We took it easy on our 2nd day! We were exhausted from a looong first day of driving...you're tense the entire time, whether passenger or driver. The country roads are incredibly narrow, treacherous and uncertain. It has taken us a good while to get used to the signs (or lack thereof, rather) and roundabouts. So we woke up and just decided to wander around Cardiff before backtracking a little to stay at Thornbury Castle where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn once stayed for 10 days (!!!).
Cardiff Castle was GORGEOUS.
Random gator for my Florida pals.
Look at that fireplace tile!
WWII Poster
Not my Peepie, but a cute little Welsh one.
We need a pub. I've been slightly obsessed with painted doors over here.
Sprawling green parks everywhere in Cardiff with kids and families on bikes and running around playing cricket. Impromptu picnics were cropping up all over the place on what they call their Bank Holiday. The entire country shut down for a 4-day Easter Weekend.
TK Maxx? I don't see why not.
My Mom is super amazing and generous and treated us all to a stay in a castle. A real one! Thornbury Castle was built in 1521 for Edward Stafford, the 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn once stayed there for 10 days. Our new friend Brian, the GM, told us that they used to travel around with their posse and would dump all their trash and carousing excesses into the local rivers. They would leave the town whenever it started to stink from their filth. Apparently 10 days in Thornbury was some kind of record. Gross.
View from our room...
Our bed...
Our room...
The door leading to the stairs leading to our room...
The gardens were so incredibly beautiful. I could've spent a day out there trying to identify everything.
The room Hank and Anne stayed in! Brian was so cool and gave us the sneaky tour...
More later...the wireless service has been sketchy sketcherson. Sorry for the slow posting.
Looks like y'all are having a MARVELOUS time! I heard once that TJ Maxx over there had to be called TK Maxx b/c there was already a store with a similiar name, & they wanted to prevent confusion!
ReplyDeleteKeep the post coming! & you know I can't wait to see pics from the WEDDDDDDDDING!!
ohh, you're actually staying there? so fun... and spooky. enjoy!
ReplyDeleteomg! I can't believe you were actually in a room that Henry and Anne stayed in. It's a little bit of touring/gossip/scandal/history. Did you read that great series about Henry and his wives?? I loved it.
ReplyDeleteYes! cool fireplace tiles - you picked out the one seaside/coastal/turquoise element in the whole darn castle.....Have a blast!