91. Derby and the Welsh villages of Powys and Clun

The best part of the Bagworth sit was the time to just stop and take stock. After being on the road for short bursts and so long, it was great to stay still and emotionally and physically regroup.  Having said that, once we knew we were leaving after two and a half months, excitement filled us as we knew we were heading back into the countryside and more importantly, the Welsh countryside as this has been a journey Max has wanted to do for a very long time.

We left Bagworth and stopped in Derby for the night as we had pre-bought tickets for a discussion night put on by the Ickonic crew. These guys run a news/media organisation based in Derby and we follow their news presentations on a regular basis. It was good to be a part of the night and the meet and greet that followed. 

Good to see David Icke again.


The next morning we left Derby and crossed the Welsh border into Powys where we spent two nights in an Air B&B in some wonderful countryside. The owner gave us some nice supplies including fresh eggs from the chooks that reside next to the cottage.

The cottage we stayed in and the chook yard on the left


We visited Clun, a village not far away. The scenery along the way was beautiful with rolling green hills with fields separated by manicured hedges. We had a cup of tea in one of the cafes. They knit their own tea cosies.


The remains of Clun castle sit on a hill overlooking the town.


The castle sits high on a rocky mound in a loop of the river Clun. It was founded shortly after the Norman Conquest to demonstrate the authority of the English monarchy over this part of the border region. The castle and the nearby settlement prospered in the 13th century thanks to the Fitzalan family but had to put up with a number of attacks from across the Welsh border. It was used as a hunting lodge in the 14th century but was increasingly neglected, and by 1539 the castle was reported as ruinous.




The stone bridge connecting the town


This Welsh language has me beat


The Main Street


A closeup of the Clocktower keeping perfect time


And the humour...


After two days, we venture on to Skenfrith for a doggy sit. It's a cute Hamlet near Monmouth with one pub, castle ruins, and a church. 

Comments

  1. KayeMarch 26, 2024 at 7:55 AM

    That Welsh sentence. I've tried to write it phonically for you: ud ic chi wed ee ta ee ac arth ang oss
    Hope that helps 😀

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 26, 2024 at 9:26 AM

    Lovely photos again of our beautiful country. Glen

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 26, 2024 at 9:43 AM

    Love it Paul and Max! Yes Welsh is a language from another planet! lol Love, Ian and Som

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MaxineMarch 26, 2024 at 12:43 PM

      I always knew there was something wrong with me 🤣🤣

      Delete
  4. Mary Lawrence March 30, 2024 at 8:21 AM

    Fabulous photos! Meeting the Icke crew wasn't too shabby either. I appreciate the phonetic translation, but it's still doing my head in 🤣

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Max and Paul's Excellent AdventureApril 2, 2024 at 5:58 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Max and Paul's Excellent AdventureApril 2, 2024 at 5:59 PM

      Great bunch of guys Mary. What was good too was being amongst the hundreds of like minded souls!

      Delete
    3. Mary Lawrence April 3, 2024 at 10:41 PM

      I'll bet! There's nothing like it 😊

      Delete
    4. NataliaMay 9, 2024 at 12:48 AM

      OMG - that sign! Does gen i ddim syniad beth rydych chi'n ceisio'i ddweud.
      (I haven a clue what youre trying to say)
      How much fun is that tea cosy 🤩

      Delete

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