Spring has sprung

And we're getting ready for the new tourism season. New exhibitions, new events.

But first let's take some time to enjoy the new leaves on the trees, the song of the birds as they compete for nesting spots and the busyness of the castle squirrels.

The grounds smell good too at the moment mostly due to the violets that have seeded all along the base of the wall in the Victorian garden. As one walks through the gap into the inner bailey there's a great waft of sweetness.

Dydd Gwŷl Dewi Sant hapus!!

Or Happy St David's Day for other folk.



This glass and silk leek was worn by Augusta Hall - Lady Llanover - who is credited as being one of the most influential supporters of Welsh culture. In the early 19th century Welsh as a language was dying out. It was forbidden in schools and children were punished for using it. Augusta Hall and her friends were determined to preserve what they could and reintroduced the custom of the Eisteddfod and commissioned the translation and printing of ancient Welsh literature, such as the Mabinogion.