Blogs from Powys, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe - page 50

Advertisement

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Welshpool June 8th 2008

Thought you might like to see these pics of our annual dawdle along the Montgomery canal. The "Monty" runs down to Newtown ( near us ) from near Llangollen, joining with the national canal network there, so you could - if you had time - journey to London and beyond by canal. It was built around 150 years ago, to bring in coal and limestone, and take woollen goods down to London. Believe it or not, mail order was started in Newtown, using the canal system. Anyway, to try and keep the canal open, all sorts of events are held, and the yearly dawdle is an institution. Alex has taken part for years, and has a stack of brass plaques to prove it! Anyone can take part, all sorts of boats are propelled along the 6 ... read more
last gang
coracles
Alex

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Brecon June 6th 2008

It's Adam's birthday again - so that must mean it is time for another weekend in Wales! This time we headed off for a canoe/walking adventure in the Brecon Beacon National Park. Saturday was canoe day and we hired Canadian canoes (except for Pete, who was on the 'rescue' surf ski) and canoed from Wales back into England along the River Wye. The canoe adventure was a very sedate one (those of you that hear from Adam will know about his 'great UK search' for rapids) but very lovely. This also meant that we got to appreciate the fauna, including a number of ducklings and cygnets out for a swim with mum and dad. We were well nourished during the 10 mile journey with ANZAC biscuits cooked by Sophie for morning tea, a delicious pub lunch ... read more
Team canoe
Canoes on calm waters
Canoe legend

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Welshpool May 31st 2008

Well, here are some pictures of the inside of our house, for those of you who are interested. Its hard to get far enough away when you're indoors! but you'll get the idea. ... read more
sitting room
the sun room
Dolanog

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Brecon May 24th 2008

Another long weekend, another holiday. You don’t have to think too hard for excuses to get away over here, and this time we’re off to Wales, and more specifically horse riding in the Brecon Beacons National Park. We started the trip with a whistle stop tour of a collection of the best sights to see between London and Wales, starting at the infamous Stonehenge. We were up and on the road so early, Stonehenge hadn’t actually opened! However, there is not much that you can’t see from the outside, and somehow Rick convinced the security guard to take photos for us from within the fence. Next stop was Avebury, said to rival Stonehenge, but personally not a chance. The large stone circles are impressive, but not as good as the ones in Scotland, and besides Stonehenge ... read more
Avebury
Damsels in Distress
Chepstow Castle

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Hay-on-Wye May 17th 2008

Before heading off to Hay-on-Wye, Chris insisted that we visit the famous Hereford Cathedral. We were not allowed to take photos, but I was able to see the Mappa Mundi and a chained library. Drawn up around 1290, the Mappa Mundi is a map of England on a very old sheet of vellum. It shows how early British peoples saw the land in both geographical and spiritual terms. The chained library was an interesting example of how early libraries prevented their books from being stolen. The books were literally chained to the shelf and in order to read them, you would have to sit right in front of the shelf with your book. As I'm starting to learn with special collections, the shelving system was one all its own. I did get a little thrill when ... read more
The ominous gothic doorway
The Spread Eagle
The hills behind the town of Hay-on-Wye

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Welshpool May 15th 2008

We've had the most beautiful weather this week, and done lots of gardening and lawn mowing. One day Alex and I took a picnic - and a dog - to the local bluebell wood for an hour or two. We've been home 4 weeks today, and now we've tidied up a bit, it does feel more like home. We've both been filling in application forms for jobs, and today went to an "open day" to see if we could get anything. We shall see. ... read more
another view
Alex and David
mowing

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Brecon May 5th 2008

Like everyone else, we made the most of the Bank Holiday weekend and headed out of London. We were really keen to re-visit Wales as we loved it so much last time. The Brecon Beacons is a National Park packed with miles and miles of walking. The terrain varies from beautiful farmland, steep mountains, woods, open moors, rivers and waterfalls. Our first stop was the quirky village of Hay-on-Wye. The ‘second hand book capital of the world’ - what a great place! A book lovers dream with about 40 bookshops. Even the green underneath the castle was covered in book shelves. We could have stayed all day but we would never got any walking done! We stayed in an awesome little B&B near the old bridge in Crickhowell. After a snack we set off to do ... read more
Spring in the Brecon Beacons
On top of Table Mountain
The wrong turn...

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Meifod May 5th 2008

Today being Mum's 21st(!!!) birthday, we headed down to Meifod with freshly baked scones stuck with candles, to wish her all the best, and assist in eating any chocolates she needed help with! Later Lynda and I went on a treasure hunt and barbecue in the village - turned out to be more of a 4 mile walk and barbie, but that was fine. It was lovely. ... read more
an apt card
happy birthday
Mum and Dad

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Meifod May 1st 2008

rather belatedly, due to lack of internet access, I submit these photos for your perusal. they were taken the weekend we got home, so almost 2 weeks ago now. Shortly, I'll get the camera round the house and garden, so you can see where we live. ... read more
surprise party
musical entertainment
hat parade

Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Powys » Brecon April 4th 2008

Thursday 3 April 2008 Back across the border, we returned to scenic Wales and found the town of Brecon. We were greeted there by Barbara's cousin Thomas and his wife Anja, their daughter was away at camp. We enjoyed meeting them over a bottle of Aussie red and then headed out for a short tour around town and dinner by the canal at the Theatr Restaurant. Barbara was very excited about trying a cockle salad and wasn't at all disappointed. After our lovely dinner we returned to the house for a fun evening of whiskey and entertaining conversation. We were warned to watch out for the ghosts in their old manor when we retired for the night. Friday 4 April 2008 Michael woke early, despite the whiskey the previous evening, to do some work marking uni ... read more
Michael, Thomas, Anja & Barbara in Brecon
Michael hard at work in Brecon




Tot: 0.147s; Tpl: 0.007s; cc: 13; qc: 77; dbt: 0.0769s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.3mb