Monthly Archives: July 2016

Beer and Skittles … but mainly skittles

Games where you roll or throw something at some sort of target to make it fall over are documented since at least medieval times, maybe even in ancient Egypt.  Such games have only evolved marginally since then!   Whether its kegel, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What is an English Garden?

What is an “English Garden”? We all know the answer don’t we? Especially in 2016 The Year of the Garden. Even though not all of the readers of this blog are in England I’m sure the words “English Garden” conjure up familiar and comfortable … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lady Dorothy and Dangstein’s ‘aerial orchestra’

  It could have been the headline in a red-top scandal-sheet: Earl’s young daughter found in ‘a compromising situation’ in the summer house.   Today no-one would care, but in 1846 by being found hidden away in the garden, unchaperoned and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tredegar…Restoration grandeur and a dancing kangaroo

No sooner had I finished writing this post [many many months ago now] but Tredegar House was the subject of a TV programme with Griff Rhys Jones.  So, as I didn’t want to be thought a copycat, I decided to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The further adventures of Francis Masson – the man with itchy feet

Last week’s post finished with Francis Masson returning to Kew in 1775 after a  successful plant collecting expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  But he was clearly a man with itchy feet so the following year he was off again … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment