We headed across to Wales this morning, across the massive Severn River, and into the hilly countryside dotted with sheep. Our first stop for the day was 15th century
Raglan Castle. This was super fun, exploring the castle's nooks and crannies, stairwells and cellars. The grounds were gorgeously green and set high upon a hill. The castle is generally associated with Sir William ap Thomas, who was knighted by Henry VI and became known as the "Blue Knight of Gwent".
Benedict: I liked the design of the castle, and how you could go to the very top and get a good view.
Oliver: I like that the castle was pretty much intact and you could get a feel of what the castle was like back when people lived in it. I liked that it was the last castle to be built in Wales.
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| Driving over the Severn River |
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| Raglan Castle |
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| Praying |
Following a fun hour or so in the castle, we drove further into Wales to visit
The Big Pit. We enjoyed a few hours here learning about the history and culture of coal miners in Wales - something the men and their families are intensely proud of. We took a tour of the mine, heading 90 metres underground to do so. Our tour guide was a jovial chap who made the whole tour entertaining. I did not realise that there were horses used in mines, and those horses only ever saw the sunlight and green grass for two weeks a year.
Oliver & Benedict: This was our favourite part of the day because you got to go down the mine shaft and see how you had to work in there. In the museum afterwards it told you how people would work before there were machines to do the mining, and then when there were machines that took over. We also liked learning about all the poisons down in the mine, like carbon monoxide, and how it was very dangerous. Something simple like a watch battery could set off a spark and blow up the whole mine.
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| Getting ready to head 90 metres underground |
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| Emerging from the Big Pit |
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| View over the town and mine |
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| A drill |
A short stroll back into the historical township took us past a
Rhymney Brewery, so it was necessary to stop for a cold beer given the 30 degree day.
We are now at our home in a village of
Bedlinog. The country roads are hairy here too ... or should I say wooly! Sheep everywhere! Still, it is pretty and very quiet and will suit us well for the next four nights.
