THE latest community news from Dyffryn and Talybont

Gardening club

MEMBERS were delighted to welcome Margaret Smith to the 8 October meeting, held in the church hall.

Her childhood holiday experiences have led to and nurtured her love of walking, mountains and photography, all of which were extensively demonstrated in her interesting and informative talk.

Since 2000, in Nepal, she has watched the sun set and rise on several mountain ranges and walked the headwaters of the Ganges and the Amazon.

Many special friendships have been made along the way.

During this two and a half week trip the group walked four to five miles each half day, it being too hot to walk further.

Glaciers, showing obvious signs of melting, were crossed on wires and deep gorges, over fast-flowing rivers, crossed on rope ladders. Glacial melt waters were used to wash hair, a painful experience until heat returned to the head!

Buddhist temples were decorated with beautiful carvings and mantras were written on prayer walls. One photograph depicted the most beautiful, colourful rug in relief, depicting a village.

Beautiful alpine flowers included rock roses in a variety of colours, the seeds of which would have originated from abroad, miniature irises, eidelweiss, geum and birds eye primroses. The most stunning of all was the blue Himalayan poppy, standing 18 inches to two feet tall, so delicate and almost translucent.

The breathtakingly, beautiful photograph of the Taj Mahal gave members an indication of its true grandeur.

In Jaipur, a journey by elephant took the group to the Amber Palace, decorated, as was the Red Fort, with the most stunning mosaics.

Karen Hall thanked Margaret for sharing the many beautiful photographs.

The next meeting will be in the Church Hall on 12 November, when the president, Guy Lloyd, will give a tour of his winter garden. All visitors welcomed.

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