We’ve talked about doing a Wales road trip for quite a while now and just never quite got round to it. Then when we were planning a few days away for my birthday, which may or may not be a big one, we decided now would be a great time to go, so here we are.
Not Wales
Our journey took us through Redditch, which I found to be very depressing, as the local nationalists had obviously been out in force and festooned every available lamppost with a St. George’s cross flag and, in one case, even painted a roundabout in the red and white colours too. I mean, I love my country too, but this isn’t something put there for national pride but more a statement of intent, which I found both sickening and worrying.
That out of the way, we headed on to the small village of Iron Bridge, where the only flag flying was at the top of the church, and that was the Union Flag. The village is famous for one thing, and the clue is in the name – The Iron Bridge. I thought that it was the first cast iron bridge, but Wikipedia tells me that it was actually “the first major bridge in the world to be made of cast iron” (emphasis mine).
It’s both a beautiful place and impressive bridge too. If we’d had more time there are plenty of museums and other attractions there to visit so maybe we’ll return and do those one day.
Conwy, Wales
Iron Bridge had been very quiet with hardly anyone about, the same could not be said for Conwy which was heaving with cars, coaches and people. It’s easy to see why as it’s an attractive place with the castle, suspension bridge and self-proclamied smallest house in the UK. When we last visited the house in 1999 the entrance was 50p but has now tripled to £1.50. Still not an unreasonable amount, although I didn’t bother to pay it and go in.
Tomorrow, we head out into the wilds of Wales.
