Sunday, 11 June 2017

Walsall (Nr Birmingham) Saturday

The Talbot hotel we stayed in last night was full of character. The problem was that the High Street below our window was also full of characters, until about 4 am. Loud discussions, arguments in a foreign language etc. We were initially  pleased to have a room looking over the main street and one that opens. Not the best night’s sleep.

We started the day with a visit to Kinver Edge and Rock Homes. As the name suggests, houses are carved straight into the rock, soft but stable sandstone. Big advantage was that if the house became too small, just carve out another room or passage. At one stage, one of the residents bought a piece of furniture that was too tall for the room, so the ceiling was made higher. They are not lived in now, but the National Trust has restored quite a bit and converted one of the houses into a tea room. The area is very peaceful and after leaving the houses for a walk up to the site of an old hill fort, there were only bird noises, no human noises encroached.

0610 Kinver Edge & Rock Houses P61000080610 Kinver Edge & Rock Houses P61000070610 Kinver Edge & Rock Houses P61000040610 Kinver Edge & Rock Houses P6100003

Next stop was Wightwick Manor, a relatively modern Manor, built in the late 1800s. It’s a half timbered house with some pretty good rooms. Liked the cosy nook beside the fire. The detail on the chimneys added to the charm.

0610 Wightwick Manor IMG_20170610_1312150610 Wightwick Manor and Gardens P61000110610 Wightwick Manor and Gardens P6100010

Again we started running out of time, so the last stop for the day was Mosely Old Hall. It’s a 17th century Elizabethan farmhouse in which King Charles II hid from Cromwell’s troops, complete with a priest hole that he hid in. It’s set in very impressive grounds with well tended gardens.

0610 Mosely Old Hall P6100013

We are now in the Holiday Inn Express, will be very quiet after last night. No atmosphere, double glazed windows, aircon but very convenient. Looking forward to meeting up with Joan and John tomorrow night in Worcester and then on the narrowboat on Monday.

No comments:

Post a Comment