How could we top the first week of this month? Well, we could – and did!
The weekend after we got back from Germany we did something we've said for months we should do. We got on the bus and went to a pub the other side of Barry called the Blue Anchor,
for a nice Saturday lunch. There's been a pub on this site since 1380. 1380! It's a beautiful stone building which looks as though it's evolved over the centuries, and the roof is thatched.
The floors are uneven, doorways are narrow and low, and you can see the scorch marks from previous fires which have ravaged the pub. We had a fantastic meal, with great beers, in the little rabbit warren which is the pub. It was the best pub meal we've had in months. The beers were good to – Waterworth's, and Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale.
The next day we walked down to Cardiff Bay to walk across the Barrage. It was a windy, slightly rainy day, but it was good. We got caught half way across the Barrage when it had to open the locks to allow boats in and out. It was pretty interesting to see, as the opening was cantilevered. Cool....
The following weekend we went to Shrewsbury – mostly because Kathy is a fan of the Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael murder-mystery series. On the train on the way up were a bunch of blokes we think were on their way up to Manchester to watch the football. They were very, um, cheerful – obviously intent on having a very good time. We got to Shrewsbury and found our way to the tourist office and picked up a map of the town. We wandered the streets a bit on our way to the Abbey, but first stopped at the Old Market Hall,
which was where the merchants used to sell their fleeces and wool fabrics Shrewsbury was famous for in the middle ages, and corn. The streets are filled with with original half-timbered buildings.
We got to the Abbey, and Kathy was overjoyed to see the rich pink colour of the building,
but was disappointed that it wasn't the original Norman church, and it had been significantly damaged during the dissolution of the monasteries, and subsequent neglect. All that remains is the church, with stumpy bits on the side where the abbey buildings had been.
The nave of Shrewsbury Abbey
The top of the Western door of the Abbey
There were beautiful stained glass windows,
and a nice ceiling to look at.
Part of the ceiling near the High Altar with stained glass
We saw the tomb of Robert de Mountfort,
who was the founder of the Abbey, and a tomb cover of a monk from St. Giles, which was the leper hospital.
Kathy was pretty disappointed, but a walk in the lovely sunshine through the narrow winding streets cheered her up. Because it's us, we stopped to have a bit of a drink. We went to the Nag's Head and had Young's Bitter, and to The Lion Hotel and had Butty Bach. The Lion Hotel is an old 16th century coaching inn, and is still used as a hotel. There is an amazing original fireplace in the main entry foyer. Apparently Dickens stayed there, and played the piano in the ballroom. We had a nice lunch there, too.
Other beers we had were the Dark Star Hophead, and (if I can read my notes correctly) a Ludlow something at the Three Fishes? After lunch we wandered around to Fish Lane and Bear Steps, and found a lovely little church at the top of the steps surrounded by a little green – full of people, as well. 
We were getting a bit tired, when Kathy said “let's go in to St. Mary's Church”. It's no longer an actively used church, due to a consolidation of parishes in the area, but OMG!!! It's an AMAZING church. It has an incredible wooden ceiling,
and just amazing stained glass.
This is the last picture of stained glass - promise!
One doorway in to the church...
And another doorway in to the church
We learnt that the current medieval church was built on top of the ruins of a Saxon church using Roman era stone blocks. Brilliant. So beautiful.
Kathy on her way to the Castle
We tried to go to Shrewsbury Castle, but there was a wedding on. It was made of the same pink stone that the Abbey is made of, but is surrounded by pretty gardens.
Shrewsbury Castle
View back towards the Castle wall
Huge bumblebee on a chrysanthemum - that's Kathy's hand, btw
After negotiating the crowds on their way to the U2 concert at the Stadium, we finished off the day with a great meal at the Conway – beautiful French rose, steak for Matt and gurnard with samphire for Kathy, cognac, cheese and general yumminess all around.
We've started going back to the local farmers market. Finds have included seasonal apples and plums, punnets of mystery tomatoes, spelt bread (mmmmm), and yellow runner beans.
One weekend we went to the pub for lunch, when a group of Indian guys came in – mix of Hindu and Sikh. One Sikh guy said, in a Welsh accent “so I told him – you buy me a kilt and I'll wear it”! Very funny.
The last weekend of the month was a Bank Holiday weekend – but that's for another post.
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