Tredegar - Never too far from your next drink!

Well, the Welsh and English weather has stayed with us today - rained non-stop! But, like the food soldiers we are, we battled on!

We thought that the motorways in the south of Wales and around Cardiff may have been a little less hectic that further east, but not to be And the rain didn’t help. 

We had planned to visit Westbury Court  Garden in Gloucestershire but decided against it because of the inclement weather, but we did stop and visit the Morgan linked property of Tredegar, just south of Newport in Wales. 

There had been a house on site since medieval days with the current house tracing its appearance to the Seventeenth century. The house history, again, mirrors so many other wealthy homes with fortunes earned and lost. 

One of the later Morgans kept hiss bath full of wines believing  that you should never too far from your next drink!


We later passed from Wales back to England via the Severn Bridge. 

South Wales

Where has all the sunshine gone! We had become used to England and Wales turning on perfect days for the past week - a little bit of a shock to see this overcast weather being dished up today - and the day didn’t get any better. The further south we ventured the duller and cooler it became, with misty rain accompanying us southwards. But, who’s complaining!

Journeyed to Aberystwyth this morning to get new wiper blades for the van - the old ones were shot to pieces. Just as well we did because later in the day we needed them with the rain that came in. 

After this we drove along the coast road overlooking the Cardigan Bay with many scenic locations opening up as we drove south. The misty rain spoilt some of the views but not the very green hills and valleys of South Wales. Is it my fading memory or does this lush green landscape remind me of the Tassie of my childhood? 

On the way though we called into Llanerchaeron, an an elegant Georgian villa, which has remained unaltered for the past 200 years. The villa was designed by the famous John Nash in the 1790s. The villa gives the full upstairs-downstairs experience. It also contrasts with the stately home experience from yesterday’s excursion. 

We finished the day in the south calling into the village of Pyle where we sort out the Ye Olde Winehouse - a 500 year old pub. Sample the brew before winding up for the day. 

Wales - The Most Exquisite Garden

Today we visited the most exquisite garden imaginable! Bodnant Garden lies in the foothills of Snowdonia and enjoys protection from the Irish Sea by being located in its own private valley. The array of colours and fragrances attract the senses at ever stage. The Golden Drop pergola (The Laburnum Arch) was the most outstanding feature, and famous across the UK.

At every turn a new perspective would open up. The garden has been a labour of love over 70 years and results are stunning. 

By this stage we were begining to head south from North Wales, and for a lunch break we called in to Penrhyn Castle. Here we found the Railway Museum — the Welsh love their trains - along with a very pleasantly presented castle. 

Further along the road we stopped again to visit the Plas Newydd Castle on the Isle of Anglesey. Again, we found a dynasty, over centuries, had made fortunes just so another could fritter it away. This family was one of the powerful aristocracts, very closely connected to the monarchy and Prime Ministers. A fascinating look at the rich and powerful! I can’t understand why there wasn’t a French style revolution. 

Beautifully views across the Straights of Menai.

Parts of the famous Whistler painting. 

The Marquess of Anglesey in his military uniform along side a painting of the battle of Waterloo- where he had his leg shot off by a canon ball. 

We later drove through Snowdonia National Park to the town of Borth for our overnight stop.

Chester and North Wales

Today we visited Chester - a town of great heritage with 2000 years of history. The Roman City wall is the most complete in Britain. We were able to walk the whole wall passing Roman sites,  the medieval influences and the Industrial Age, all contributing to the attraction of the town. 

We spend many hours on our feet exploring the town. The Roman amphitheater, the Roman Garden, the 700 years old shopping galleries and the the cathedral kept us busy. 

We later drove on to Mochdre overlooking Colwyn Bay for the afternoon and overnight. 

Wales Today

We needed to do some serious shopping at Leamington Spa before driving on to Attingham Park to have lunch and visit the 18th century John Nash designed house.

“Built for the first Lord Berwick in 1785, Attingham Hall and its beautiful parkland were owned by one family for more than 160 years. As their fortunes rose and fell they proved themselves to be spenders, savers and saviours - providing a fascinating story of love and neglect whose mark still stands in Attingham’s rooms today.” (National Trust)

After lunch we continued our trip towards North Wales and called into Chirk Castle for a visit. 

Chirk Castle was completed in 1310 to subdue the last princes of Wales. It became a symbol of power in those times but since, after 700 years, it’s interior has been lavishly converted into a comfortable environment.