Maes Mynan Park

SATURDAY

Another blisteringly hot day under cloudless blue skies.

I spent the morning snatching a few minutes here and there outdoors, doing some dead heading and watering in the 32ºC heat. Sitting in the garage which is located under the house provided some much-needed respite.

This afternoon, we headed over to Maes Mynan Park, which was open to the public today as part of the National Gardens Scheme charity events. As the crow flies, it's less than two miles from home but over twice the distance by road.

The “garden” – part of a holiday lodge site – was a bit light on plants, but it  lived up to its description as a peaceful, tranquil location in a parkland setting, with lakes, woodland walks, and far-reaching views across the Clwydian Range, Moel y Parc, and the Denbigh Moors.

There was also an artisan and farmers' market, with some lovely food and craft items. We visited late-afternoon, and sadly, a few stalls were still well-stocked with unsold (but very tempting) pies, bread, and cakes that wouldn’t hold up well in the heat. We felt for the stallholders.

We rounded off the visit with the obligatory tea and cake – enjoyed indoors in a pleasantly cool building – before heading home.

Even with all the doors and windows open, it was still 29ºC inside the house at 9:00 p.m. We watched the Live Aid concerts on TV, marking the 40th anniversary this week. It’s sobering to see how many of those performers – Bowie, Mercury, George Michael, Mel Smith – are no longer with us.

The photo taken from Maes Mynan Park, shows Moel y Parc and the Clwydian Range.