Times Past

At one time most of the houses, farms, mines and woodland around the local area and beyond belonged to a large estate called the Picton Estate.

During the beginning of the 20th Century, large estates such as this broke up and where sold off into smaller pieces. The old legacy of Picton estate can be seen with the remnants of the old mines around this area.

Across the valley from us once stood a large house in extensive lands much of which was surrounded by high built rock walls. Within these walls was The Deer Park, which is self explanatory in it's name.

Within the walls also stood a large house, but it has long since been demolished. Above the original house position now stands a modest old welsh farmhouse.

Much of the extensive wall has either fallen down or been removed over the years, but some areas still remain for us to wonder at the incredible wealth these estates must have had to build on such a grand scale.

Nature takes over after a few decades.

This Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) followed the top of the wall as it grew, then the wall beneath it fell away leaving this wonderful tree span.

Trees rooted into the old lime mortar grew through the rocks of the wall then pushed the wall apart by natural hydraulic pressure.

An Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior)  leans over the wall like a huge green backed beast.

 

 

 

An old access into the walled area of the estate from the woodland.

 

 

 

The wall spanned the river Ludd that runs through the valley. Only the keystones of the arch prevent the arch from collapsing into the river. At one time  metal railings must have existed to stop the deer from escaping the park when the river drops to low levels.

Snowdrops bloom.

Our Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are now out fully. They are a bit later than normal for this year due to the colder weather hanging on longer. Though ours are always behind other people's as they are growing in the cool shade of trees on a bit of a Northerly slope.

One of the first Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) to come out is the rich purple flowered form.

They are quite exotic to look at yet very hardy and given the right conditions, easy to grow. They love quite deep soils full of humus and thrive in partial shade of trees.

Another late comer this year is the Welsh Daffodil (Narcissus obvallaris).

Small and delicate looking yet hardy as they come. This clump has been growing in this position for decades. It originally was part of the garden to the farm workers cottage, which was abandoned 70-80 years ago. It was demolished before WW2 and replaced with a shed. But the Daffodils continue to grow and bloom in the same area regardless.

The Trackway

Leading from the mineshaft and also servicing the other mines in the area was the trackway. This was an area of track that carried the anthracite dug out of the mines down to the final destination of Saundersfoot harbour.

The anthracite was drawn along the track by horses until quite late in the period of the mines.

Now the trackway is a quiet and peaceful place to what it must have been over 100 years ago with all the mining activity going on.

When we first came here this area of the trackway ran through mature trees of  Western Hemlock (Tsuga hetrophylla) and Larch (Larix laricina). But most of this was cleared felled a number of years ago. Now the woodland area is regenerating with Silver Birch (Betula alba), Oak (Quercus petraea)  and Beech (Fagus sylvatica).

It is wonderful to walk along the Trackway as many birds abound in this kind of woodland and their presence is heard along the length.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to read a little more about the Mines in this area of Pembrokeshire, then visit Pembrokeshire Virtual Museum.

Old Industries

All around us are the signs of Old Industry in the past. The most obvious are the mines that abound around here. Many are known by only a few people, which is the best thing. If some of the old shafts were to become too well known then the Coal Board would come along and fill them in.

This would be a crime. Fine the Coal Board are legally responsible for safety of the shafts, but many do not truly pose much of a safety issue. Instead they are wonderful to see, with nature softening the old scars that they once were.

This old air shaft is quite a way from us and is situated at the top of the woodland. The whole thing is surrounded by old earth embankment that must have been made when the shaft was dug.

A number of years back one of our dogs fell down this shaft, which is now only about 10 feet deep. I had to run back for a ladder to get her out.

 

Bottom of the  air shaft.

Here we are looking down the hill in the woodland to the bottom where the actual Mine shaft is situated.

This is the Mineshaft itself. Completely filled with water. The mine goes back into the hill about 15 feet, but at the back is the square opening of the shaft itself in the floor, completely under water.

The water seepage runs even in the driest Summers and is full of Iron Oxide.

The old mineshaft is fairly well hidden, only now when leaves are not on the trees can anything be seen. The black area just under the centre branch of the tree in the photo is the shaft.

This whole area is quite waterlogged and Willow trees grow lush around it, a quiet and beautiful spot that once must have been noisy and dirty.

The mines in this area closed in the early 20th century. A hundred years of nature at work gradually heals the scars.

Pure and Clean Air

Living here in Pembrokeshire, we are guaranteed pure clean air. Which means a super abundance of Lichen growing on trees around us.

It is a sign of very pure air, the more frondy the Lichen the purer the air is.

Pembrokeshire is well known for the diversity of Lichen that grow here, many of the Churches around the Stackpole area are recognised as being important for the communities of Lichen that grow on the old rock of the Church buildings.

Last night we had a visitor into the garden that made more impact than usual. A Badger came in and grubbed up a Jerusalem Artichoke tuber. It was one I missed when digging them out, but the Badger with its keen smell found it.

Badgers love Artichokes and if you want to give them a winter feed treat, then grow some, they are very easy and trouble free. Plus they make great soup.

A feeling of Spring

The days are beginning to feel more Spring like. Weather has warmed up and bright sun during the days really feels good.

Primroses (Primula vulgaris) are showing more and more with the warmer days.

The Pieries (Pieries japonica) is about ready to flower. It is something to look forward to  having a delicious sweet musky scent to the flowers. They are beloved by Bumblebees who find it a valuable source of food in the early part of the season.

A friend in the garden.

A small friend came round to help in the garden, staying with me all the time while I was at work there.

Tenby Daffodils ( Narcissus obvallaris) are now in bloom. These are delicate sized yet strong Daffodils that quickly naturalize in the garden.

 

Tenby Daffiodils