Sheep, Wales and Other Tales

Once again Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs, Which on a wild secluded scene impress Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect The landscape with the quiet of the sky.

William Wordsworth

Lines Written A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, 1798

Tintern Abbey, famed haunt of such dignitaries as William Wordsworth and John Constable, truly deserves every accolade ever bestowed. In truth, I have seldom seen such a spectacular relic of cultures past.

Today the Abbey might be considered an architecturally post-modern masterpiece with an open air and open ground design, including the natural surroundings in the composition of the building and the spirit of the location in the construction…
In reality, the incomparable scenery has become part of the edifice as native grass flourishes and wildflowers blossom to form a thick carpet, and no stain glass windows are needed as the decaying walls allow natural light to shine, giving a direct view to vistas of the hills, dramatically veiled with heavy mist.
After spending the morning posing on rock outcroppings and dashing up and down stone staircases, we enjoyed a Welsh tea with Welsh Cakes (Pice Bac) Bara Brith with cheese- which tastes FAR better than it sounds- envision an open-faced grilled cheese sandwich…except the bread has been infused with delicious raisins, currants, and fruit and the vertical inch of cheese is Leicester Red!

We departed from Tintern and headed to the Museum of Welsh life, for the afternoon, a delightful, Williamsburgesque representation with costumes and general stores, enjoying a sunny afternoon filled with fresh scones infused with raspberry jam, and more Welsh Cakes…. Oh and more sheep.

For the balance of the day, we bussed to Cardiff (the capital of Wales), checked into our Holiday Inn and wandered across the street to Cardiff Castle. Cardiff Castle is a site of multiple imperial revisions beginning with Rome, then Norman inhabitants, and ultimately, the Marques of Bute in the middle of the 18th century.

The Castle’s museum highlighted the many inhabitants with a video celebrating the lengthy culture and heritage of the property, ending dramatically by raising the screen to view the Keep and entirety of the property through large windows.

It was very dramatic.

The Norman tunnels beckoned as we made our way under the stone walls towards the keep, crossed the moat and then climbed the hundred stairs to the top.

Dinner was a delicious opportunity to see the sights and smells of Cardiff. We felt right at home passing a Starbucks, Hard Rock café, Mcdonald’s and other decidedly American treats in the Welsh community. By the way, Cadbury McFlurries/Gooey are a staple in UK McD’s!

Avoiding the many kabob stands and thai food extravaganzas (that smelled delicious, but looked potentially lethal), we created a picnic between a Sainsbury’s local and a Tesco Express… filling our baskets with sandwich meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Although the Mexican restaurant with “REAL GUACAMOLE AND BURRITOS!” might have been a truly cultural experience.

The castle's a foot,

ej