A week off, and a few days away enjoying some of Wales' ancient monuments courtesy of CADW and the National Trust. Started with a visit to
Tretower Court and Castle - the Court has some good interior reconstructions, and the Castle is an interesting small ruin. Moved on from there to the extensive and much more impressive ruins of
Raglan Castle, with its views over the surrounding countryside.
Stayed in Tintern, so of course we visited
Tintern Abbey. Had a walk round Tintern itself (including the ruined and supposedly haunted St Mary's Church) and through the forestry at Symond's Yat Rock (where we just about spotted the nesting peregrines through our binoculars).
Also spent a day at a National Trust property
Croome.
Interesting place, a mix of World War II exhibits, a historic house, and restored Capability Brown parkland.
As it was raining when we arrived started with the exhibition on the RAF base which used to be on the site, and the work they did to develop the early radar systems.
As the weather improved moved on to the landscaped grounds - the sun even shone briefly!
Finished with a tour of the house, which is still something of a work in progress, with rooms reflecting the changing ownership of the property (including one painted and decorated by the Hare Krishna movement, who were tenants in the early 1980s).
Finished with a trip to
Chepstow Castle (which had the CADW dragons in residence), and
Tredegar House. Enjoyed a National Trust cream tea at the latter - although the local jackdaw population were keen to partake too:
There were also jackdaws at Tretower Castle, popping in and out of the walls, swallows in most places (here nesting in Raglan Castle) . . .
. . . and a baby coot keeping a low profile in Raglan's moat:
Weather could have been better on some days, but all in all a good birthday break - part of trying not to feel like too much of an ancient monument myself.
The wine helped!
