Spent much of last week watching the pond you can just see through the window here, of The Courtyard House, Pentregall, Wales.It was alive with bees, on the fleabane, loosestrife and mints growing round the edge, and absolutely thriving with dragonflies, from hawkers to darters down to blue damselflies. Many were busy mating, flying in tandem or curled in a wheel. It was one of the best ways to spend a holiday!
Although I also went kayaking thanks to the generosity of my family and I have to say I can't decide which wins: that, or the pond, for highlight. The kayaking was wonderful, out on the open sea from Fishguard, managed by Kayak-Kings, Charles and Anthony, who were wonderful guides and instructors. I learned about the lcihens on the rocks, especially the black lichen that looks like oil-stains, as well as edible seaweeds, sponges, barnacles and limpets.
This event was a surprise, and when I realised what we were going to do my heart stopped - I'm not fond of water and I thought Oh Lord, No! But it was one of the best things I've ever done and not anyhting like as strenuous as I expected (probably because Anthony was my co-kayak partner!0
My thanks to both of them (and to my family) It was excellent.
