Enjoying retirement
In The Red Rose County
Aiisha is tackling the Three Peaks of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis and for the first of these we based ourselves in Shropshire to enjoy some time there and drive to Snowdon. We stayed in Much Wenlock a historic and atmospheric town. The house we picked Fox Corner had everything we wanted. It was refurbished only last year which is good. On our first day we went to Blists Hill Victorian Village.......I was here in the sixties with school to look at the origins of the Industrial Revolution. The Victorian Village didn't exist. We got in free with our National Art Pass. From there it was a short drive to Coalbrookdale where we admired the world's first cast iron bridge and enjoyed the town itself which had a lot going for it. Next day a rehearsal for Snowdon. We went on a waterfall walk leading up to Long Mynd from Carding Mill Valley. The walk was harder than it loked at first sight as there was a lot of scrambling up the side of the waterfall..... A picnic lunch half way up was welcome...... Nearing the top........ Once past the top of the waterfall we entered a heath and moorland plateau that sits on the Western flank of Church Stretton in this Shropshire Hills area of outstanding beauty. Wild horses proved not so wild....... The way down was via a long hanging valley.... ......which was quite precipitous in part. There was time for an odd tree climb...... .......and crossing of water. Rectory Woods was at the bottom of the valley. Very pleasant. At last the longish drive to Snowdon. Brilliant scenery as we neared. Having dropped off the mountaineering party (including the fund-raising Aiisha) Frances and I went to lunch at the Castell Deudraeth, very nice too, and it enabled us to avoid the heavy entry charge to Port Meirion. I'd always wanted to visit Port Meirion, and what a fantastical place it is. And how totally unspoilt thsi area seems..... After exploring the village we went on a woodland walk to the beach. This is as far as we got as the tides were making it difficult to get round to the village's other hotel. It compares very favourably indeed with Cornwall. We must return. Next stop the castle again for a cup of tea on the terrace where we could admire the scenery and the gardens. On the way up the mountains to pick up Aiisha, Katherine and David the scenery was truly lovely. The following day we went to the Enginuity Museum at Coalbrookdale. of its type, very good indeed. I was particularly keen to see the blast furnaces which were truly the origin of the industrial Revolution, last seen by me in the Sixties! Just after lunch, to the Edge Outdoor Centre for shooting. Very good fun. On the way back to Clitheroe we dropped in to Tatton Park for a bit of deer stalking.......... A low key birthday tea for Katherine and David, the cake was much better than it looks. Another mountain to conquer. We stayed overnight at Burnthwaite Farm, near the Wasdale Head Inn. The views from the farm were outstanding. Whilst the others mountaineered I went on a really pleasant walk at the other end of Wasdale. Coming upon this National Trust Youth Hostel, based in Wasdale Hall, I stopped for refreshments. The views of the screes were outstanding. At the end of my walk I diverted to Nether Wasdale for a drink in the pub there. Since they charge a supplement for transactions under £10, I declined their hospitality...... and made the lengthy drive back to Wasdale Head........ On the way back over extensive moorland the mountains were all lit up by the evening sun. We had dinner in the Boot Inn which has transfomed since Malcolm and i stayed there in the Seventies. Very good too.
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August 2023
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