The Abbey by the Lake

Thats the thing when lovely places are on the doorstep, we have Bradgate park (left to the people of Leicestershire by the Gray family....the illfated Lady Jane) its a beautiful deer park at the end of the pennines but although we went regularly when young I go so much less now......

Your photo's are very good Hywel you have quite a skill, and you learning the names of the wild flowers means thatI am too

Fantastic blog again Mr Hywel! You have so many interstin and beautiful places near to you. Love the old ruins ..love it all! And you have thistles there too! great blog!

That's so often the way though, isn't it? We travel far to see certain things, but take for granted what is on our doorstep. It looks a great place. The parish church looks lovely and I would be happy to have that as my final resting place. Shame you didn't find many wild flowers. The photos are very atmospheric. :-)

Lucky you having an area like that so near...Such a beautiful place...lovely blog...:>)

Heaven on earth. Typical of us silly humans that we ignore it if it is free. I love your blogs.

ps I went looking for the two missing blogs one from yesterday and one from today according to my list. Did you remove them?

Thanks for all your comments :o) It gives me confidence when I get positive comments from friends ...

Scotsgran - the two missing blogs were mistakes - I was adding photos on a blog about my garden plants, when something fell on the keyboard of my laptop, ... and it got published twice lol even though it wasn't ready ... so I deleted it ... twice :o)

I wondered what was going on. Thats okay then. I'll look forward to the garden one.

Great blog, again Hywel. Love the unspoilt countryside in your area. I have to drive a few miles before I get any of that! Its a wonder there's any of that old ruin left, if people were nicking the stones. Im glad they left some, although I must admit I would be quite tempted to take some too.

Lovely old ruin,Hywel..no,not you ..the Abbey ! Lol.I think a lot of us are the same,that live amongst beautiful countryside..we sometimes take it all for granted ,and its 'just there '..but when you really look.you see it's beauty ...love those thistles..that is something else we don't look at closely..beautiful flowers..thanks for sharing again..L:o)

Great blog, Hywel - thank you!

Brilliant set of pictures Hywell, the whole area is very beautiful and those skies are tremendous;0))

This is very educational trip for me as i don't really know this place and it makes me knowledgeable more about your country, Many thanks Hywel, very inspiring details:-)))))

As usual Hywel, another stunning blog!!
Incredible pics and history.

Don't know Carmarthenshire that well - but have found that your blog was second to me actually visiting personally. I know how absolutely beautiful your Welsh countryside is :o)))

lovely blog with great photos Hywel, love seeing the thistles in full bloom, very pretty, looks a lovely place to wonder and think :o))

Love these photos, the clouds look really dramatic and I really like the creeping thistle :o)

Great blog Hywel, smashing photo`s and the historical facts are always an added bonus, thats the sort of place we would visit if we were in the area, it is true about seeing places close by, we travel hundreds of miles visiting stately homes and places of historical interest and yet there are still loads nearby that I`ve never been to, its daft isn`t it?
I haven`t visited your area though so its always a treat to take a trip with you....

Lovely blog Hywel. Some beautiful scenery (and skies). I bet those abbey ruins look spooky in the dark ;-))

Thanks for all your comments about my blog :o)
I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Bloomer I look worse than the ruin lol ;D

Sheilar that's somewhere I wouldn't go in the dark :O

Yes Sue you're right. When we just get on with every day life, we don't notice the beauty. It becomes part of the background.

What a lovely place to be buried, under the yew tree. It looks a really special place, very spiritual and that's from the photos. so in real life it must have quite a feeling. Jx

I echo what Jane says Hywel, a beautiful place to RIP.

Beautiful scenery and buildings, Hywel.
Lovely blog :o)

No you don't Hywel...don't forget we have seen you in various poses..and outfits ! Lol.

It looks lovely, Hywel and I echo what others have said about missing what is on our doorstep. We have recently discovered some hidden gems within 5-10 miles of home and resolved to explore our own backyard further.

Thank you for all your comments.

The thing I noticed most about this blog were the blue skies. What a lovely sight after the awful weather. Very interesting blog Hywel, I enjoyed it.

Loved this blog and photos there again enjoy all your blogs. beautiful place to go round.

Beautiful views Hywel !!!

ditto paul! love the colour of the thistles, so bold! :-)

Great blog Hywel, love the stories and mysteries attached to ruins. The view from my kitchen window is of a Cathar Castle called Montsegur and I gaze at it while I do the washing up!Lots a legends including Holy Grail ones abound...

A wonderful journey. Many thanks.

My thanks also Hywel. I didnt realise they knew about keystones in 1185. Seems they did.
Stone was often taken by locals in the night in Northamptonshire to build with.