Ludlow weekend away

We love Ludlow, we went for a short break this weekend. It is situated on the Marches, which is the border land between Wales and England.
Very Historical, it was the place to which Katherine of Aragon arrived when she married Arthur Prince of Wales. Before she went on to marry Henry VIII after arthur died here in Ludlow.
We like the scenery it is surrounded by low hills that stretch for miles.
We also love the pub called the Church Inn, let me show you a few photos, this is where we had a meal.

I couldnt resist taking the pictures of the interesting things on the walls. As you sit inside, you overlook the wonderful church of St Lawrence.

St Laurences church pictured above, with its huge spire, that can be seen for miles around.

This is St Lawrences Church and Ludlow castle taken from a mile away, the castle is huge, but it appears as small to the left of the photo.

Outer castle wall and the green where we sat in the sunshine

Ludlows old houses

A busy market day in Ludlow, this is part of the Town of Ludlow, the market square which is by the castle.

 In the evening we went a circular walk, down by the castle around the outer walls, which lead to the river teme.

River Teme

Lots of activity on the water with the ducks

This lovely photo was taken by Gary, capturing a bee leaving the inside of this riverside flower.

Well, we couldnt really leave without visiting the Ludlow Brewery, which gives tours aroud its premises, stocks lots of real ale and smells delicious. Here is a picture of my very happy hubby with his stocks of beer ready to be bought home. A good time was had by both of us.

Another Glimpse

Just when you think that you have had your last glimpse of a certain precious bundle of joy born years ago, you are amazed when you find a photo you did not know you had.
I awoke thinking about my baby, and what lovely chubby legs she had and how she could kick, I automatically opened the drawer by my bed and took out her photo, I removed the sticky tape holding in another photo of her, and behind it was this photo. I was astounded. I don't know what made me take the back off the photo, my mind must have remembered something. Here she is, I was shocked to find a photo I looked and looked at it. How many years I have handled the photo frame by my bedside always, not knowing I had put another photo inside it.
This photo has bought me GREAT JOY. I feel blessed to have found it and to share it too.Another glimpse. Just wonderful.

Sad times

On saturday Lady gaga mart and lauras pet hamster died, two years old she bought much joy as their first family pet together.
We buried her with our sam in the back gardenBye bye  to a much loved pet.

Olympic Sports day Beaconside

 Family day out at the olympic day at Beaconside sports centre, above pic of Gary, who couldnt lift the weight.

Second picture shows pat harvey, our brother in law 20 years older than us at 75 who is world champ .

 This young lady our daughter Jenny, got banned from splat that rat, by Alex, for winning 20p!!

 Then there was our son Martin daughter in law Laura and Matt guitarist of Naked Sunday fame.

Two little boys our grandson Owen and friend Jack had their faces painted.

Jack just descending

Owen just going up the wall, the little human fly that he is, it was a lovely time out, craft stalls as well, so that pleased me, we saw other relatives as well it was as I called this post a family day out, and very nice it was.

David Austin Roses

I will let the photos of the gardens around David Austin do the talking for a visit here , another free entry around the gardens, where many new roses are bred and exported all over the world. Truly for Garden and rose lovers , a  visit is a must.

Cosford Air Museum

Spitfire from 2nd world war

We visited Cosford Air Museum on Monday, it is free to go in and there are three hangars full of planes for you to look at. It is very interesting, plenty to do for schoolchildren who were on a visit there.


War plane





  I thought the above plane with the cherry blossom emblem on it(japanese) very sad, to the people in Japan Cherry Blossom is a symbol of beauty and the fragility of life. Such is the fragility that a suicide bomber was willing to give his life in the second world war , bombing ships at sea in this plane and consequently himself. War is so sad.


looking upwards where planes are suspended from the ceiling



 There is also an exhibition on the cold war between Russia and the West in the 1960s. The above photo is of the protests by the women of Greenham Common, against War.

 This is a part of the Berlin Wall, partitioning east and west Germany after the second world war. Many people were shot trying to reach the west. Now that it is down, many pieces of the wall are kept personally or in museums like this one. The statue represents Families trying to see over the wall.



Figurines representing the cold war leaders.



A map of divided Germany





a plane from World War 1



A room as it would have been during the War

Although most of these photos are from the war era, there are lots and lots of modern day aircraft to see as well, also rescue helicopters and aircraft.

To finish with on a happy note a photo of the two of us at Cosford.

Well worth a visit.

WOW.. What a Garden

It wouldnt be fair on the people who own this garden to say where it was, or to show you a photograph of the house, yes we were allowed to take photos, I did ask. So I am going to show you some of the splendid Garden rooms and scenery in this post. It truly was one of the mose sumptuous NGS Garden we have visited so far, and over the years we have seen some.
This was a Garden on the grand scale with 8 Acres, no expense spared, so enjoyable I want to go for another look and I so hope it is open again next year.
Ready for the pics.. lets go.

First of all. the garden sculpture was fantastic, it gave the garden structure and beauty, there all year whatever the weather. Also it was underlit for nightime.

Sculpture in the shape of an Alium flower head

Bubble fountain and lights underneath the water,.

Swimming pool ..through the arch WOW!!

After the feast of sculpture both old and new, lets have a stroll down by the river and see the views,

We took a break after our walk and had a cup of tea and listened to the music on offer by The Tropical Sundays, a Calypso type band, with the steel drums, we looked through the photo books on show to viewers to see how the garden was created.
Then refreshed with Tea, we visited some of the beautiful planted areas starting with the white garden.

White Paeony

photo taken whilst sitting on the white rose arbour seat.

These David Austin Roses, I dont know the name are I think the most beautiful colour, such a glow.
Pic below.

Over the Bridge to the rose Trellis/Arbour

My favourite rose

End of the garden tour, I hope if you are looking at this that you have enjoyed the stroll around this garden and got a few ideas for your own, whether a planting scheme, or if not some enjoyment.