We'd decided to go charity shopping in Shrewsbury, but the rain was quite torrential, so that there was nothing for it but to wait it out. When by 10.30 there was a brief lull in the downpour, we grabbed our coats and made a dash for the car.
The quiet country lanes had become quite treacherous to negotiate, especially where at one point the road climbs up to a plateau, which normally offers fabulous views of the rocky outcrops of the Stiperstones ridge. Now, low hanging clouds had wiped out any visibility and, after descending from these lofty heights, we even had to contend with a partially flooded road.
This is one of a pair (the other one's red) which I bought from an outlet shop a couple of years back.
They are my travelling trousers to be worn on bad weather days, just like this one. In order to keep them "me", I wore them with a vintage long-sleeved flower print shirt and my dotty Phase Eight raincoat charity shopped in Shropshire last year.
We always try and make use of the Park & Ride system when visiting larger towns, in order to avoid having to negotiate the often complicated one-way systems in search of a suitable place to park. In this case, we were especially glad that we did, as there seemed to be major roadworks in progress.
It was lunchtime by now, so we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the M&S café, as Jos wanted to buy some essentials at the shop.
Afterwards, we trawled the charity shops, most of which seemed to be concentrated in and around a street called Mardol. We also spent some time browsing a treasure trove of a shop called Memory Lane Antiques and Vintage.
As for the weather, I'm glad to report that it remained dry for the rest of the afternoon. We were even treated to some watery sunshine!
In order to make up for the weather, the charity shop and vintage gods treated us to kindly, as I found a pair of pristine navy Hotter shoes, a Welsh wool purse, a butterfly sleeve top and an Indian made maxi skirt. Jos was in luck too, as he found a boxed Kodak Bantam camera, complete with its instruction leaflet.
No sunshine, not even of the watery kind, on Wednesday, but we counted our blessings as at least the rain seemed to have packed up and left us. Admittedly, it was a bit chilly, with highs of only about 16° Celsius.
But wait, I can hear you thinking, what about that iron bridge you kissed under? Some of you might have recognized the title as a snippet of the lyrics of a certain Smiths song, but what's the link to this post, you might wonder.
Well, our destination of the day was a place called Ironbridge, and the song just inadvertently keeps popping into my head whenever I hear or see the name.
Ironbridge is a small town on the River Severn, at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge. The town developed beside and took its name from the Iron Bridge, a 30-meter cast iron bridge which spans the gorge and was opened in 1781.
As early as 1934 it was designated a Scheduled Ancient Momument and closed to vehicular traffic. Tolls for pedestrians were collected until 1950, and it was at the old tollhouse that our journey across the bridge started.
Now is as good a time as any to show you what I was wearing. In order to combat the greyness of the weather, one of my Diolen delights, in a dusky pink sprinkled with an orange, yellow and green flower print, came out to play. On top, my orange leather jacket, an adequate and welcome protection against the chilliness of the wind.
The bridge, the first major bridge in the world to be made of cast iron, is a Grade I listed building and together with the Ironbridge Gorge it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The area around Ironbridge is often described as the "birthplace of the industrial revolution", owing to the fact that in the nearby village of Coalbrookdale, a certain Abraham Darby perfected the technique of smelting iron with coke, allowing for a much cheaper production of iron.
To this day, the Bridge remains an important symbol of the dawn of the industrial age.
In 2017 and 2018, English Heritage undertook a £ 3.6 million conservation project on the bridge, restoring it to its formal glory.
The Ironbridge Gorge is home to several interesting museums, which we have yet to visit. On a rainy day perhaps?
We'd brought a picnic which we ate in our car, before undertaking the 10-minute drive to our next destination.
There's a scenic but streneous walk from here to Ironbridge and back, descending into the gorge and then climbing out of it again by way of a series of wooden steps, but we decided to give it a miss, and just visit the delightful National Trust property called Benthall Hall.
Entrance is through a lychgate, and past the quaint little church of St Bartholomew’s, which has recently been acquired by the National Trust.
I found the approach to the church, by way of a path leading through what looked like a miniature wildflower meadow, particularly charming.
The current house was built in 1535 but there have been Benthalls living on this site since the medieval period. The house is still tenanted by the Benthall family today.
The family sold the house in 1844, but then bought it back several generations later, before passing it to the National Trust on condition that the family continue to live here.
The interior is stunning, with a carved oak staircase, decorated plaster ceilings and oak panelling, but photography was only partially allowed.
