Greetings to all who are joining my journey around England! It's wonderful to have you along!
After arriving by train without incident, I was welcomed by my dear friend Anne Redfern and her marvelous husband David. After checking me in, we enjoyed a fish and chips dinner at the hotel. We discussed various options for sight-seeing and they surprised with the option of going to Wales and seeing a castle! They didn't have to ask me twice!
Other than a few sprinkles on the way over and a few threatening clouds, it was another dry and glorious weather day. Upon arriving in Conwy, Wales, the incredible castle looms large:
After arriving by train without incident, I was welcomed by my dear friend Anne Redfern and her marvelous husband David. After checking me in, we enjoyed a fish and chips dinner at the hotel. We discussed various options for sight-seeing and they surprised with the option of going to Wales and seeing a castle! They didn't have to ask me twice!
Other than a few sprinkles on the way over and a few threatening clouds, it was another dry and glorious weather day. Upon arriving in Conwy, Wales, the incredible castle looms large:
Around the town you can see remnants of the castle walls, such as the photo on the right.
We walked down the quaint village street and turned towards the harbour:
Top left is an example of the signs around town which are in both Welsh and English. Top right is the cliffside overlooking the sea and the pier (which we drove to after lunch). Bottom left is the harbour with the castle in the background and bottom right are my sweet friends David and Annie.
Speaking of lunch, at Anne's (coinkidinkily) we found a quintessential tea room and I had a quintessential Sunday roast dinner, followed by what I've come to know are very generous and quintessentially delicious English desserts! Everything was divine!
Amazing chandelier, isn't it?! Oh? You couldn't tear your eyes off the food? Go ahead, run and get a nibble of something, I'll wait for you.
Oops, I nearly forgot, how about this one of me with an iconic British post box and tardis?
~~~
On the way back to Knutsford, we stopped at St. Margaret's Church which can be seen from the motorway. I love visiting old churches and graveyards, so this was another delight.
This church was built in 1856 and it only took four years! My photos don't do it justice. Annie, who has visited many more ancient churches than I have declared it to be one of the finest she's ever seen. The marble and the stained glass windows on all sides are simply gorgeous.
As we neared Knutsford, I had to take this shot out of the car window of King Knute protecting the local residents from foreigners. Fortunately, he was looking the other way so I wasn't beheaded!
I'm a bit behind so you may see another post later today or tomorrow as I try and catch up with myself! Unless I drop into a food coma!
To be continued ...
~~~
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
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As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!
*Life is too short!
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67 comments:
I am just in awe at all the ladies who so kindly took you sight seeing and drove you around. I love them all and I'm so impressed with the hubby's who came along to meet you too. I'm worried that your suitcase isn't the only thing heavy after seeing all that food! What wonderful stampers you have met and how fun they all are. It's always the best to sightsee with local people who know where to take you and where to eat. I am just worn out by the end of the day after all this traveling with you. Hugs.
Oh what a feast for the eyes Darnell! You really are ticking things off your list - and your time with Anne and David certainly pulled a few out of the hat, A castle! A real British 'Sunday roast' dinner (complete with Yorkshire pudding I see!) - and that beautiful chrrch complete with the tombstones we spoke about. A double whammy getting the telephone box and the post box together too! So glad things are going really well for you and hope you're still finding some time to rest up a bit! The Retreat is next isn't it (tomorrow) - do keep the posts coming, we love reading about your adventures and it's such fun to see things through your eyes!
Love and hugs
Di xxx
Glad to see you're ticking of lots of 'must see' things! I haven't been to Conwy for years, but loved the town and castle too. Enjoy the rest of your day and looking forward to the next instalment.
Kath x
Fabulous photos and I'm glad I also got to meet a lot of your friends including Anne ...You really do look amazing by the way!
Another whistle stop tour and so pleased your getting to see things on your 'wish list'...we haven't visited Conway for a very long time..
nothing better than a traditional Sunday roast and of course desserts are a must worry about the waistline when you get home!
