Two "Stately Homes" for the Price of One.

Tuesday 12th August, 2014 in Lydney and Gloucester.
Our good friends Annie and Paddy had invited us over to Lydney for the day, so we caught an early train from Gloucester. It is only a short trip to Lydney but very attractive as the train line runs down beside the Severn (on the other side from where MM had been). It underlined how very big the Severn is.

Paddy was waiting at the station and ferried us back to their lovely cottage where Annie had prepared a delicious second breakfast over which we exchanged news of chldren and grand-children.
Another treat was in store - a trip to Raglan Castle. What a magnificent and opulent dwelling it must have been in its heyday!

 Obviously built more for comfort than defence, it was a royalist stronghold in the Civil War and was severely damaged by the Parliamentarians who sadly ensured that it could never be lived in again.

The only inhabitants now are families of swallows, who didn't seem very bothered by our presence - in fact, they were close enough to touch them (although we didn't, of course).

We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to wander almost without restriction around the ruins - perhaps the dreaded "Elf" is not quite so rampant in Wales.
Lunch was at the farmstead next door; it looks as if it might once have supplied the castle.

Tea and home made cake back at Annie and Paddy's cottage preceeded a visit to another "stately home", the house that they are renovating and extending on a hilltop above Lydney. Progress has been frustratingly slow due to suppliers' inefficiency but the house, originally built in 1900, will be beautiful when finished.

Annie's cooking is legendary, and dinner was yet another highlight of the day before they drove us down to the station to catch the train back to Gloucester. M was concerned that it had been a lot of work for them, but they assured us that they were very happy to be able to take a "day off" house building.
As we went to bed, the lights from the apartments all around in the restored warehouses surrounding Gloucester harbour made the prettiest sight.

No movement today.