All – Page 15 – The BeenThere-DoneThat Blog

Time to catch a tram

18 January 2017 Barry Comments 0 Comment

We are just back from a short shopping trip.

We drove the short distance to Kington in Shropshire where Amanda wanted to visit a small garden centre as did I. As they were 'Hozelock, agents I was hoping that they would have a hose reel on a small trolley (which can be trundled around the garden with little effort), where the hose is completely enclosed, and they did. Whoopee. We need a hose! Amanda bought one plant and a few odds and ends.

We then drove a little further to Eardisley, one of the villages on the Black & White Trail, not to look at the village but to visit a bookshop/pub. It is an odd combination. They provide food, as well as books, and have many good reviews so we were hoping to have lunch there and Amanda wanted to look round their books. Typically they are closed until the end of the month for redecoration. Bummer!

So, where to get lunch now?

Opposite, on the other side of the road was another pub, The Tram Inn, so we decided to try that. Apparently in 1816 there was a horse drawn tramway constructed running from Hay-on-Wye to Eardisley bringing coal from Brecon. It was for industrial use only and not for moving people. The 17th century inn was already in existence but was renamed to celebrate the arrival of the tramway.

Our lunch turned out to be excellent and beautifully presented such that we would be more than happy to go there again.

No photographs this time. The weather was dry but the cloud was rather low such that when we climbed onto higher ground we went into the cloud. We will probably be back in better weather.

Another New Year – 2017

1 January 2017 Barry Comments 1 Comment

Well it's the first day of the new year and it's pouring with rain. I hope that's not an indication of how it's going to carry on as we have numerous plans for various trips this year.

Last thursday Amanda had the first of two planned cataract operations and that is, so far, progressing well. When we go travelling she'll be able to see her surroundings properly again.

Happy New Year to all .

Happy Christmas

23 December 2016 Barry Comments 3 Comments

A Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our visitors and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

A frosty reception

30 November 2016 Barry Comments 3 Comments

That's what we had this morning.

I mentioned previously that we had had a very cold night (for Britain) on Tuesday and that continued last night with temperatures forecast to go down to about the same as the night before i.e. around 27F. Amanda put the thermometer out first thing this morning and after leaving it for 15 minutes it read 19F.

It should be above freezing tonight!

I'll leave you with some pictures in our garden.

It will be December tomorrow!

Houses, Water and Fungi

29 November 2016 Barry Comments 0 Comment

Houses.

We have lived in Knighton for eight months now and I have walked past this house on the main road through the town centre many times without noticing it at all. That may seem unbelievable but it is set back from the road in a narrow little courtyard so perhaps I might be excused. Even so it is the oldest house in Knighton dating back to the fourteenth century and I managed to miss it until now.

The facade was actually replaced in the 17th century but the house behind it is a Cruck-framed construction from the 14th century. I have no idea how large, or small, it is inside. I have now also added this to the the Knighton web pages.

Water

About a week ago we had some heavy rain. I mean HEAVY! It went on for a day or two and the stream which runs alongside our garden changed a little in that time. This it what it looks like under normal conditions.

After the rain stopped it was like this.

We are not in any danger of being flooded but it was moderately impressive all the same. It seems worse when you can hear the rushing water as well. The weather is a bit different now. Clear sky and sun this morning but one pays a penalty for that. Last nigh was the coldest that we have experienced since we've been here at, according to the weather forecast, 27F. Amanda looked at the Min/Max thermometer in her greenhouse and that read 20F. We don't want too much of that.

Fungi.

This is an 'Inkcap' fungus soon after it appeared above ground. So why 'Inkcap'?

After a few days it starts to open up from the bottom when you may see why it has that particular name.

A few days later it has progressed a bit more.

And then a bit more.

Until the final stage. Not a pretty sight.

Today’s special Offa

7 November 2016 Barry Comments 3 Comments

Yes it's another mention of Offa's Dyke.

About 4 miles north of Knighton, in a straight line, is Llanfair Hill in Shropshire and Offa's Dyke runs across its western flank. The particular feature of this section is that it's on high ground, grazed by sheep, and there are therefore no trees nearby to mask it. It is also November and so the sun is low in the sky which makes very dramatic lighting.

I took these photographs this afternoon at around 3.00 PM so I'm going to bore you with them now. You have been warned.

Just to remind you – this bank and ditch was made on the instructions of Offa, King of Mercia in the 8th century. I can remember, in my young days, seeing all the men digging.