pretty maids all in a row

These sunflowers grow in the shelter of the wall against which a huge greenhouse stood in Victorian times. It was built in the walled garden of Islay House at Bridgend - a garden run by a staff of 25 to provide food for the Big House.

Today the Big House is being turned into a hotel. The Big Walled Garden fell into disrepair and the greenhouses are long gone. Since 2005, however, a group of volunteers has been working here to make a community garden, which now grows and sells fruit and veg to locals and tourists alike.

We picked and bought some salad leaves and mangetout peas which will make nice additions to our dinner.