Lovely Ludow, Snippet of Wales and Bristol Fashion

This is all we saw of Wales. We we in Wales for less than an hour! The Welsh are enormously proud of their culture and language. All the signs are in English and Welsh, which is a celtic language. 

Ryan Renolds is part owner of a Welsh football team. He's also producing a popular show set in Wales and is trying to learn the language. He and his business partner are considered "Princes of Wales" by the people 

Lovely Ludlow in County of Shropshire

Tudor buildings were often bigger on top, for a few reasons. It provided an overhang for your front step. I imagine this was helpful when dumping chamber pots in the street. Also, you were only taxed on the footprint of the building on the land.

Jacobean Architecture - is it just me, or does it look like there should be steins of beer and lederhosen?

I love these tiny little alleys that lead to a business, tucked behind two others. I really feel sorry for construction or utilit.  workers who have to work in these soaces

Ludlow has been a market town since the 12th Century. Towns needed royal permission to run markets. It upgraded them from villages. We were lucky enough to be there on a market day.

Leif and Saga were very excited to find Jacob's Sheep wool and Turkish delight at the market!

Bristol 

I have to confess, I knew next to nothing about Bristol when we arrived. It's a beautiful city, filled with Georgian architecture. They are very proud of their status as one of the world's most desirable places to live.

As you can see,  we got a little rain here, but it cleared up fairly quickly. The rive in Bristol is the Avon,  but not the same Avon River as Stratford Upon Avon. There are 11 Avon rivers, because Avon comes from the Welsh word for river!

SS Great Britain

It's also the home of the famous street artist, Banksy. We were able to see one of his paintings, "Well Hung Lover". I was unable to get a picture (we were on the bus, on a busy street, and couldn't stop. But I will wait, while you google it...

Leif and Saga looking down at the Avon River from The Downs, while the tide is out.

Bristol is another port city, but up the Avon River, rather that on the coast. These rivers are tidal, due to the proximity to the ocean  (some have dramatic enough tidal waves to surf on). When the tide is out, parts of the river can be just mud flats. Back in the days of sailing ships, the cargo would have to be very secure. If the river drains, and the ship hits bottom, it can lean quite a bit. This practice of securing cargo led to the expression "Ship shape in Bristol fashion ".

St Mary's Redcliff Church

This is our last night of the group tour. Tomorrow we have a couple of amazing stops on our way back to London. Then Mom and I are on our own for a few days.