Pyle, Wales to Bradford-on-Avon, England

As you all know by now, I wasn't able to blog yesterday. Internet problems. So today you'll read about yesterday, Tuesday July 2 and hopefully today as well.

The day started with a breakfast that was a bit different. Dave had scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast and I had porridge. I don't know how to describe the porridge because I've never had anything like it before. It had a gluey texture. I don't think it had oatmeal in it but it was made with milk - which is what I prefer. It tasted just fine.

After getting my shoes on - Dave was in the car and had my shoes so I stood in the doorway trying to get his attention - headed out. The road right in front of the B&B was an old Roman road. I'm so loving all the history!! We had a list of 5 things we wanted to see today. We made it to 4 of them. They were all within 60 miles so it was doable. The first stop was the Castell Coch - a castle. I was all excited to go there. The outside looked great but it just didn't feel right inside. The orginal castle was built in 1250 but was allowed to become a ruin. Some guy, with a lot of money and a passion for projects, decided to try to get the castle back to it's orginal state. He began this in the 1880s. Apparently the actual structure is authentic, he incorporated what he could of the orginal castle (very little) into the restoration, but he decided to decorate the interior and the furniture in his own style - which I found a bit werid (the style that is). One interesting point about this castle is that many movies are made there.

Our next stop was the Caerphilly Castle (1250). It's incredible! It's right in the center of town and is really a fortess with a castle in the center. It covers 35 acres and has two moats.  This castle was mostly destroyed in 1326. There aren't any complete rooms left. Some have walls but no ceiling, and vis-versa. It must have been an amazing place in its day. Every bedroom we could find had an ensuite bathroom - really. It was a board with a hole in it - with an incredibly long "drop". One of the towers (it was the kitchen) is leaning more than the Tower of Piza.  During the 1930s, the government put unemployed men to work restoring as much of the castle as they could. It must have been in really bad shape when they started. What's there today is still considered "ruins" but I guess it's much better than it was 100 years ago.

When we came out of this castle, it started to drizzle and it was quite chilly. We thought this weather was quite fitting considering where we were. It was definitely a pants and coat day. Postcards were needed so we stopped in a shop to get those, and stamps. While we were in the store, someone told us they loved the American accent. I'm sure we have an accent to others since we hear an accent when they speak. 

Sidebar: For those who followed our blog on our last trip, you know that I was interested in the many ways that toilets flushed. It's what caught my fancy, what can I say? Well this time it's signs. I'm taking pictures of really great signs. Some of them are in places that don't "allow me" to take a picture - like on the roads. Two lane highways have no shoulders. None. It's literally 6 inches between the car and the grass, trees, cement barrier etc. Stopping is impossible. I don't know how folks who get flat tires, or need to pull over for any reason do it. You just can't. One great sign was for a cow crossing.  :)

We headed off to our next stop - the Balenavon Iron Works. It opened in 1789 and just shut down in 1971. We saw the very small "houses" were the workers lived. The beds always had someone in them. When someone got up, the person coming off his shift would get in. When kids turned 5, they started the 12 hour work days. Horrible. 

The last stop for the day was Raglan Castle (early 1300s). I think it was my favorite. Someone decided it was a good idea to blow up castles in 1649 and this was one on the list. No one lived in the castle after that - they couldn't as there's not enough left to live in. We climbed to the top of the highest tower via circular stairs. It was very high and I was very dizzy.  In the banquet hall was an immense fireplace. Dave could stand up in it.  After this castle, it was time to do some driving.

The countryside in Wales is spectacular! Massive "hills" covered in trees, fields, sheep, and cows. Again, words can't describe this - and the pictures won't be great due to the drizzling rain. We were way up there with sheep on both sides of the road (no fences). I wonder how many get hit by cars?  

We didn't have a hotel booked for the night. The plan was to spend some time in the Cotswold area and see Stonehenge on Wednesday,  so we headed in that direction. The drive was beautiful, terrifying, and tiring. Regular two lane highways, no shoulders, very windy roads, and speed limits that are way too fast. Dave, who doesn't get rattled very easily, was stressed and very tired. We came upon a "historic working town" - Bradford-on-Avon. Wow and wow! This is a must see. The downtown is as it was in the early 1500s. Words can't describe it so you'll have to wait for the pictures. It had been 8 hours since we'd eaten anything so we headed into The Three Gables. We were seated in a cozy waiting area - nothing like in the US - and had a drink and some interesting starters. We sat there for about 30 minutes and then were taken upstairs to eat. I thought we were waiting for a table but the waiting is all part of the experience. We were the only ones in the small room were we sat. A long and lovely meal followed. Just now, 24 hours later, I realized that the tip wasn't included in the bill. Sorry to the staff! We finished eating about 9:30 and one of the restruant staff had called and arranged  a room for us at the Swan Hotel (1500). We had to wait about 30 minutes while they got the room ready. By 10:30 we were in the room, a beauty!, and fell into bed. A long but good day.

One thing I learned today: Farmers don't dock the tails of sheep. Makes things pretty messy for the sheep.

One new thing I experienced today:  Having sweetbreads (not sweet breads) on my plate at supper. I gave these lamb glands to Dave so he could enjoy them with his pig's cheeks. 

Most powerful moment of the day: Sorry. Nothing today.

One pleasurable experience: Sleeping in a hotel that's been in business for over 500 years.

Note to the family: If you need to get a hold of us, you'll need to send us a message on this blog. I changed the password on our email account and didn't  bring it with me. I hope all is well. That everyone is healthy. Missing all of you!