Night by the riverside

On the weekend I took the bus up to my local park, I had felt a desire to take pictures on the riverside there for a while but hadn't got the chance until this weekend. But I stopped procrastinating and actually took the trip there.

The night had transformed what was a tranquil area in day time into something quite otherworldly by the cover of darkness. I met with a friend and wandered this suddenly wild world. The street lamps along the way made each path leading into the darkness into a living fairy tale. One where a fey and strange creature could lay in wait to pounce at any moment.

The tree branches stretched over the river over a grey and purple sky. And in that moment I could imagine that in that night I was on a silent road by the river that would lead to grandmothers house where the big bad wolf would devour me whole and where the fey folk would ride out across a bruised sky.

On a night by the riverside the world was suddenly filled with dark and mysterious magic.

Roath conservatory: Back to the garden

Set innocuously enough in the heart of Roath Park in Cardiff,  the botanical garden there looks unspectacular if of moderate interest. Step inside though and you would be surprised to find a stunningly lovely tropical garden, filled to the brim with exotic plants, flowers and fruit.

Water vapour hangs heavy in the air, causing the palm leaves to drip water into pools of water filled with carp, terrapins and birds (which you can feed using seeds brought at the front desk). The garden itself is surprisingly spacious, stretching further back then you would expect and hiding orchids, coconuts and other far flung plants.

The warm glow from light hitting the glass and tropical temperatures make it an ideal location to chase away the winter blues. And the veritable feast of animals and plants make it an exciting location for the kids to explore. Make sure to check the opening times before coming to avoid disappointment.

In short if you come to Cardiff, make sure to visit the garden and enjoy one of Roath Park's best kept secrets.