Have a great time at the retreat and look forward to hearing and seeing more of your adventures...
Anne x
WoW - how amazing. What wonderful things to see and I love that church.. it's so beautiful :-)
I think you and Hammy will weigh a hell of a lot more when you get back home !!! hahahaha LoL
Hugz
IKE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm so glad you found a church which was unlocked, since the two we tried were both locked! Lovely pix again and it looks like the Darnell Roadshow is still having a blast. I've been checking other blogs today and see you are responsible for introducing people who've become friends and who now know two of my friends - SMALL WORLD!!!
See you Friday
Kathyk
I'm loving reading about your trip to the UK, Darnell. The photos of Conwy really take me back as although I now live in Scotland I grew up in nearby Llandudno. Hope the rest of your visit is just fabulous!
Well I am glad your head is still safely attached to your body and I am also becoming increasingly jealous of all those fantastic sights you're seeing! They would have had to pry me away from that castle with force!
Another fantastic post about your amazing trip. Thanks for sharing xxx
I see you are still having fun time!! Gorgeous pictures!!
So glad you are getting to see some real history on your visit over here Darnell and sample some of the local dishes! I got the feeling that that is what your visit was about (apart from meeting all you faithful blogging friends of course) and was looking forward to experiencing those things. Pity you didn't get to try a Devon Cream Tea, with real clotted cream! Maybe on your next visit! I hope you continue to have wonderful experiences and don't get too tired and safe journey home when you leave sweet friend! Hazel xx
My Card Attic
What a great time you are having Darnell and wonderful to get the opportunity to see a little bit of Wales too and sounds like you are having the best time with Anne and David. I love the pics of Conwy which brought back some happy memories of going there a number of years ago and also that lovely church, and the stained glass looks super. Glad you managed to have some roast beef and yorkshshire pudding and yummy dessert too, and how amazing... that King Arthur pops up all over the country. I look forward to seeing more of the Darnell roadshow. x
It has been a total pleasure meeting you Darnell and spending time with you. It was amazing, meeting all those fabulous crafting ladies yesterday too. So pleased you are getting to see a few small parts of this beautiful island! Hugs, Annie xxx
Love the photo journey. How nice fan club members have met you and fed you and transported you on this adventure.
I've been away so just beginning to catch up with your adventures in the UK. It sounds as if you're having a great time and I'm just so sorry I wasn't able to be one of those lucky enough to meet up with you.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your roast dinner oh! and dessert. It's great seeing all the happy photos. I think you're going to need a holiday when you get home.... Barbxx
Loving your stories and living this experience through your eyes!! Thank you so much for sharing! You are blessed!
You have had the best tour guides as you make your way through the UK. What a lovely adventure with Anne and David. Wales is beautiful, and how exciting to visit that amazing castle.
Sounds like the food is divine. And what a treat having a true English High Tea! xx
So glad you're enjoying your trip ..... looks like you're having a lot of fun and definitely seeing the sights. Happy travels xx
Thank you for sharing your adventure with us Darnell. Love seeing your red sling bag matches the post box color. Love looking at all those photographs. Such memorable and beautiful vacation for you. Hugs xx
So happy you aren't starving on your British jaunt. These photos are fantastic...you have an eye for photography, as well as, cardmaking...all that talent oozing out of your pores...how do you stand it? Have always wanted to go to Wales...just to see its coastline up close. From what I can tell, it is just how my feeble imagination pictured it.
Oh MIss D.!!! Another day or two of adventuring in England and Wales. *sigh* I so wish I were with you on this journey; it looks like an amazing trip. What chandelier?, lol!! And you got me thinking of Leigh Penner with your tardis. Wait till she sees this! All that amazing history to gaze at and think about.... This looks like the most perfect crafting vacation ever. (The Lake House is on its own level, right?! lol). Enjoy the rest of your trip. xoxo Bev
Hi Darnell,
Your trip looks amazing! So glad the weather has been cooperating; but I notice your slicker so see you came prepared. Such lovely sites and what better way to see them than with local friends. I'll be going back on your posts to see what I've missed.
