Croft Castle and Leominster

Yesterday we headed out to explore. The nearest National Trust to where we are staying is Croft Castle so that was our first port of call.

A pretty little castle in a beautiful setting, the views from the castle are stunning but sadly it was just too hot to attempt any of the longer walks in the grounds, not only were we flagging but Tulip was also suffering with the heat.

Unlike many National Trust properties there was no route to adhere to or volunteers in the rooms, you could just wander around freely. Through a tiny doorway, tucked away in a corner was a little turret room which contained a lovely little stained glass art piece. 

The piece depicts the poem by William Yeats, The Song of the Wandering Aengus. My amazing sister put this poem to music and recorded it shortly before her death. It's very emotional listening to it but it was so important to me that it was played at my mums funeral, which just over a year ago now. 

The exhibition that was on when we visited 'celebrated the cultural significance of the apple' and there was a week of apple gathering, hence the apple sculptures around the gardens.

A quick packed lunch in a shady spot and then we headed off to Leominster. A quick stop off at the tourist information and we followed the walk, taking in the sites. It was just so hot though we couldn't really appreciate it.

Grange Court

The Priory church of St Peter and St Paul

After making it back into town and grabbing a quick drink we heading back to the camper, hoping to have a nap and cool down. 

The only cool bit of shade available to us is behind the camper and only one of us managed to nap there. Note to self, set up the camper further away from the edge in future.