Showing posts with label Pembrokeshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pembrokeshire. Show all posts

Monday, 19 May 2008

Holiday in Pembrokeshire: Boat trip out to Grassholm

My last island "target" in Pembrokeshire was rocky, relatively remote,
Grassholm- so named for the seasonal grassy pastureage it once offered
for sheep from the mainland. The soil long has since blown away, and now it is home to the British Isle's third largest gannet colony. The RSPB say "Grassholm is of both national and international importance. It is an outstanding seabird spectacle, unrivalled anywhere in Wales for this species." So, definately worth the effort to go out and see for myself!


This is Grassholm as seen from Skomer.

The top of the island is whitened with the mass of nesting gannets, and their guano!
The RSPB gives an estimate of 32,000 pairs of birds nesting here



Gannets were visible almost throughout the hour long boat journey, either singley out hunting for fish or seaweed to add to their nest,
Ramsey Island is on the horizon here...
(An arty enhanced version of a less dramatic original shot!)
or in greater masses as we neared the island.



The noise of the nesting birds added to the total experience. I was spared the odourous effects...as indeed are you!

So ended my holday in lovely Pembrokeshire!

Sunday, 18 May 2008

Holiday in Pembrokeshire: Visit to Skomer Island


I'm glad I visited Skomer, a wonderful place for communing with the wilds. It is Wales' second largest island, but still small enough to take in on a days visit.






That is, if have time once you can tear yourself away from the close up views of Puffins!














Because they are so photogenic, unphased by human proximity, and so close at hand, the Puffin
colony becomes the most humanly crowded place on the island....






Skomer Moments
Uploaded by agracarter

Saturday, 17 May 2008

Holiday in Pembrokeshire: A Visit to Picton Castle



On a wet Saturday afternoon I visited Picton Castle. I got in on my "Historic Houses Association" ticket and the tour of the castle was quite interesting, particularly the way that the first room visited, in one of the corner "towers" had curved everything....windows, doors, the lot!


Once the tour ended, however (and the rain appeared to have stopped) I made a circuit of the surrounding gardens, abloom with various Rhodedendrons, and aglistening with raindrops...which was a nice combination!



Fallen trees are incorporated into the garden, not tidied away. I liked that too!















Walled garden and fernery also included:







Friday, 16 May 2008

Holiday in Pembrokeshire: floral fiesta

May is certainly a month not to miss in Pembrokeshire, with the coastal wildflowers at their most lovely and prolific. Here's a little gallery of some I encountered:















Thursday, 15 May 2008

Holiday in Pembrokeshire: Coastal walks 13th- 19th May

After a beautiful holiday in Pembrokeshire, herewith some images from
my walks around St. Bride's Bay:






St. Bride's Bay
Video sent by agracarter2



And here are a few I particularly like again: