Back to Penarth

 

Spring has sprung in Alexandra Gardens. 

Backpackering 2 - Powis Castle

 

On the walk to the castle after another bus ride to Welshpool.

The court yard cafe for lunch,

before a stroll around to take in the beauty of it all.

He seemed fascinated by this figure, standing there for ages,  perfectly still, looking up at the face.

Backpackering 2 - Whitehouse Tunnel

 

Yet another tunnel to walk. 

For a view of the other side of the Pontcysylite aqueduct, from where we took a bus back to Chirk. Tired we were, after a 3.5 mile walk. 

Backpackering 2 - Ceiriog Valley

Another bus ride, this time down to Glyn Ceiriog and back. A very scenic run. To learn the myths surrounding The Hand, Google 'Chirk Hand'. Bit gruesome they are.

The Ceiriog valley is beautiful.  Needs to be walking to get the best experience. 

Backpackering 2 - Oswestry

 

A quick bus ride to see the town.

Backpackering 2 - Chirk Via and Aque Duct

A short walk from The Hand hotel saw us here

where rail meets water.

You have to return to Wales via a tunnel over the top of which runs the rail.

On entering, 

had to dash back to catch the emerging. 

Backpackering 2 - Chirk Castle

 

The 300 year old ornate gate is about 1-1/2  mile from the castle. 

Building first began in the 13th century and remained pretty much intact until the Civil War in the 17th.

First a look around the beautiful gardens.

As they looked in the 1920s.

Beautiful. 

Gek asked me to pose like Sir Stamford.

Backpackering 2 - Chirk

 

But first, back to llangollen for a train ride up the Dee valley.

Spot the kayakers.

End of the Line, Corwen. 

Lunch on a very local cafe. An added advantage  of backpackering.

A typical view on our return,

to llangollen 

Treat at the Dee Side Cafe.

One more

 

Still learning. 

Easter Saturday Walk

From the Court to the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay and back. 

A short wait as the road lifted for a yacht to enter the lock.

Backpackering 1 - Dinas Bran Castle

At the start of the climb.

And what a climb it was, 1,000 feet above the valley floor reached on a 1 mile walk.

Good excuse to take a breather on the way, to take in the beautiful scenery.

Nearly there!

 Taking a rest,

before doing the rounds.

The Pontcysyllte aqueduct,

And Llangollen, from where we started the climb.

On the way down, a sculptor with a natural sculpture.

Backpackering 1 - Canal Trip

The couple were walking in step with the long boat. Looked really odd.

Keep right.

In the basin, about to cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

First to see in the valley below.

The crossing. Not for the faint hearted.

 

 Made it to the other side.

Backpackering 1 - Llangollen

 

 2024

 

 1930's

 Grandad's photograph from his visit to the town. 

 

  

 

Lunch at the Fouzi's Cafe.

 

 

Train spotting again.

Plas Newydd, is a stone built house converted into a gothic ‘fantasy’ by its most famous inhabitants – ‘The Ladies of Llangollen'.

The ladies ran away from the life they were expected to live in Ireland in 1778 to set up a new life and home in Wales.

 The inside is decorated with tudor period wood carvings taken from old chairs and stair  rails.

A lovely formal garden. Too rainy to do it justice with a photo outside.