Tenbury Wells June 2024

In June we set off on the first of our multiple exchanges for the summer of 2024.  We took the ferry to Holyhead and made our way to Tenbury Wells, a small town in the north-western extremity of the Malvern Hills area in Worcestershire. The river Teme which runs along the edge of the town separates Worcestershire and Shropshire and the Hereford border is very close to the town as is Wales. The area is farming country and our exchange was a few miles out of town. The house/cottage was originally a farm worker's tiny abode. The current owners have extended it giving adequate living and sleeping space. Their interest in gardening was evident in the beautiful grounds.

When we arrived we had difficulty locating the front door and, in fact, circumnavigated the house pushing our way through lush growth to finally arrive at the door. The garden was absolutely beautiful with little sitting areas in many places, though most of them were in the sun and the weather was such that we actually needed shade.

Red cheeks from heat and from the challenges of negotiating very sloped terrain

The fish pond and some very well-fed fish.

Having settled in and enjoyed some home grown strawberries - when we finally discovered how to get into the enclosure - we planned our trips. The area had lots of nice gardens to see.

The first morning we explored Tenbury Wells.

This is The Round Market, originally the Butter Market, where there are regular markets.

This very unusual building is the Pump Rooms built in 1860 in order to establish Tenbury Wells as a spa town. This never happened and the building fell into disrepair to be restored in recent years.

After our tour of the town we went to Ludlow where we had been informed there was a market up near the Castle. Jim did a tour round it while I sat in the sun.

After a quick trip round the market we went to St. Laurence's Church for the obligatory tour of a church 0 the norm for us. We passed the White Stuff shop where I enjoyed this sign. I think that summer had finally arrived based on the weather since we arrived.

St. Laurence's Church was originally built in the 11th century and over the centuries underwent several restorations and additions.

The window above the high altar tells the story of the martyrdom of St. Laurence.

Home Exchange Cork 2024

We had a short exchange in Cork city in April 2024. The house was close to the city but we didn't actually go into Cork city. We went to Blarney Castle and gardens. I'm sure people think you go to Blarney Castle just to kiss the Blarney stone but, in fact, it is a wonderful place to spend a day. The grounds are wonderful and the gardens beautiful. 

There were lots of interesting sculptures.

The Fern Garden was lovely.

Fantastic trees

Having spent hours in Blarney we returned to the area of our exchange and then went to Blackrock Castle Observatory where it is difficult to get parking. We sussed out the Castle Cafe with a view to eating lunch there one of the days.

Then on to Kinsale where we hadn't been since our honeymoon. Being off-season the town was really really quiet. We wandered about and then ended up in Fishy Fishy for an early evening meal.

Next day, 19th April, we went to Fota Wildlife Park where we enjoyed seeing the various animals and birds.

A lot of the animals roam freely with no barriers between them and visitors.

The monkeys were really noisy.

What a mess!

From there we went to Charles Fort. Charles Fort is a star-shaped structure of the late 17th century. The view from the ramparts over Kinsale harbour is panoramic.

We walked downhill into the edge of Kinsale and had lunch in The Bulman - a very busy and popular pub restaurant.

The following day we went back to Fota, this time to the arboretum and gardens. We didn't go into the house.

We had only a short time in this exchange. We went home via Athlone staying in the Shamrock Lodge. The purpose of the visit was to have a meal in the Lebanese restaurant which we really like. Jim decided to take the car to the restaurant but we couldn't get parking so we returned to the Shamrock Lodge and then walked. The following day was Sunday, if I remember rightly. We decided to go to Fernhill Garden Centre, owned by Roisin's Partner's (Shane's) aunt and have breakfast there before our trip home. It's an enormous garden centre with a huge restaurant. It was packed. Before going to the Shamrock Lodge the previous day we took a detour and ended up in a very popular and so very busy spot on the river Shannon.