Chirk Castle Wind & Rain

Through wind and pelting rain we battled to reach the castle. The weather decided to attack us with every element it could find.
Reaching the castle, we wandered through the highly decorative rooms to keep out of the rain. The children search the state rooms for toy wolves we found 12 in all.
Chirk Castle has to be one of favourite national trust property's. There is a vast amount to keep you occupied throughout your visit. 
The woodland walks were closed today because of the high winds that were battering the British Isles.
We explored the surroundings we found ourselves in. Sitting for a short while we watch an intriguing cini movie. The fun, had by the families who lived in the castle was really good. Snow covered castle lands with sledges pulled by the ponies that were stabled at the castle. Although the old film was black and white it was a interesting lesson on history for the little people  we had with us.
To warm the old bones before we left we headed to the quaint coffee shop. Following the stone walls through chainbours we finally found a place to rest and chat for a short while.
After putting the world to rights it was time to head off home. All in all the wind and rain didn't stop play.

Kinver Edge & The Rock Cottage

Tucked away in the hillside at Kinver Edge, you will find an unusual little cave cottage. The area boasts plenty of walks and places for you to explore with the kids, this is a lovely little place to spend a sunny day. Shaded by woodland areas hold delightful picnic places with the chance to also explore the history surrounding Kinver Edge & the little cottages hidden away within the rocks. 

Have you ever thought, what it would be like to live in a cave, well Kniver Rock house certainly offers you the chance to get to know what it may have been like. These little cottages have been refurbished  to how they would have looked like in the days they where lived in. You would be surprised to know that wasn't that long ago.

Life in the rock houses has been described as warm in the winter, cool in the summer. The last family  lived in the cottage called Holy Austin up to the late 1950`s. After they left the site became lost overgrown and derelict, it was declared unsafe. Local people along with the National Trust took over the site in the 1990`s many volunteers helped to restore the land and heritage of the surrounding area. The crumbling rock was saved from crumbling away completely. In 1997 the site was opened to receive its first visitors. 

It was believed a hermit initially lived in the rock cottage during the 16th Century hence the name ,Holy Austin, which was believed to have been the hermits name. The first recorded record of life at Rock Houses is in the year 1777 when J Heely describes a clean and descent family and commodious room cut into the rocks.

Census entries in gaps of ten years also show life and families raised at this unique little place. Many types of people have lived in the cottages from farm labours, industry workers and self employed artisans all lived lives here a various times over the years.

A deed of sale was also found which refers to a hairdresser buying the rock dwelling. In the forthcoming years after the hairdresser a besom maker and a mole catcher where also listing along with a woman whom used to take in laundry.

The houses where good solid home, they where quite specious and a healthy place to live in. As families grew the dwellings where passed down and extended to accommodate the growing numbers living in them. In 1861 as industry grew in the area it was recorded eleven families lived at Holy Austin.

Over the years reaching the 1880`s the families declined as did the iron industry. Some dwellings were abandoned these evolved in with the ones that where occupied. The rock houses changed to accommodate. Not much was written down back in the olden days as there wasn't a need to read or write only a few children had the chance to go to the local school to try to better themselves. 

As the 20th century approached Kinver became a sort after tourist area, its pretty village, winding river and Kniver edge was a ideal get away for those seeking a breath of fresh air. Teas rooms sprung to life within the cottages. These cottages have seen and hold a mass of history within there walls. 

Of course there was no main water within these lands two wells were found one on the upper level which is claimed to be the deepest private well in England at 180 ft. There was a second well on the lower level. The upper well now lyes capped under the tea room garden. 

So how did they go to the loo? Well earth closets where built or excavated from the rock. The one at the lower level was in a small cave off the path leading up from the what today is the car park on Compton Road. The product of these loos ( night soil ) was valuable fertiliser for the gardens. Talk about recycle!

Each of the houses had a good sized garden which would provide fresh vegetables. wives back in them days had plenty a skill to preserve vegetables for the winter months, it is said there was more than enough to earn a penny or two also from the excess. Gas pipes where installed in the houses as time progressed providing heating and cooking. There is certainly a lot to be learned about Kinver Edge and cottages. Its a pretty place to visit. When you look around it shows just how hard life must have been in the centuries prior to today. It makes you think how lucky we are to live in a world with mod cons. You certainly would have had to be fit and healthy to live in Kinver Cottages at the height of there existence.  

Well worth a visit a great place to explore. There are quite steep drops for the little ones so please be aware of this when visiting.

Little Dan Turns 18 Yrs Old

23rd April 2015

Today our little Dan would have reached his 18th Birthday.
It's hard to believe it's 18 years ago I heard him first scream and he caused mass hysteria in the special care unit at Shrewsbury hospital.
After a horrific time in the early days this little chap fought all the odds and lived for 10 yrs.
His death was a shock for all that new him.
Today we will be celebrating his 10 yrs of the life in our own happy way still can't quite believe he would have been 18.
I only wish he was here on this earthly plane  to celebrate  his 18 th birthday with us.
Tonight the stars will be bright, the heavens will be singing and dancing. Harps will be making sweet music as Daniel parties with the angels on what is his 18th Birthday.
A very special  little boy who will be missed always.
Happy 18th Birthday. Daniel loved & missed forever xx

Pictured Daniel with his little brother Aaron.

Bus Types 2015 Oswestry Showground

Great show great  to see so many old friends.