Thursday, July 31, 2014

The Jamaica Inn

Well what can I say .... This place has fascinated me for many years. It's not my first visit and won't be my last. I am drawn to this part of the world for some strange reason.
The Jamaica Inn stands high on the moors, Bodmin Moor. The area is steeped with history of smuggling and murder.
Jamaica Inn has recently been made even more famous with the recent TV drama about Daphne du Maurier's book Jamaica Inn.
It's a great place to take a rest, with its cobbled court yard, it's beamed ceilings, lovely log fire, the inn's very own ales and yummy food.  A very welcoming pub with so much to see and explore inside. On site there is also a museum which tells of the history of the inn, the many myths and legends attached to the inn. The tales of the Cornish Smugglers. You can also see in the museum a room dedicated to Daphne du Maurier this includes her Sherston writing desk . She was said to enjoy cigarettes and glacier mints when she was writing these can be seen on the desk in her special room.
Jamaica Inn is well worth a look especially if your into the world of spooks as many can be found here. Maybe next time we visit we may even find one.



















































Wednesday, July 30, 2014

The Ponderosa

A sunny glorious afternoon saw up heading up the horse shoe pass at Llangollen. The views across the valley are just stunning with little dotted stone houses appearing on the edge of the hillsides. The smell of the wild undergrowth fills the car as you climb steeper and steeper to the summit.
Sitting at the top is a busy little cafe, here you can buy yourself some lunch, ice cream, hot and cold drinks. There is also a delightful gift shop filled with little take home treasure which are not just local but from across the beautiful landscapes of Wales. A lovely place to visit.
Outside there are bench, tables and chairs to sit on whilst taking in the views.  Which stretch before you as far as the eye can see. It's a place just to sit and relax especially in the sunshine, although being lucky enough to be close to Llangollen the winter time can have a dramatic effect on the landscape, worth visiting if you brave enough in the snow. It's a great place to take your camera as you can get some really good shots. The horseshoe pass is a place not to be rushed it's full of Welsh delights and lots of sheep to. It's also a haven for motorbikes many stop in the summer ever day with Sunday being the busiest. 
Low in the valley sits Llangollen a great place to stop and browse the shops. A ice cream by the river is a must a delightful setting with rushing water flowing through. 
There is also an old railway station with trips up and down the line talk g you further into the delights of rural Wales. A great place to visit on a day trip or stay a day or two, there is plenty on offer within only a few miles east easy you go. The joys of sunny Wales, I am so lucky to live here.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ponderosa-Cafe-on-the-Horseshoe-Pass/245683172132765