Snowdrops and Castles in Wales and Shropshire

A week in Wales

When checking the weather forecasts for Chirk in the days prior to leaving home for our first week away of the year I kept reading ,

          "It has rained on this day 7 times out of 10 in the last 10          years."

Along with dire predictions of snow on the day we were travelling my hopes for a decent week weren't too high. Well what else can I expect for the first week in March!

However we left home in drizzle and arrived an hour and a half later in dry weather with brightness on the horizon.

We had a warm welcome from the warden who directed us to a pitch where we would be able to get television reception on our antiquated aerial,  much to my OHs relief!

After lunch he had his 'post towing' nap while I took the dog for a walk with camera in hand and managed not only to get my bearings but also to capture my first pictures of the aqueduct and the ornate gates to Chirk Castle.

The  next day turned out to be warm and gloriously sunny until late afternoon. We took the opportunity to visit the grounds of Chirk Castle and were amazed at the number of people there.

Whilst celebrating the £11.20 entrance fee which we didn't have to pay because we are National Trust members we realised we'd managed to visit on St David's Day. The one day of the year when no one has to pay!

There were special celebrations planned including a recital by a male voice choir. Also we managed to tether Tess the dog to some railings and explore the formal gardens in order to see the snowdrops which abounded in the woods.

Sunday morning and the skies were grey and the rain falling. Unwilling to sit in the van all day and putting off a necessary visit to the supermarket we headed for Valle Crucis, just the other side of Llangollen. A pretty little spot next to the river and again free to visit during the 'winter' season. Cue more photographs for OH to use a inspiration for his watercolour paintings when we get home.

Apparently this other chap by the name of J.M. W. Turner also painted it a few years ago.

We decided not to stop in Llangollen on the way back due to further rain. (Which of course immediately stopped once it was too late to stop.) We did however avail ourselves of the convenience of the Spar in Chirk to get some essentials.

On Monday, the rain having ceased and blue skies were with us again,  we decided that Oswestry deserved our attentions. Although we didn't really get a 'touristy' feel there we had an enjoyable time browsing the shops which were mainly independents rather than national chains and looking at the interesting architecture of the buildings. Something in which we are  both interested.

Tuesday we decided to revisit the National Trust house and estate of Erddig. Entry wasn't free this time but half price. (Will we ever manage to recoup our National Trust subscription?)

 Tess was confined to the car, which we'd managed to park in the shade while we toured the grounds, cameras clicking as usual and then went on a fascinating guided tour of the servants quarters.  

 

Wednesday was Llangollen. While we were there we had lost the sun but once again no rain. A fascinating little town which although we did visit once 20 years ago I obviously hadn't seen it in its best light.

We had a meander along the river walk and then went into town and managed to go in nearly every shop. We are aware that we were supposed to visit the railway and the canal but didn't do so on this visit!

Thursday, our last full day and I wanted to visit Ellesmere and Whittington Castle.

I'm not sure whether it was our mood or the weather but we weren't impressed. Whilst initially driving on the outskirts of Ellesmere there was housing for people with a lot more cash than we'll ever see and then as we approached the town we saw some lovely Georgian Villas but when we actually got to the centre we were disappointed. The side of the Mere nearest to the town had a concrete promenade and we had a meander along this before climbing to look at the grassed over remains of the motte and bailey castle.

After our very brief visit to Ellesmere Village Centre we continued to Whitchurch to have a look the castle which I remembered seeing on a journey to Wales with our children about 35 years ago.

There is not much remaining but I do have a lifelong fascination for ruined and abandoned buildings.  I enjoyed a (free again) 30 minutes having a look around and indulging in my usual flights of imagination. I AM the Lady of Shallott ! (No perhaps not.)

Worthy of note is the little second hand bookshop attached to the cafe built into the walls of the castle. We left with 6 more books to add to our collection.