A few years ago we purchased two new lights for the landing. These are square relatively low profile lights which use an array of LEDs. Normally, the LEDs in units such as these are not replaceable and if they fail the entire fitting has to be replaced. Well, a few weeks ago one of the lights failed and I decided to try to repair it because (a) it would be cheaper, (b) they are a matched pair and finding a
Staffordshire 2024 – Day 5
Today we decided to go for a walk. The cottage was provided with a number of handy Peak District walk books. Several of these volunteered that the walks were “Strenuous” so we gave these a miss and chose “Dales & Valleys” (ISBN 978-1-908632-05-0) which sounded more like us! Walk 6 was not too far away and looked easy so we gave it a go. Soon after starting and walking beside the river Dane we came across an elderly gentleman walking
Staffordshire 2024 – Day 4
A day in Congleton. Our first problem was the the local council has introduced those Pay-and-Display machines which demand your vehicle registration number. Dad has a strong moral objection to such things on the basis that they only exist to stop people passing on partly used tickets and that this is extremely mean! We therefore had to find somewhere free to park and ended up on a street near to Congleton Park. We were most impressed by the formal municipal
Staffordshire 2024 – Day 3
Today we went to visit the National Trust garden at Biddulph Grange which is very close to where we are staying. Actually it was rather further than we expected due to road works! Actually we visited the garden once before a few years ago although that was in February when there wasn’t quite so much to see. The gardens were quite as spectacular as we remembered although it was quite crowded. We saw a sign at the entrance saying that
Staffordshire 2024 – Day 2
Today we visited the Jodrell Bank radio telescope. Tickets were not too outrageous and Sophia got a modest student discount. They also took cash although this did involve buying the tickets in the gift shop rather than at the entrance. Overall, the visitor centre is quite good although the whole site was a little bit repetitive. You could read the story of how the Lovell telescope was in severe financial difficulties but was saved when it was the only facility
Staffordshire 2024 – Day 1
For our first day in Staffordshire we decided to visit the nearby Rudyard reservoir. Apparently, Mr Kipling’s parents named their son after the location where they first met! Dad was attracted by mention of a steam railway so we started with that. The Leek and Rudyard Railway is quite a modest narrow gauge tourist line which runs for a short distance beside the reservoir. But, the tickets were inexpensive and there were some pleasant views. After the train ride we
Wales 2024 – Day 7
For our final full day in Wales, we decided to visit the house and gardens at Plas Brondanw. This was the home of Clough Williams-Ellis who designed Portmeirion but is much less well known. The house now contains a free art gallery showing works by his daughter as well as works by living artists. There was a modest charge for the garden but the gallery was free. The garden was modest but pleasant and the gallery was interesting although most of the
Wales 2024 – Day 6
As confirmed fans of “The Prisoner”, a visit to Portmeirion was a must for this holiday. It wasn’t cheap but we felt it would be worth while. Practically our first stop on arrival was the “Prisoner Shop” located in Number 6’s house where we bought a number of items of merchandise including two number badges. A small ‘6’ for Sophia and a realistically sized ‘2’ for Dad. Dad wore his badge for the rest of the day – after all, where
Wales 2024 – Day 5
Today we decided to have a rest from visiting attractions and just explore near to the cottage. In the morning we had clear sunny weather for the first time but it was very windy. Dad took the opportunity to take some photos of the views from the cottage. Unfortunately, by lunchtime thick fog had descended! We stayed in until after lunch and then walked down to the nearby Ynys Y Pandy slate mill which is only a few hundred metres from the
Wales 2024 – Day 4
Today we booked a trip on the Ffestiniog railway. Due to time and cost constraints we went for their “Victorian” service which consists of a return trip to Tan-y-Bwlch about half way along the line. The train is composed of restored and replica carriages from the Victorian era and we found a second class compartment which seemed reasonably comfortable. Unfortunately there was a gap at the top of the partition wall to the next compartment which was occupied a by