Sept 16 Llansteffan Castle (Day 355)
We visited the ruins of Llansteffan Castle, about 30 miles from our B&B on the banks of the river Towy (the native Welsh name is Tywi, and I don’t know how to pronounce either name!) where it empties into Carmarthen Bay. It was a beautiful sunny day.
The entrance gate opens onto a huge green field that must have held many soldiers from 600 BC until the 1550’s when the castle defended the important road to the interior of Wales. After 1550 its importance waned and it was used for farm buildings!
Details on the gate, lots of lions!
Inside the castle walls, looking back at the gate and the river below with farm fields across the river.
We returned to our B&B to enjoy a beautiful sunset on our little balcony on our last night in Wales!
Sept 15 Aberglasney Gardens (Day 354)
We took advantage of our hosts offer of their membership card to Aberglasney Gardens and spent the day wandering the 10 acres of grounds and buildings of this stunning botanical treasure!
The 500 year old estate had passed through many families hands before being rescued from oblivion in 1995 by the Aberglasney Restoration Trust.
There are 20 different garden designs, from formal to kitchen gardens, orchards and woodlands.
Creeks flow around the estate and fill this rectangular pond and other water features.
The estate mansion is only partially restored and used for functions and holds an extensive botanical library.
The main hall is elegant, but the ruins of the rest of the mansion have been capped with a greenhouse roof and now holds a tropical garden, including producing banana trees!
The grounds are full of blooming flowers and colorful birds.
Sept 14 A Non-Rainy Walk (Day 353)
Today we returned to the nearby woods to attempt the walk that was cut short by rainy weather 4 days ago. We had delightful weather today and walked a loop through the woods and out onto a hillside with a wonderful view of the surrounding Welsh countryside!
Sept 13 Tenby (Day 352)
We took a drive south to the town of Tenby with it’s harbour, beach, hill castle and medieval walls.
Our route took us over the hilltop moors, past small bands of sheep.
We arrived and found a parking space in a lot outside the old city walls. We took a stroll around the outside of the city walls, down to the beach and up on Castle Hill to get wonderful views.
Tenby Harbour.
Castle Beach across from St. Catherine’s Island with it’s fortress on top. We missed low tide during which you can walk to the island! The ferry travels to another island with a lighthouse.
We then ventured inside the city walls and discovered quaint Welsh indoor spaces!
St. Mary’s Anglican Church.
The intimate fireside room in the bar of The Plantagenet House Restaurant!
We returned to our comfortable accommodation in time to enjoy the sunset with the dairy cows!
