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Well, here we are again. I bet you thought we had disappeared off the face of the earth. Well, I suppose we had really - we were in Wales!!! Joking aside, we have just had 3 fabulous days in the Brecon Beacons staying with cousin Hugh and Carrie. They dont have wifi or indeed a computer other than a steam driven one, so really have been a little incomunicado.
Here we go, if I can remember.
We travelled from the Cotswolds to Crickhowel via a 'scenic' route stopping in Morton in the Marsh (Paul has gone out with the car keys right now and the map is in the car, so cant remember all the places we stopped). The weekly marked was on and we managed to get a park down a country lane. We had a decent coffee and bought a few nibbles to take to Hugh and Carries, cheeses, olives, nuts etc. and bypassed the other tack and usual rubbish. On then to Ross on Wye. The weather had turned quite cold - cold wind, so we opted for soup for lunch and had a wander around the town. Not quite such an affluent town as the others in the Cotswolds.
Onwards again towards Crickhowell via the scenic route through the Forest of Dean and eventually to Crickhowell, where all of my navigational skills came into play. I had been to Hugh and Carries before, but in spite of the google map and my memory (or probably because of it) we ended up on top of the mountain surrounded by wooly sheep. I knew we had gone too far because the road had narrowed down to little more than a sheep track, and the only traffic was the odd farm vehicle - nervous stuff. In desperation I rang the cussies and we made our way back down the hill somewhat to where Hugh was standing out on the road waiting. A very warm welcome we had and a lovely dinner followed a few wines.
Next morning we were off and up with our local tour guide on a days outing through the Brecon national park. Indeed and beautiful part of Wales.
stopped for a cup of tea at an old post office by a canal and watched a few boats go past, then on through mountain roads, past reservoirs, lakes etc. to the Red Cow pub near the Brecon Mountain railway. Had a lovely lunch. We left here and went to the casle (I forget the name) which houses a school that Hugh attended and fascinating museum that we again spent a long time browsing through)
Then on to the fabulous World heritage site at Blaenavon - a huge coal mine - The Big Pit, which has been turned into a wonderful educational site. The pits are still accessable by cage (didnt do that), and the whole site is pretty much as it was left when it closed in the 80's. The museum was extremely interesting and we could have stayed for hours. Travelled home then via the mountain road stunned by the miles and miles of coal residue dumped all around the tops of the hills. All overgrown by grass but still obviously man made hills. Past old steel mill sites, again with hills of slag very evident. Still very beautiful in its own way!!
Another lovely meal and then bed.
Thursday we set off reasonably early with Hugh and Carrie to go to Cardiff. Travelled by the scenic route again and ended up finding a convenient park by the Roald Dahl museum - Norwegian Church. The obligatory coffee and then walked around the waterfront which is being developed much in the same way as say Wellington, and the Auckland docks etc. After another pub lunch off to the Welsh Heritage Museum, which unfortunately was closed due to 1 day general strike throughout Britain. Damn. We drover back into Cardiff and went out to the fascinating Barrages - a sea wall that keeps the sea out of Cardiff Bay which is completely fresh water filled by mountain streams. The Barrages is a series of huge locks 3 in total, and fascinating to watch the process. Hopefully nothing like we will experience in France. We then went to 'the beach' at Barry Island. Rather a dreadful example of British beach scene with loads of amusement parlours, fairgrounds, lots of wind, and very very brown water (Bristol channel). However, the kids seemed to be all enjoying themselves on their unscheduled day off. And it was sunny and hot out of the wind.
Homeward with a stopoff at the local pub by the river for a quick beer or two, then back for a late dinner and bed. A lovely day.
Got away early and travelled via Hay-on-Wye (booktown) to Ludlow, a charming village a bit like a mini Chester - loads of old heritage buildings, a lovely market and a jolly decent lunch. Arrived Chester about 4 pm. Nice B & B (very small car park) and are about to go into town and walk the wall. More tomorrow.
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