Back To The 13th Century - No Pants

The weather forecast has been promising for this week so we decided to have a few days away with 'Vera'

Wednesday 18th September

Day 1

Woke early ish after work yesterday, we have planned to go out to visit Ludlow and the English Heritage Stokesay Castle, Vera was ready to go as this was only a short trip, nothing to pack so after a quick breakfast we were on the road, Adele wanted to stop off to get some fresh cobs for lunch so called into Co-op in Franche then after 20 minutes or so we were on our way.

The route took us through Bewdley then out on the Far Forest road when I realised I had forgotten to pick up my wallet, not a real problem in itself but the English Heritage cards were in it so we ended up turning a round back home.

It was nearly an hour later when we got back to the place where we had turned around.

From Far Forest it was a really pleasant drive out over the Clee Hills into Ludlow and out on the Craven Arms road to Stokesay Castle.

On our arrival the car park looked quite busy for a mid-week but the was room in the top of the car park under some trees for shade.

'Vera' in the shade at Stokesay Castle

We decided to go into the castle as it was a little too early for Lunch, entry to the castle is opposite the car park through the church grounds.

13th century Stokesay Castle

We had both seen YouTube videos of the castle but we hadn't really expect such a spectacular building, Stokesay Castle is one of the finest surviving fortified manor houses in England. It was largely built in its present form in the late 13th century by Laurence de Ludlow, on the earlier castle founded by its original owners the de Lacy family.

We were allowed to take Izzy in the grounds but not in the buildings so we took it in turns to explore. 

Gatehouse at Stokesay

We entered through the brightly coloured gate house into the grounds, the great hall and main rooms were in front of us with the imposing tower to our left, We, well I mean I, had to climb two flights of steep stone stairs to get to the top of the tower but getting there was well worth it as the views were spectacular.

We then swapped over, Adele went to explore whilst I sat in the gardens with Izzy who was snoozling in the late summer sunshine.

We returned to the van for a spot of lunch, freshly made ham and pickle cobs and apple juice.

After a break we returned to the castle to take the walk in the old, now dried up moat, looking up at the castle showed how magnificent it really was.

The Moat at Stokesay

It was getting late by now so it was time to find our camp up for the night, Adele had already phoned ahead and booked Feather Knowle Farm, a camping & caravanning CS, a basic site with water and CDP, at £10 pn it was decent value after 15 minutes we were camped up on this farm site over looking the beautiful Shropshire countryside with Clee Hills in the distance.

Views from Feather Knowle Farm CS

Thursday 19th September

Day 2

We woke late this morning, well past 9.00am, we had a terrible night, nothing to do with the site or the van, we seem to have forgotten lots of things. Last night we made the bed up as usual, first issue, we had forgotten to pack an extra pillow for Adele, then we had forgotten Adeles ear plugs, something she cannot sleep without and Izzy wanted to sleep at the bottom of the bed something that in this heat we can do without, then it started to rain!

I must have dropped off quite quickly but Adele was still awake at 3.00am.

After a wash we found numerous other things missing, no toilet paper, no deodorant, no socks and NO PANTS, something else that's always in the van but not this time.

Ludlow Castle 

Over breakfast we made plans, shopping was first on the list, pillow and ear plugs for Adele, toilet paper, deodorant, socks and pants. We would then take a stroll around the market town of Ludlow.

We sat over looking the fields of barley in the September sunshine with our usual English, sausage, bacon, egg, tomatoes and a slice of fried bread, fresh coffee to wash down.

It was getting on a bit by the time we left the C&CC CS, we had already found a Tesco superstore on line so knew where we were goings, parking for 'Vera' wasn't too bad for a supermarket car park. Adele went in and after 15 minutes or so returned, pillow in one hand shopping bag in the other, success. All was not good, everything on the list except PANTS, we would look in the shops in Ludlow.

The Feathers Hotel

We parked the van on the long stay car & coach park, checked the parking fees and checked again, we were not going to get ripped off here, 90p for three hours.

Ludlows Timber Framed Houses

We wondered through the small streets of black & white timber shops and up to the castle, which was closed because they were getting ready for the Ludlow Food Festival starting the weekend but we could walk around the perimeter there is also a path that leads down to the river where yoy will find a lovely little cafe over looking the weir and medieval bridge (be very careful if you have a larger MoHo as its very narrow) that takes you out toward Mortimer forest. We returned through the narrow side street to 'Vera'

We drove through the town in the opposite direction towards Ludford and over a very narrow bridge crossing the River Teme, turning right up to a viewpoint overlooking the castle & the town for lunch during which we had a deluge of rain, then treated to a spectacular rainbow.

Over looking Ludlow Castle

It was getting late by now and I still wanted to get some video of the narrow bridge and weir before returning to the site.

Back at site we sat with a cup of tea reading and writing this blog before getting tea ready, a meat feast pasta and a glass or two of wine followed by some Brebis cheese.

Looks like the rest of the holiday I will be going commando, now that thought may put me off my tea.

Friday 20th September

Day 3

We woke even later this morning but this time for the right reasons, a really sound nights sleep. We had gone to bed a little later after a great game of scrabble which Adele won by six points.

I took Izzy out for her night walk and was astounded by the sky, full of stars, i could have stopped and looked for ages but the old girl was ready for her bed.

Any way, we woke way after 9.00am it was grey and overcast with light drizzle, Izzy needed her walk but was soon back in when she realised she was getting wet.

Over breakfast the grey skies started to break and little blue patches could be seen, we were going to find a National Trust property but in the end decided just to take a walk out of the site, down to the fishing lakes along the lane.

Froggatt Fish Lakes

We were totally surprised there are four fishing lakes set in landscaped grounds, there were two very posh lodges there too, we returned to the van for a spot of lunch, the sun was out now and was turning into a pleasant afternoon although looking across the countryside not so nice towards Clee Hill.

Rear Doors Open

We sat with the back doors open reading until late afternoon, a relaxing end to a lovely couple of days.

The trip home was uneventful BUT I'm looking forward to getting some pants.

Trip Details:

Miles: 104

Ave MPG: 28.5
Fuel Cost: £ 22.15

Car Parking: £ 0.00

Nights: 2

Camp Fees: £ 20.00

Camp Ave per night: £ 10.00 

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