Great to see you having a wonderful time!
Hugs,
Kay
Oh my, what an amazing day!! How sweet of Anne and her hubby to take you to the castle!! Seeing a real one is on my bucket list!! And I absolutely love the gorgeous church, too!! I'm so glad King Arthur was looking in the other direction ;) Enjoy all of that divine-looking food and meeting so many amazing people!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
I love the piccie of you squeezing between the phone box and post box with your matching red handbag :). Can't wait for the next instalment ;)
Fabulous to see you yesterday and lovely to see in photos the day you described with Anne and David. They know all the best places to go! Enjoy the retreat and safe travels lovely lady xx
Wow--what a wonderful way to see the British Isles with local friends as tour guides! You're definitely making me want to go back as a real adult (I was darn young when I went), but I don't have all those friends so really it's better enjoying your trip through these posts! Big hugs, Greta
I visited Conwy many years ago and always wished to go back. I remember the castle was lovely and so were the quaint shops. Glad you are getting to see some jewels of Great Britain which are often overlooked. Enjoy your travels. Hugz
Hi Darnell, By heck you are getting around:) So glad you had a lovely time with your friends and got to see Conway Castle. Your lunch looked good enough to eat:)
Looking forward to your next installment. Sue
what an amazing journey you are experiencing! love the photos from today's instalment.
Darnell, looks like you're having so much fun on this trip and seeing some wonderful things. I feel like I'm almost there with you!
Lynn
Oh, Darnell, so very happy that you could wander up to Conwy! We stayed 2 nights in 2003, visited several other castles in Wales and thoroughly enjoyed the gardens. You have had the best trail guides too! Ta Ta
So enjoying your posts and the many around blog land about your visit, very envious x Glad you are having such a fabulous time x
Love seeing you gallop around the country enjoying yourself - and especially the food! So sorry I couldn't get to Knutsford yesterday, but I do hope you had a lovely time with your other crafty friends :) xx
Loving all your travel details! When the internet was invented, who would have thought one could make so many wonderful friends through blogging!!!?
Keep on telling about (and photographing) all the wonderful food you're eating - makes me so envious!
Thanks for sharing all your travel adventures.
Wonderful photos of your journey, thanks for sharing! You are surely enjoying your holiday!! :D
You really are having the most amazing travels. So glad the train journey was without incident. We went to Conwy castle before we were married so many years ago now.
wonderful photos Darnell, and I am loving traveling with you through these posts.
I too am thoroughly enjoying your pictures and narrative of your trip. Am so glad you got to go and are having a grand time. I've always wanted to go to England as I minored in English Lit in college.
Thanks so much for posting. Have a great rest of your trip. Safe and healthy travels.
Hugs,
Jeanne H
My goodness you're getting some miles in! And some calories too ;-)
So glad to see the Darnell roadshow is still trundling along collecting voyagers at every stop lol and ticking off that must see list - a castle and another country - did you have to show your passport again? Tee hee!!
Happy travels my friend
Debs xxxx
Hi Darnell
And so the fun and feasts continue. Glad you got your roast (but where's the roast spuds matey?).
Safe travels to the retreat tomorrow.
More fun and frolics ahead I should guess.
Best wishes.
Ang x
Loving accompanying you through England (and Wales) vicariously through your blog - what a wonderful time you are having - do love the fact that you are being taken hither and yon by your hosts - we love doing that too when we have international visitors.
Safe Travels
Blessings
Maxine
Well you did say you wanted to visit a real castle and visit some graves. Sounds like your having a whale of a time. I hope your resting up in bewtween.
Hugs Mrs A.
Ooooh, what a nifty castle!! Did you say hi to Tom Jones, isn't he from Wales!! The food looks yummy and you look so cute in front of the phone booth. The church is gorgeous, would love to see that. Happy travels, looking forward to more pics ;)
Your pictures are fabulous, thanks for taking the time to share your adventures with us!
