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Published: June 17th 2022
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Amazing Bridge
This is the Clifton Bridge where construction began in 1831. Funding issues and the death of the designer halted construction and it was not completed for 33 years, but the original design was followed. Imagine this in 1831. By the way it is located in the Marches of Wales (west England). We ambled across it from the right then up the hill to a viewing area. A tidal river is below with the tide out. Out of England for a couple of days arriving in south Wales after a quite nice stop at a Costco just before crossing the border purchasing the cheapest gas in the area for 1.7 pounds per liter or $8.40 a gallon. Also a few items from inside. Only pics we can show are of a very impressive bridge and Cardiff Castle, so we'll combine these with some from Cotswolds. Must note, here like most places we visit, the Romans arrived a bit before us. They constructed a fortress at the very site of Cardiff Castle. Unfortunately, like much of Britain, Cardiff being something of an outpost, the construction was not as substantial as on the continent and nothing remains. Ah shucks.
Arrived at Stow-on-the Wold, which is our base in the Cotswolds, on Monday afternoon. The area is dubbed AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty), which perhaps is not far off the mark. During the Middle Ages wool production was very lucrative with wool from the Cotswolds being the most prized throughout the world. And can you guess where the wool originated? Yes, of course, the Romans crossed a couple of sheep to produce a breed with outstanding wool, and
Cardiff Castle
This is the castle on top of a preexisting 3rd Century Roman fort built by the Normans to solidify William's conquests. The interior was extensively renovated by some rich dude in the 19th century. We did not venture inside. fortunately for the sheep, poor meat. The Lords about the Costwolds used their immense profits to build structures advertising this wealth. The area now is something of a time capsule as the considerable wealth evaporated with the rise of cotton and the Industrial Revolution resulting in a deserted and impoverished Cotswolds. With no money to update buildings, no changes were made, which is fortunate for today's Cotswold tourist industry.
Stow itself occupies a place of importance in English history. It was here that Parliamentary forces defeated the last Royal Army thereby ending the first civil war. However, Charles I, not being terribly bright, continued his stubborn and absolutist ways setting the stage for a second civil war and the separation of his head from the remainder of his body in 1649. Although Oliver Cromwell was a central character in the first civil war, he rose to rule after the execution of Charles.
The last of this post, before we burden you poor folks with reading it, is devoted to Blenheim Palace. Unlike many ducal residences, this one does not have a long history. If fact the completion date was exactly three hundred years ago after seventeen years of
Tintern Abbey
Stopped here on the way to the Cotswolds. The Abbey was founded in the early 12th century, and destroyed by that airhead Henry VIII. Can you imagine the interior should Henry have not existed? construction. The 1st Duke of Marlborough, the folks who live at Blenheim, was able to afford the construction price tag after Queen Anne gave him a fabulous sum of money following his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim, thus the name of the palace. This was actually an enormous victory during the War of Spanish Succession as Louis XIV was attempting to gain the Spanish crown and hegemony on the continent. If he succeeded, European history may be quite different. The palace itself is amazing. We have been to our share of royal palaces and have seen none that surpasses Blenheim. We'll show you a bit of what we mean.
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