Helen (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
heleninwales) wrote2024-08-23 04:04 pm
heleninwales) wrote2024-08-23 04:04 pm
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Day out in Shrewsbury
Originally the plan was to meet our daughter A and family in Builth Wells, but the forecast was for a very hot day and she had a headache the day before. We therefore postponed to the following Saturday, by which time our granddaughter E had a cold and I didn't feel like driving all the way to Mid Wales where there really isn't much to do. There is a nice riverside walk that starts from the car park in Builth Wells, but we've done it several times before. The town itself doesn't have much to offer.
Initially I suggested we leave it because we are going to Cardiff in mid-September (apartment booked). We had been texting back and forth and had spoken on the phone then A called back and said, why don't we meet in Shrewsbury? So, last Tuesday we did!
Our daughter caught the train from Newport and did some work during the 2 hour journey. We drove to our nearest station (Machynlleth) and caught the train there. It worked really well and we had a lovely day walking around the path that runs by the river.
The weather turned out fine, though it was quite windy. The town of Shrewsbury sits in a great loop of the river Severn. We didn't manage to walk all the way round, but ended up walking 7½ miles during the day.
A view across the river to one of the many churches.
After walking and catching up on all the family news, we headed across the footbridge to discover a large and attractive park. I'd seen "Quarry" on the map and thought it was, well, a quarry. Having now googled, it was a quarry but a very long time ago. The park was created in 1719 and the Dingle (which we didn't see but will look for next time we visit) was cleared out and planted to create ornamental gardens which opened in 1879. The well known (to Brits) gardener Percy Thrower was the Parks Superintendent there for many years. There is a blue plaque on the house by the main gates which explains he once lived there.
We crossed over the river the first time on a road bridge, but crossed back on this footbridge. It had that disconcerting bounce that footbridges often have when you are in the middle. At each step you are aware of the bridge pushing back.
We popped into the indoor market to visit the loos. The market looked very impressive with stalls selling all the usual things found in the best indoor markets. It was busy and thriving, as was Shrewsbury in general, bucking the trend of many small towns which often look sad and neglected.
We will definitely do this again as way of meeting our daughter. There is still plenty to explore and the travel was easy.
Walking to Rivendell
Miles travelled today: ½
Miles travelled this week: 16
Miles travelled from Bag End: 273
Miles still to go: 185
Percentage complete: 60%
Point reached on journey: The land has not changed much since we entered the wild and pathless area with thickets of trees and bushes. It is a cheerless place and our progress is slow and gloomy.
Initially I suggested we leave it because we are going to Cardiff in mid-September (apartment booked). We had been texting back and forth and had spoken on the phone then A called back and said, why don't we meet in Shrewsbury? So, last Tuesday we did!
Our daughter caught the train from Newport and did some work during the 2 hour journey. We drove to our nearest station (Machynlleth) and caught the train there. It worked really well and we had a lovely day walking around the path that runs by the river.
The weather turned out fine, though it was quite windy. The town of Shrewsbury sits in a great loop of the river Severn. We didn't manage to walk all the way round, but ended up walking 7½ miles during the day.
A view across the river to one of the many churches.
After walking and catching up on all the family news, we headed across the footbridge to discover a large and attractive park. I'd seen "Quarry" on the map and thought it was, well, a quarry. Having now googled, it was a quarry but a very long time ago. The park was created in 1719 and the Dingle (which we didn't see but will look for next time we visit) was cleared out and planted to create ornamental gardens which opened in 1879. The well known (to Brits) gardener Percy Thrower was the Parks Superintendent there for many years. There is a blue plaque on the house by the main gates which explains he once lived there.
We crossed over the river the first time on a road bridge, but crossed back on this footbridge. It had that disconcerting bounce that footbridges often have when you are in the middle. At each step you are aware of the bridge pushing back.
We popped into the indoor market to visit the loos. The market looked very impressive with stalls selling all the usual things found in the best indoor markets. It was busy and thriving, as was Shrewsbury in general, bucking the trend of many small towns which often look sad and neglected.
We will definitely do this again as way of meeting our daughter. There is still plenty to explore and the travel was easy.
Walking to Rivendell
Miles travelled today: ½
Miles travelled this week: 16
Miles travelled from Bag End: 273
Miles still to go: 185
Percentage complete: 60%
Point reached on journey: The land has not changed much since we entered the wild and pathless area with thickets of trees and bushes. It is a cheerless place and our progress is slow and gloomy.
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Bag End sounds so 'Hobbity' :)
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