Day 13
Tonight I am writing from North Wales. I am writing from our own private balcony, overlooking a garden of the Bontddu Hall Hotel (pron: Bonthee), a large old manor house overlooking an inlet of Barmouth Bay. A scenic old Irish Setter is barking uncontrollably in the garden. (I guess this is where the phrase “barking mad” came from?)
We had breakfast alone in the dining room in Ettington this morning – very good. We then scooted up to Stratford to have a look at Shakespeare’s birthplace. We expected it to be closed or crowded , but it was neither. So, we went in and had a look about.
It was very nice inside, decorated with period furniture (1500’s). It was also informative, though I couldn’t imagine doing a whole day of Shakespeare houses. The gift shop sold Shakespeare Cliff Notes! (Ed. Note: We still like the “baby minder”, used to keep toddlers out of the fire while allowing them to roam, tethered to a pole.)
Then we cruised up to Warwick to see the castle. The town was uncrowded, and so was the castle. Climbed many circular stairs to get to the top of the tower. They also had an exhibit in conjunction with Madame Tussaud’s, which displayed wax figures in the rooms as if they were preparing for a Victorian Garden Party. It was very well done, and the figures really brought the rooms and furniture to life.
Also saw the dungeon, which was scary considering that some individuals spend 5 years “down in the hole”.
Bought lunch supplies in a supermarket and had lunch by the side of the road out of town. Then on several “M” roads to Wales.
Practically as soon as we crossed the border, the scenery changed to more mountainous and more beautiful. The mountains, though not exactly soaring, gave more interest to the landscape.
About this time we pulled over to make more hotel reservations and snap a photo. Lo and behold, the camera is broken again! I shall complain vigorously on our return to London; meanwhile, it’s back to the backup camera.
This hotel is large, with a 3-story central staircase, lots of paneling, and terraces overlooking the mouth of the bay. As may be guessed, the weather was beautiful again today – 68 and sunny! We are dining here tonight.
There are birds singing in the garden, sheep grazing ¼ mile away, and the tide is coming in as the sun is setting. A splendid evening!
Day 14 >>>
We had breakfast alone in the dining room in Ettington this morning – very good. We then scooted up to Stratford to have a look at Shakespeare’s birthplace. We expected it to be closed or crowded , but it was neither. So, we went in and had a look about.
It was very nice inside, decorated with period furniture (1500’s). It was also informative, though I couldn’t imagine doing a whole day of Shakespeare houses. The gift shop sold Shakespeare Cliff Notes! (Ed. Note: We still like the “baby minder”, used to keep toddlers out of the fire while allowing them to roam, tethered to a pole.)
Then we cruised up to Warwick to see the castle. The town was uncrowded, and so was the castle. Climbed many circular stairs to get to the top of the tower. They also had an exhibit in conjunction with Madame Tussaud’s, which displayed wax figures in the rooms as if they were preparing for a Victorian Garden Party. It was very well done, and the figures really brought the rooms and furniture to life.
Also saw the dungeon, which was scary considering that some individuals spend 5 years “down in the hole”.
Bought lunch supplies in a supermarket and had lunch by the side of the road out of town. Then on several “M” roads to Wales.
Practically as soon as we crossed the border, the scenery changed to more mountainous and more beautiful. The mountains, though not exactly soaring, gave more interest to the landscape.
About this time we pulled over to make more hotel reservations and snap a photo. Lo and behold, the camera is broken again! I shall complain vigorously on our return to London; meanwhile, it’s back to the backup camera.
This hotel is large, with a 3-story central staircase, lots of paneling, and terraces overlooking the mouth of the bay. As may be guessed, the weather was beautiful again today – 68 and sunny! We are dining here tonight.
There are birds singing in the garden, sheep grazing ¼ mile away, and the tide is coming in as the sun is setting. A splendid evening!
Day 14 >>>