Just occurred to us we moved into a derelict Gwydir 30 yrs ago today! Same day the house was sacked in 1645 by 900 cavaliers (odd coincidence?) The challenges have been huge but so to the joys & all I can say is that the love for this place grows deeper with every passing yr.

It may be that the clocks go back tonight and that the wind’s howling and the rain’s horizontal but at least the last of the summer roses are GLORIOUS.

The gable end is all that’s left of this little cottage in the woods. Such a quiet, enchanted place.

We’re watching the mist come down and listening to the rain washing through the gutters.

A pink sky this morning and peacocks descending from the cedars for their breakfast.

A rainy day. The old house creaks and sighs, turns over and goes back to sleep.

Remember the filming last year? Well, no cosy period drama this. It was a high-concept sci-fi thriller starring Kevin Spacey & Ben Miles. Watch out for it in 2027 and see Gwydir like never before! planetxltd.com/the-red-siste…

I’ve got one foot in the Otherworld today.

A strange and magical meeting…

Here’s Ronald & Co earlier, happy and healthy, and for once not being told off by his mum.

This dog can jump!

The old ways…

It’s all stark light and rainbows today.

This place. Nature’s masterpiece. This crucible of cloud where ravens call and rivers begin and the wild horses toss their manes for the sheer freedom of it.

A day warm enough for a Small Copper Butterfly to flex its wings on the yarrow. A blink and she’s gone. But we met, albeit briefly, and I’ll treasure that through winter.

Coming home on a moonlit night.

An amazing fireplace this: at 14ft it’s the largest in the house. The flue opening at the top is about 60ft up. Most of our early days at Gwydir were spent trying to keep warm in here!

Such soft, warm air this morning. Creeper turning red. Saw a hawk in the garden earlier: pointed, dagger-quick, gone as soon as glimpsed.

And here’s Ronald this morning: a happy little chap and growing by the minute.

As many of you know, we’re a v small team at Gwydir. There’s just me, Peter & Paddy running the ship - this year cleaning, gardening and everything in between. We’ll be closing for the season soon so this just to say a big thank you to Paddy for all his help and support this year

Joy (in small dog form!)