It's so much fun to share in your journey through your photos. Thank you so much for sharing them. I'm so glad you are having a brilliant time!
Hi Darnell, just doing some much needed catch up on comments and you really sound and look like your filling all of your time with lots of lovely people and plenty of place's to visit and what a nice surprise being photographed with both the Post box and Telephone kiosk in the one place how amazing is that! you really are making the most of your visit and hopfully continue to do so for the rest of your time.....take care sending lots of love xx
You are having a ball so glad the weather is kind great photos and I love the hat!!1 keep on enjoying Love and hugs Carole x
Hi Darnell,
I am so glad you are enjoying our British hospitality.
You look like you have had a wonderful time.
You must be exhausted as you have been very busy visiting lots of people, and places.
I am so sorry I couldn't meet you, but it was meant to be as my Granddughter's car broke down over that period, so we could have been journeying to you at the time when it broke down culdn't we.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.
Love these, and loved seeing you too!
Hugs,
Em xxx
fantastic pics. sounds wonderful!
Amazing pics! I am so in awe of the kind, caring, sharing friends across the ocean! A trip like this is something that most of us think would never happen (except maybe in our dreams) and you and all the delightful folks that you are meeting are making it actually happen! So cool that we get to come along! Love the old church and so happy that King Arthur wasn't in a beheading sort of mood!
Another wonderful day ... Wales is on my list! Isn't it wonderful that every country is a drive/train ride away? Speaking of desserts ... if you haven't had sticky toffee pudding, you better start now!!! xx
=]
Sounds like you're having a really fabulous time. Seeing that photo of Conwy castle took me back to a 'fun' holiday hubby and I had in Wales many years ago - still makes me grin after all these years!
That dinner looks super and as for the pud... mmmm I feel quite hungry now. Can't wait to read more of your adventures xx
Loving your travel posts! ❤️❤️❤️😘
What fun posts, and looks like such a fantastic time with lots of wonderful people!!
Ooh what a lovely time you had with the wonderful Anne and David! Ooh how much would I have loved to have been there too?!!! xxx
Wow! Yep, you have me drooling Auntie, drooling over the scenery, the good and that chandelier! So many wonderful friends that have been taking care of you on each leg of your trip Auntie, it warms the heart so much! Thanks for taking us along on each leg, this is the only way I will ever see this part of the world and I'm enjoying it so much!! Oh my, you would love my church then Auntie! It is the oldest stone church in American. Said to have catacombs too! I love to walk around graveyards too, always have since I was a young child! lol Keeping enjoying yourself eating and having fun with wonderful friends!!! Hugs, Brenda
Oh, I'm speechless, Darnell!!! Love all the wonderful photo's you've shared and it's so lovely to follow you on your way!!!! Isn't that not the most beautiful castle and that church is breathtaking!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to have us enjoy your trip with you!!! Love that photo of you with the red postbox and telephone booth!!!! Enjoy, my friend!!!!
Hugz
It was so lovely to play catch up with you today. You have had a wonderful time, I can tell. I love the picture of you with the phone box and post box. I can see a layout with that one!!
Hugs
xx
Egads!!!! Love the photos, the castle, the old church, the post box and tardis!
I am glad you are having such a wonderful time! Thanks for taking us all with you vicariously. It looks like an amazing trip. The pictures of the castle and the church today have been my favorites! They are wonderful.
Glad your enjoying all the wonderful food and of course the fabulous company. I like visiting old churches too, especially to see the leadlight windows, so beautiful.
I'm amazed at how much you're managing to squeeze in on your visit. You must be sleeping very soundly! Cara x
As you can see, I am following your trip backwards, but what a pleasure it is. Really enjoying all your fabulous pictures. Old churches and cemeteries - always on my visiting list as well!
Lovely photographs Darnell - you are seeing some of our finest architecture that is for sure! Four years - wow! Very impressive building... especially as it can take me four years to finish decorating a room!!! thank you for sharing all these visits with us - what a lovely trip for you to look back on in years to come.
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