Lake District, Cockerham - Wales, Langollen

 Thurnham Hall, Cockerham was a great place to rest . .  again, sad to leave.

 Great places to sit and read.

Drove on down through to Manchester, staying overnight, so that Arron and Cameron could visit Science and Industry Museum and I could visit the Manchester Art Gallery. I was impressed, but the boys were disappointed. None of us were impressed with Manchester. It appears a very dirty city and not too safe. Bit like the Valley in 
Brisbane but dirtier. 

Then drove across to Llangollen (Welsh pronunciation:  [ɬaŋˈɡɔɬɛn] with a guttural spitting competition mid pronunciation!) It is a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, on the River Dee at the edge of the Berwyn mountains and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley. Staying in the historical Hotel,   The Royal Hotel, Llangollen for 2 nights. I loved this place.

Great places to sit and read with views to river.

Our Hotel.  

We had an extremely enjoyable trip on a long barge.The engineering behind the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is pure genius and was a symbol of the might of the industrial revolution, when it was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century. The boat slowly travels along a canal that is suspended in the middle of the air, 40 metres above the ground, with nothing but a thin tub like canal made of cast iron and a very long drop beneath it. . .  scenery is spectacular.

It is worth going just-off season as there are far fewer tourists. Had the top viewing platform to ourselves, with the captain, most of the way.

Another walk through the town looking at all the quaint shops, an enjoyable meal and another good nights sleep. I Love listening to the river roaring under our window. 

Woke to a day which could not decide if it was raining, sunny or both . . . so decided to spend the day on an old steam train. It was delightful. Traveled through the countryside - saw rabbits, quail, pheasants and lots of sheep  . .  and a few squirrels.  

The boys walked back to the town, through the countryside and along the canal, popping into a church and car museum.

 I went back by train and did some shopping. Saw a variety of creative ceramics. 

Look above the door - Welsh Names are incredibly long and impossible to pronounce. Had meal in hotel restaurant and then sat in bar listening to live entertainment. Hearing the singing and talking in Gaelic is entertaining. Though funny how the swear words are usually in English. 

I do like Wales and the Welsh. . . love to stay here longer and explore further.

Another night with the river Dee as our Lullaby/backdrop and then tomorrow we make our way across to the Cotswold's, stopping in to see Blenheim Palace.. 

Northumberland

Driving through Northumberland down towards Lancaster, the landscape reminded me of Scotland. It has a barren beauty combined with a open lushness.

Small towns with stone buildings.

 
On the way to Lancaster we stopped in at ALNWICK castle and Gardens, famous for a lot of reasons, including being used for the Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey series.

Gardens were spectacular. Boys loved watching the variety of water features using mechanical and structural genius. Had a tour of the poison garden.

 

Beautiful Library and rooms still used by the resident family.

Visited the Tree house to explore and have a meal.

 

Our accommodation is Thurnham Hall which is set in a very old House dating back to before the Domesday Book of 1086. The original owner was the brother of King Harold of 1066 fame. It has been renovated and added to over the years and owned by various families until it ran out of descendants and was sold to be turned into luxury accommodation.

It is beautiful. We have a two bedroom apartment with a resident ghost, kitchen and very spacious lounge  . . . and a chapel with stain glass, built in 1848 .

 

There are lots of interesting features. We haven't found the old priests hole yet. . . or seen the ghost.

Out and about today to visit CARLISLE Castle, museum and Art Gallery. History is incredible.

 Religion appears to be the main theme in this area . . ..  so many wars, people imprisoned.

  Work on stone walls completed by two bored guards. Walls are so thick. Over 600 years old.

 ART Gallery. Bonus Exhibition of Automated installations and a floor of Roman artifacts.

Then to local pub for tea before returning to Thurnham hall.

 Today we woke to rain. We have been extremely lucky with the weather so should not complain. Decided to take a trip to the Car Museum in Lake district, with over 30,000 motor vehicles. I sat in the Cafe reading as it had a wonderful veranda overhanging the river which was fast flowing and so clean.  Afterwards we drove to the local pub for an evening meal. When we returned to the hall, Arron decided to go for a walk, to look at the local church. He met a fellow who was a historian who was giving a talk to the Lancaster Historical Society members regarding the area, church and the Thurnham Hall family. He invited Arron, who invited us. 

 

It was Very interesting. The historian had withdrawn the very valuable historical artifacts from the bank to show the historians . . . the workmanship was incredible. Some had been hidden for over 300 years as the Catholic religion was unwelcome. Some have been on antique Road show . . . Have not seen that much detailed gold and silver shimmering outside of a museum or jewelry shop . . . incredible.

Returned to hall to listen to musician playing the piano and singing while we sipped hot chocolate made with real chocolate. Tomorrow we are going to Manchester to the Art Gallery and Museum and the Museum for Science and Industry. 

So much to see. Am enjoying staying in a place imbued with so much history . . .  though will be happy not to meet any ghosts. Walking through the cemetery tonight was scary enough !!