A visit to Blaenavon Ironworks

A trip to Blaenavon Ironworks was a lovely surprse, especially as it's free and we can take Sailor and Penny. I especially liked the interative section which showed what they used to do. Sailor and Penny really liked exploring the old ironworks and Ali and I enjoyed going in the old cottages, decorated in different years.

Sailor and Penny's first steam train ride

Our day started with a lovely harbour walk from Lydney Junction station (free parking). It had a great view of the Severn bridges, Oldbury and Berkley power stations. Then it was time to board the Dean Forest Railway, Sailor and Penny's first time on a steam train. It's a 30 minute ride to Parkend and at £11.20 each, it's a bit steep, but enjoyable all the same. Lots of dogs on board which was lovely. At Parkend we stopped for sandwiches and a drink at the fountain pub, a quick walk around Parkend, where we found the RSPB local office, and then back to the station. Sailor and Penny were suprisingly very relaxed and seemed to enjoy looking out the window at the forest.

GBBO signature bakes

When we started doing the Great British Bake Off signature bakes each week, we didn't realise they would get progressively more difficult. We started with a madeira cake, which has dome and crack. Our next challenge was biscotti and I realised I don't like biscotti, mine tasted very much of egg. Quick breads was next and beer bread was a revelation, it's so easy to make and so tasty. Sugar free cake next and we made a sugar free lemon drizzle. The next bake was tricky, creme brulee but oh my gosh, it was wonderful. Frangiapane tart next so we made an apricot tart. Game pie was next so we substituted for chicken and leek instead. Next, cream horns which were really tasty.

Old Station in Tintern and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

The first stop on our mamouth day was to the Old Station at Tintern. At only £1 to park for 3 hours, it's a bargain. The old victorian style train is now a cafe, the tracks are a picnic area and the signal box is in front of the fabulous Wye Valley landscape. We walked the 1 mile river meadow trail before stopping for a ploughmans lunch from the cafe and a walk through the shop and museum with the doggies.

Onto the Forest of Dean Sculpture trail. We aren' massively into art, and some were definitly better than others but a 4.5 hour and 3 hour walk stretched the legs. The forest was empty and so peaceful and quiet. At £3.50 to park and you have to pay an additional £1 for the map, it's rather pricey, but the map is essential as the trail is marked, but the sculptures aren't. Our favourite has to be the cathedral, a huge stained glass window handing from an aisle of trees.

Penny loves Raglan Castle

We spent the morning waiting for the rain to stop before heading to Raglan Castle Penny adores castles. I don't know what it is, but she gets so excited and looks in every nook and cranny in castles. She loves exploring. The sun was out too which was a bonus. We walked over short walls, through doorways, up the grand staircase and I climbed the stairs to the top of the great tower. Gosh it was high but i mastered the selfie stick. We walked along the moat and around the outside of the castle and then back to the car, buying a sheep poo air freshner on the way. It's scented as daffodil.

Birthday raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake

This years birthday started at 5:30am on the English/ Welsh border in a cottage. The morning started with a very soggy walk as the doggies and I walked through the fog and very very long grass. In the end, I had puddles in my shoes and had to stop at the stile and walk back. Ali made the most amazing rapsberry and white chocolate cheesecake.

Brigitte's birthday to vinopolis

For Brigittes birthday this year, we treated her to lunch at Hush Brasserie in Holborn, then a visit to vinopolis, the wine museum. I haven't been there for about 10 years and gosh it has changed. No longer do you get someone pouring you a glass and getting the perk of having just a tad more than you usually get for the tasting. All has gone, you have a wine tasting lessons, then the tastings are through a key card with your balance and machines! I must say, it feels like it lost the style and most of the wines were 2 credits of you 7, so you had much less than before.