Castles and Stones.

So after many hours in the wonderful little pub of "The Holly Bush", the Entourage awoke reasonably early and after a light breakfast we all set out for Caerphilly Castle. The weather being as beautiful as the Welsh countryside around us. Hardly a cloud to tone down the wonderful sunlight that streamed down upon us. It was still only 10 degrees C however.

Upon reaching the largest castle in Wales, and the second largest in the UK, we found that there was still half an hour until opening. My staff then found themselves a very nice cafe and sat down to a second more substantial breakfast (I did not realise I had Hobbits in my employ), though Beth did order apple and blackberry crumble with custard. I do not think she quite understands "breakfast".

The castle itself was a very interesting site with its impressive walls, massive keep, leaning towers and nesting geese. The junior members of the Entourage did enjoy the "quest" activity sheet given to them which did manage to take us all over the site in a fun and interesting way.

From there we again trusted to Charlotte to guide us somewhere interesting, in this case the Margam Stone Museum. This small museum housed just 30 objects but they were with one exception all standing stones of Christian origins tracing the rise of christianity in Wales up to about the first crusade.

Again, choosing a destination at almost random, the party set out for Weobly Castle overlooking the Loughor esturary. On the way the rivet counters amongst us were excited to discover that we were over taking a convoy of tanks on trucks. Having visited the castle, in a working farm yard no less, and on our way to our accommodation for the night, we over took another tank convoy before catching up with what we think was our first group of tanks. British roads being what they are, a considerable trail of traffic was forced to travel at the speed of the tank transporters for some while.

It was just after leaving Weobly Csatle that the Entourage spotted a suitable place for afternoon tea, "The Purple Badger". This fine looking establishment did actually have a stuffed (poor fellow) purple badger over its bar. The decor was anphropromorphic enough to send any Ancient Egyptian priest into dizzing delights of rapture. Their idea of afternoon tea was what most of us would consider high tea and having to be ordered no less than 24 hours ahead of time this looked like an occassion for tears. However a compromise was reached and the Entourage was recharged via tea and sticky toffee pudding. The service however was not equal to the food.
Having settled into our digs, we were directed to a far more model pub than those we have eaten at so far this trip and had what I am sad to say was a disappointing ordinary meal.

Whilst on the subject of pubs I must point out that my Entourage is compiling a list of notable beverages:
Lilt: a non alcoholic soft drink that tastes of a weak lemon squash with a hint of orange flavour.
Red Leaf: a black tea with a decidedly reddish hue, a gentle aroma of red berries, a strong yet mild taste with an after taste of red currants.
Fursty Ferret: a delightful brown ale, lightly creamy with a nutty aftertaste. Well recommended.
Trooper: a strong lager style beer inspired by Iron Maiden. Good but not outstanding.
Monty Pythons Holy Grail: a golden ale with mild taste holding fruity undertones.
Butty Bach: an outstanding dark brown ale, extremely creamy with an aftertaste light warm butter. The pick of the crop so far.

And then there are the ones that make you go .... Hmmmmm? Such as the Peach Coke a Cola and the Mango Coke a Cola than none in the Entourage have yet been game enough to try.

Quote of the Day.
Marcus (having just had his father rattle off a potted history of Caerphilly Castle) "How do you know all this stuff".
Tony: "I just rad it off the sign next to you."

Beth's idea of "breakfast".
Caerphilly Castle.
Hold it up man! Straighter!

Ahh. The Lord of the Manor's table. Just where I belong.
The Keep.

You People! Really!

Rebellious Serf!
These should make better minions.
Weobley Castle.

The view over the marsh.
It truly exists.
Because it is there.


Comments

  1. jenjen10 April 2018 at 23:53

    I presume you bought a life-sized replica of that stock to bring home for future such Beth taming? Just sayin'...

    (Instead of 'over took' I would have like to read that you 'took over' a convoy of tanks - yeehah!)

    ReplyDelete

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