m most inspired in terms of photographs. Opened in March 2015, it’s the ‘newest’ section of the garden open to visitors, although it’s actually one of the oldest parts of the garden, kept secret from the hoards for many years. It was ‘originally laid out by Bodnant’s creator Henry Pochin from the 1870s who envisaged it as The Wild Garden in the style of Victorian garden designer William Robinson. Pochin began by creating paths along the riverside and planting conifers, some of which are now Champion Trees. Pochin’s daughter Laura and grandson Henry McLaren laid out the large Skating Pond and Boat House and continued planting trees and shrubs from all around the world’. 

Completing the circuit - again I’m so delighted that I can - we head into the cafe for hot chocolate. It’s decidedly chilly today, and I’ve been fantasising about this since the half way mark, but there’s something about hot chocolate that means it’s often better in anticipation! Still, it’s warming and the cafe’s looking seasonal with its huge central Christmas tree, decorated this morning by the volunteers. 

Just as we arrive home, the rain returns - we’ve certainly made the most of its brief absence! 

Today’s blip is a view through late autumn foliage across the Skating Pond to the Boat House, with a collage of other views in extras.