Welsh getaway

Vale of Llangollen

For the bank holiday weekend in August, Darren and I went north for a few days in the Welsh countryside. We rented a quaint barn conversion with a loft bedroom and, most fascinating to me, an Aga cooker.

World's End cottage - converted barn

World's End Cottage

My first Aga

The cottage was four miles from a small village called Llangollen, just across the border of Shropshire.

Llangollen

Llangollen

Primarily catering to tourists now, they have a steam railway and canal tours by horsedrawn boat (previously used them to carry out slate).

Llangollen Canal

The canal leads to an impressive aquaduct nearby, which we walked across on a windy (and busy) afternoon.

Pontcysyltte Aquaduct

Aquaduct looking towards Llangollen

Pontcysyllte Aquaduct

Another highlight: the remains of the abbey called Valle Crucis (another ruin courtesy of old Henry VIII).

Valle Crucis Abbey ruins

Valle Crucis Abbey ruins

Valle Crucis Abbey ruins

Valle Crucis Abbey ruins

Welsh Prince's heraldic slab in the abbey ruins

I also had a small thrill to see a mountainside covered with my namesake purple shrub...

Heather-covered mountain, Horseshoe Pass