September 30 - to Porthcawl to visit friends
On the short walk to Goodrich Castle
Well preserved entry gate
Roaring Meg, fired 200 lb. gunpowder shells against this castle in 1646
Steepest & narrowest spiral staircase I have ever tried
Artist finishing new stained glass window in the castle
The tower butresses are unusual - our last visit to a Castle
We must be in Wales!
Some views of Tintern Abbey that we visited ten years ago
Then on to visit our friends in Porthcawl, Wales
Mary, daughter Anne, Jean, and Richard
Anne is off again
October 1 and 2
We take a trip to visit St. Fagans National History Museum.
Most of the buildings have been moved here, this is St. Teilo's Church.
Medieval paintings were recovered under newer layers.
Richard and Jean on the left.
Recreated Celtic Village based on remains
Inside one of the circular houses from the Iron-Age
Some group photos on the Museum grounds - Elizabethan manor house in the background
Back at home, Mary checks her hens. More eggs, her hens have just started laying!
The Snoopy room, our guest room at Richard and Mary's
Back yard
Back yard garden, another garden is next to the garage behind this yard
The next day we go for a ride and a walk
Queens Avenue, Jean in distance
Mary checks out the bird possiblilties at the Kenfig Nature Reserve Center.
We first hike to a bird watching area, then head for the beach
We do get a nice flower display where I got this butterfly close-up as we walk to the beach
We walk across the grass covered sand dunes until we reach the sea - Bristol Channel
Some nice gray rocks with pink intrusions are on the beach, would be nice in our fountain at home but too big to carry home.
But I find this small one, that's Elvis on the left, his guitar on the right - a rare find, especially since Porthcawl has an Elvis festival every year! Honest, this is a real, non-edited rock.
Jean, Mary and Richard on this very pleasant day
We enjoy picnic lunch above the beach and then start our trek back, passing the Sker House
Sker House, 900 years ago a monastic grange, historic house but now private one.
Information at - http://www.kenfig.org.uk/skerhouse.html
On our way back to the Nature Center and car
Hmmm? Now which way?
Clinging vine
Our Hike - estimated routes
How come Richard and Tom don't get a cold snack??
We do have a wonderful meal at Ogmore Farm (web photo) next to the Ruins of Ogmore Castle
Richard and Mary at home - We much enjoyed our short visit and their hospitality, hopefully they will come to visit the Northwest
