Traveller hint #1: Before travelling, as well as checking if the trains are running / on time, it’s also worth checking that the underground line you intend using is running. We didn’t and it wasn’t.
Traveller hint #2: Don’t assume that because the bus company confirms that the last bus is running on your date of travel and that it goes as far as your destination, that this will be the case. It wasn’t – the late service has been discontinued. Sadly the company (Tanat Valley – www.tanat.co.uk) have not updated their on-line timetable, so others may also find a £26 taxi will be required.
We had a pleasant enough pub dinner in the Wynnstay Arms Hotel (wynnstay-arms-hotel.com) in Llanrhaeadr-YM, but what a depressing place this hostelry is. With the closure of The Plough Country Inn, where the food was always excellent, things are not looking good for this small, remote village, particularly with the ending of the late bus into the village. However our B&B is always wonderful, with lovely hosts and a great breakfast to start the day.
After the 90th birthday celebrations with my large, extended family we set off on the early morning bus to stay with family in Stockport. Another bus and then a train from Shrewsbury were relatively problem-free apart from the slight delay to the train due to animals on the line and a car hitting a bridge. Well done Transport For Wales for minimising the disruption.
Late afternoon we managed a short walk to the canal – this isn’t how you might expect Stockport to look!
In nearby Marple we visited the bookshop. Sadly the web’s ‘half-day closing on Wednesdays’ should have read ‘closed Wednesdays’. Am I beginning to sound grumpy? But we visited the Staircase House Museum in Stockport (www.stockport.gov.uk/about-staircase-house) which is inexpensive and well worth a visit.
Our last day was cold, wet and miserable, but we ventured out on a trip to Liverpool. Not the best day to be exploring the city, but we strolled along the waterfront and visited Tate Liverpool (www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool) for coffee, lunch and a viewing of the art. It really is a nice, manageable gallery and I’ve put some images of the artwork in another blog post (thingschange.blog/2019/05/10/tate-liverpool/)
An evening meal at The Crown at nearby Hawk Green was excellent right up to and including the last course!
Our journey home the next day was quick, although somehow we mistakenly get on the very slow suburban train rather than the fast one. An eventful but lovely week seeing family.
things change 