28 July 2020 - Builth Wells/Llangadog
A familiar route through the Brecon Beacons to a favourite spot just outside Builth Wells (Erwood Station) in Powys. The Arts & Crafts gallery was closed.
So on to Builth for a walk along the rivers Wye & Irfon and then along a route never before used to Pembrokeshire and the Black Mountain. Amazing, spectacular scenery.
3 August 2020 - Carew Pembrokeshire.
This time we traveled to Pembrokeshire and the Tenby area to Carew. My maternal grandmotherâs maiden name was Carew and her birth was registered in Tenby. Who knows?Â
Weâve never been there (itâs a mere speck on a map) and so we were surprised to find the tiniest of villages and a massive âcastleâ (Elizabethan Manor House?). Also there was a tidal mill - we never knew such things existed.
A really lovely place to stop, walk along the river and around the estuary. No evidence, however, of personal claims to Baronial fortunes. Canât win âem all.
14 August 2020 - Penuwch & Aberaeron, Ceredigion
Our son and his wife rented a cottage just outside Penuwch for a summer break. Covid-safe, itâs miles from nowhere - there didnât even seem to be any sheep!
Itâs a lovely little place. One of two cottages adjoining the ownerâs property, which is a carp-fishing lake. So very quiet and peaceful.
We also travelled to Aberaeron for a stroll around. Weâve never been there and should have. Itâs a lovely place. Fish & chips sitting on a bench by the harbour, followed after a stroll by honey-sweetened ice-cream.
The journey there and back⌠Best not spoken of because of West Walesâ so-called roads. Our time there⌠One of our best ever Daysâ Out.
30 August 2020 - Chepstow, Raglan & AbergavennyâŚ
⌠and an impromptu tour of the Forest of Dean. Weâd planned to stop in the Forest of Dean for our picnic lunch; we tried for several picnic spots via map or satnav, but either we couldnât find the location or it was crowded beyond belief. Teach us to venture into England!!!
As it turned out we visited 3 Welsh castles. We didnât even know Abergavenny had one! None were âopenâ. You had to pre-book to gain admission.
Chepstow was holding a lovely street market - good to see attempts to get back to normal. Also, strolling around (weâve rarely stopped there) it was a lot more interesting than expected.
Raglan Castle had a massive grassy car park, perfect for a picnic. Lots of other people had the same idea, but there was plenty of space for everyone.
We went to Abergavenny as we knew it had a nice town centre and discovered a Castle!Â
7-9 September 2020 - Madeley, Shropshire
Our first attempt at a few days away, based in an AirBnB in Telford. Weâve booked a âprivateâ rental, the entire place to ourselves. It looks brilliant value on paper - weâll find out when we arrive.
The location is very good. Close to the Ironbridge, Shrewsbury and lots of scenic woods & hills. The weather forecastâs changing by the hour⌠thatâs why we have several umbrellas!.
Three day trips in one!Â
22 September 2020 - Goytre Wharf
Situated around 30 miles from home, on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, the wharf is a terminal for canal barge holiday hire. Lots of barges are âparked upâ, partly because of the date and partly because of the pandemic. Theyâre quite a pretty sight.
Once the wharf was a vital component of the Welsh coal and iron industry and part of the Blaenavon Iron Works, some of the original brickwork is still visible.
We spent a great few hours walking the canal tow path and enjoying a picnic.
26 November 2020 - Craig-y-Nos (Brecon Beacons)
Itâs been ages since either the weatherâs been good enough or there havenât been any restrictions, but today the sun came out so we grabbed the opportunity, packed a picnic and warm clothes for a change of scene.
Craig-y-Nos was the home of Adelina Patti. She is the centre of a family legend that alleges that my Grandmother (Ellen Carew) was asked by Madame Patti to join her company, but my Great-grandmother didnât think the stage appropriate for a young lady. Who knows? Family legends are famously unreliable!
Definitely a lovely, never before visited, location.Â