Otter-spotters!

Four daft family members decided to get up in the dark at 6am and head straight out to the local riverside to try to spot some otters.  Although we weren't lucky enough to see them, we did have a fantastic walk.  The morning started off cold and frosty but as the sun rose over the hills, the trees were ablaze with colour.

A frosty morning in the sheep fields.

Three otter-spotters, walking alongside the river.

Here comes the sun.

This photo defies just how chilly it was!

I finally got around to taking pictures of our Swallow Cottage.

It was a very pleasant stay here and the barns look so beautiful in the sunshine.

Two pheasants.  Let's hope they don't end up outside the butcher's any time soon!

 

Our part of the cottages.

The view from our bedroom window.

Mmmm breakfast!  We were so ready for something to eat.

After breakfast, the boy went to Stokesay Castle and took some fantastic pictures to show Mum and Dad, who spent the afternoon lazing around and catching up on sleep!

I love this picture!!

Ludlow, the Castle and the Crown Inn

The Boy, playing with Baby Gwen in the morning.

 

Lots and lots of pheasants, strung up outside this traditional butcher shop.

The Bull King, where we stopped for hot drinks and a snack.

 

The Boy, very ready for a hot chocolate!

The Feathers Hotel, extremely old and wonky!

Ludlow is full to bursting with listed buildings, there were too many to look at!

A panoramic view from Ludlow.

 

This friendly cat was hanging around the market square and soaked up the fuss from passers by.

Ludlow Castle from the outer walls.

 

The Norman chapel inside the chapel grounds.

 

The Boy's 'bat' - which turned out to be a pigeon's bum.

We loved the countryside around Ludlow...

 

...and we were very proud of The Boy for conquering his fear of heights to climb to the top of the castle.

Looking down at the town.

There was a kind couple who took a break from drinking their champagne (!) so that they could take our picture.

Back in the warm, we had a delicious cream tea.  The scones were so fresh.  Nomnomnom.

 

Baby Gwen helped me choose some beautiful wristwarmers before settling down to look at the food on the table.  She does love looking at food!

In the evening, we lit The Boy's sparklers since he had missed our local firework display.  Here is his sparkler writing of the word 'love'.

And then he concentrated on enjoying the sparklers to their full potential.

The evening was spent at the Crown Inn in Clun, where we ate, drank and were very merry!

In the Middle of Nowhere in Shropshire!

After a crazy drive down country lanes in the pitch dark, we made it to Swallow Cottage near Bucknell in Shropshire.  We pretty much managed to keep the whole thing a secret from the boy, though he claims he knew what was going on.  The evening was spent catching up with family and eating coffee and walnut cake.  We also popped outside in hats and coats to gaze at the stars.  Words cannot express how utterly dark and quiet it was there.  Great views of the Milky Way, many constellations and so many more stars than we are used to seeing at home.

We were very ready for our beds that evening =)

Chilling out in Forochel