We're off again today to see the sights. This time we are headed to Wales. On the way we drove to the British Church Historical Sites of Benbow's Pond and Gadfield Elm Chapel, and then drove by the little old Corse Church were Devon's ancestors were married. We arrived in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, in the evening just in time to check into our hotel and get some dinner. Then we played Wizard in the lobby until bedtime.
Benbow's Pond
Gadfield Elm Chapel
Wales is castle country so that is what we toured. Cardiff and Caerphilly Castles on Tuesday, and St. Fagan's Natural History Museum and Castle Coch (the fairy tale castle) on Wednesday. We also enjoyed seeing the beautiful Welsh countryside. Then back to Birmingham.
Cardiff Castle
One restored, painted ceiling in Cardiff Castle - there were many - so gorgeous!
Inside Cardiff Castle
Our knights in shinning armor - well, helmets!
Just one building at St. Fagan's Natural History Museum
The above two pictures are both from inside restored Castle Coch.
Thursday, December 29
We decided to try to see one of the National Trust sites we had seen before, but were very disappointed to find out only the grounds and garden were open - not the house. Seems a lot of properties are closed this time of year. They told us of a property that was open so we drove there. Indeed it was open, but it is not restored, so mostly we saw bare rooms - still it was interesting.
Friday, December 30
We drove to Preston to do a temple session. It rained all day! We were all pretty glad to get safely home - especially Devon who was driving. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. On the way home we drove through Manchester - Howard's mission area. Many of the sights were familiar, but of course many things have changed.
Manchester Stake Center
Saturday, December 31
Today we drove to Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeares birth and burial place. So interesting to see the room where he was probably born. We also saw a couple of houses his daughters lived in and his wife's, Anne Hathaway's, childhood home. It is amazing to realize you are walking in something build in the 1500's.
Back of Shakespeare's birthplace.
Then we came home, had dinner and a relaxing evening together. We did manage stay up until midnight to ring in the New Year.
Sunday, January 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
We had a regular schedule of church today. Enjoyed a nice meal together at the flat, then Edi tackled the job of packing for their return trip home.
I can't express how much we enjoyed the Winberg's visit and how grateful we are that they came. I'm afraid we would have been pretty homesick without them here. With them we were busy and having a great time every day. Christmas is about being with family and Edi and Howard are certainly family to us!
