A beautiful spot and I thank Morag Colquhoun for recommending this rural idyll. Brian and I like less curvy & aesthetically pleasing Nigella Lawsons get the dinner on a mild curry with peas, pineapple, tomatoes, olives and a sprinkling of special spices. There is a small glass of slightly warm white wine for everyone with their meal tonight. A fire is built and the talk turns to beard wearing maggots and the demise of David Bellamy.
It rains in the night and we rise at 8am. Setting off from one rural idyll to the next – It’s the National Botanical Garden of Wales. Although I have visited the gardens plenty of times, the directions I am given by Jane seem to be slightly confusing. They read as follows:
The easiest way to get to the Garden, as far as I am concerned (and it’s also very scenic) is to follow the A40 from Llandeilo to Carmarthen. On getting to Nantgaredig, turn left at staggered Cross Roads into Station Road. This will take you over River Towy up to T junc, turn right and 100 yards later, turn left. Follow this road going up hill- after a mile from the junction, you will see a house on the left with Air Ambulance display caravans in carpark, followed by sharp left hand bend, you will then come to straight stretch of road and as road veers round to right, there is a lane going off to the left. Turn left here, follow lane to the very end and at T Junc turn left and then immediately right into our corporate entrance. You will know when you are at the end of this lane because there is a very big house on your left that has recently been done up and still in process. The lane would be approx 1.5 miles long. When you come into back entrance, take the 2nd turning on your right, go past green houses and keep going until you see back of long cottage and lots of cars parked outside.
We eventually arrive and are met by Jane Downs from the Botanical Gardens and are split into two groups. Brian and I adopt the role of team captains.
