Showing posts with label World War I. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War I. Show all posts

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Day 6 of 14 North Wales/Chester (part I)

Day 6 Itinerary reads: Drive through the countryside of North Wales as your journey to Conwy, a medieval town dominated by a huge castle.  Enjoy a walking tour around the picturesque streets and see the smallest house in Britain, followed by free time for lunch on your own.  In Chester, take another walking tour to see medieval buildings and Roman Walls.

Our first stop to use the facilities....notice the machine to pay to use the toilet.  You could actually use your credit card, which was helpful as most of us had no coin.
Not sure what people might have used the sinks for that made them put up the sign, but I wondered.
And an interesting place to place tourist information, lol.  That's me in the reflection as I was taking the photo.
A pretty stream along side buildings.  If you click to enlarge, I think you can see how closely the buildings were to the water's edge.

A very pretty little town/village with bridges and walk ways to explore. along the River Dee.
You know you're in Wales, when you attempt to pronounce the name of village  Llangollen.  The area is quite pretty, and hilly.  Seems to be an area where nature provides the entertainment by way of rafting, kayaking, fishing, climbing, biking etc.  There are canal paths to explore (though we didn't see those when we were there), and historic ruins (which we also didn't see when there).
A very old building used currently as a day care, was previously a church.  But, look at all the interesting details in this old building.
There is a history trail with ruins, but as I mentioned above; we did not see that on our visit.  This picture is from a visit the area webpage that I knabbed.  Wish we had been able to see this while there.  Our visit there was brief, passing through as we hoped back on the coach to continue our travels.
Beautiful country side with threatening clouds; but I think you get a feel for how rugged the country side was, and how hilly. 

We stopped for a photo opt along the side of the road amid lots of sheep, though only 2 are in the picture they pretty much covered the hillside.

My friend, Jane got the photo of the day.  She was able to get pretty close to these very special, 2 headed sheep!  You gotta click to enlarge this picture folks, really...no really you do.  LOL  She couldn't have placed the two sheep any better if she tried to get this fun photo.
We made another brief stop at St. Margaret's.  (The Church of Wales).
Aside from being a beautiful church with an interesting grave yard attached, it has a deep connection with World War I, and Canadian solders.  
The church is known as the "Marble Church".  We were unable to go inside, but pictures of the church look breathtaking.  Nearby in Kinmel Park Army Camp thousands of Canadian soldiers awaited ships to take them home to Canada after the close of the World War.  Food shortages were a problem, soldiers were unhappy.  The influenza took the lives of 86 of their comrades between Nov of 1918 and March of 1919.  The soldiers had had enough and rioted.  How horrible to live through the war and then die of influenza and be buried here so far from home.  Additionally 4 who died in the riot are buried here.  There was an investigation that the army officers didn't do what they should to take care of their men, and to put a stop to the riot.

**I'll pause here due to the number of pictures from that day and pick up Day 6 part II in the next post.  Please come back.

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