Wales

After our lazy lie in today, our leisurely breakfast and packing a bit of a picnic, we head to Coldicote Castle, which unbeknownst to me, was actually in Wales. I had no idea that we were so close to Wales, shows how ignorant I am, and also how geographically challenged I am, I’d best not loose Chris or the GPS during these next few months.

The castle was nice, not as big as it was perceived to be in the brochure, but nice all the same. They lost a little of the historic atmosphere though, as all around the gardens and in the castle ruin rooms they’d placed stuffed folk art rabbits for Easter, they also had some school holiday activity happening where children had to find all the clues etc, which is all well and good, but it appeared every mother in Wales that brought there snotty kid to the grounds to complete these activities and receive their free mini egg gift.

The towers though were quite nice and had beautiful views. I could happily be a princess if it meant waking up to that view every day, the Welsh country side is gorgeous! We had a lovely few hours wandering about the gardens, sitting and watching the swans and ducks (we sound like such an old couple, but in our defence, it was really nice and relaxing!) before settling down to eat our picnic lunch full of yummy and healthy treats. It was cold today and god I craved a good hot Milo, but I soldiered on and had my liter of water with lunch.

Coldicote Castle

Coldicote castle

Just as we were thinking of leaving Jen remembered that there was an old Abbey close by and did we want to see that? We agreed on the proviso that we all got a hot drink when we arrived there. Having negotiated this skillfully and successfully we found ourselves in this amazingly, gorgeous, take your breath away want to live there forever, valley called Tintern, and the Abbey was mind-blowing, jaw dropping, lost for words beautiful. It was just ruins, but oh my gosh, just gorgeous.

Tintern Abbey

Bloody hell, more of Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey ruins

The abbey was built around 1123 AD and housed monks who had chosen to adopt the ‘poverty’ lifestyle (just as Mother Teresa did many many years later) and who wanted to house themselves away from the ‘world’, and I have to say, what a place to do it! Back in its day Tintern would have been a difficult place to access being in a little Welsh Valley. These monks would get up at 2am to meditate and do this up to 8 times a day (that is the definition of dedication if you ask me) they would go to church and listen to lessons and would sing in choirs. The sense of peace and stillness you get from this place is indescribable. You could spend days there and not get sick of it, despite the fact that from the outside (and admittedly the inside) it is all just ruins. The old structure that remains is breath taking though, such high walls with amazing windows and door frames, amazing peaceful views from each window, and the thought that went into the foundations and architecture is beautiful. Thus far, I have to say that this has been one of my most favourite places to visit! Wales is truly beautiful with its green pastures and laid back, content lifestyle. I would love to see more of it before we go, and with 5 or so months left up our sleeves, I would hope we can make this possible.

written by  Chris and Emily on April 14, 2009 from Caldicot, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: Europe 2009
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