The cabinet on the top left is a so-called Antwerp cabinet. The room's volunteer proudly told us its story, especially after hearing that we lived near Antwerp. The cabinet dates from the 17th century and is quite rare. It was converted in the Victorian period, when drawers were put in to display a collection of butterflies and moths.
We were astonished to learn that the figurine under its glass dome on the bottom left was made from beeswax!
The gardens accomodate a kitchen garden and a carefully restored and terraced plantsman's garden, including a rockery and rose garden.
The formal garden's exhuberantly overgrown appearance was due to filming which would take place during Summer, but we actually rather liked it that way!
There's a wild garden too, which was a delight to stroll through, with a working beehive set amongs the grasses and wildflowers, which included the most exquisite Turk's Cap Lilies, and glimpses of an enchanting but unreachable thatched summer house.
We concluded our visit by having the first cream teas - the full works, consisting of scones with jam and clotted cream - of our holiday which, being us, we had with coffee instead of tea.
Sitting outside in the secluded tea room garden on this gloomy and chilly afternoon, we were sending up prayers to the weather gods for slightly warmer temperatures.
Do join me again in the next episode to find out whether our prayers were answered.
That's some real "traditional" English weather there, with one ginormous puddle! I love your trouser/jacket outfit, and always am fond of your orange leather jacket (twins!). Glorious, beautiful pictures, even in the gloom of the rainy days, Ann.
ReplyDeleteLove your shoe purchase and can't wait to see your top and skirt in action!
I know, we are orange leather jacket twins! That puddle was all over the road, and most of it was still there when we left almost two weeks later! xxx
DeleteCor! Those Hotter shoes are fab! Surely you must have bought some brooches?
ReplyDeleteThe English weather is so unpredictable and always a source of conversation and or discussion!
I loved Benthall Hall. The Staffordshire (?) pottery cabinet was amazing as was the Antwerp cabinet. I do love domestic interiors and find them far more interesting than churches and cathedrals to visit. Museums are great for rainy days!
Did you have a kiss under the iron bridge, I wonder? I hope so!
xxxxx
I only bought 5 brooches this time. Shropshire, unlike Pembrokeshire, definitely isn't "brooch country" ;-) The weather is always a conversational topic here in Belgium as well. Oh, and yes, obviously we had a kiss under the bridge! xxx
DeleteWhat a change in the weather - I had no idea it had been so wet in the Midlands, such a difference to Glastonbury.
ReplyDeleteLove your mac and colourful trouser combo and the pink and orange which gives the gorgeous flowers you photographed a run for their money!
I've been meaning to revisit Ironbridge for ages simply so I can use that Smiths' lyric as a blog title!
Benthall Hall looks gorgeous, I definitely need to pay that beautiful house a visit. Isn't it funny that there's always a Belgian connection at every NT place?
I didn't realise Hotter made anything that cool! xxx
Well, these were the last of the bad weather days, so don't worry, it was just perfect for us. Beat you to it ;-) I actually keep a list of Smiths' lyrics I'd love to use at some point. I know you understand! xxx
DeleteAnn what a lovely post! I love all your pictures and your vintage findings. I am looking forward to see you wearing this maxi skirt :)
ReplyDeleteArgh I would like to travel to england .... okay looking forward your next travelogue ;)
A very huge hug Tina
Thank you Tina! I wore the skirt this week, as it is perfect for a heatwave. xxx
DeleteWhat a lovely place to visit. Glad the rain stopped. The photos are nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ally! xxx
DeleteSo nice to see you in trousers again, Ann! ;) I love the colour and they look awesome with the floral top and spotty coat! Looks like you got some great things at the charity shop. That Indian maxi skirt is gorgeous! Such beautiful photos too! I actually had a scone with jam and cream today at a morning tea I went to, so the last photo made me smile! ;) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Ann! XXX
ReplyDeleteThe only way we can have scones at home is when we make them ourselves. Preferably not during a heatwave, though ;-) Oh, and you'll get to see me in trousers again soon! xxx
DeleteYou do visit some lovely places! It's good to know the rain didn't spoil the last day of your break.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mim, we were lucky with the weather really, as these were the only bad weather days! xxx
DeleteI love reading your holiday blogs, it's like being there with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gisela! I loved reading your Cornish travelogue as well! xxx
DeleteI've never been to Ironbridge, it was an interesting read. The trouble is, I've been singing that song ever since; I decree today that life is simply taking and not giving...
ReplyDeleteI think you look great in those green trousers, I love the colour, and of course, there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing ;) xxx
We have been singing the same song on the same day, it seems. I'd given myself an earworm. As I developed a cold sore shortly afterwards, I kept telling Jos that the next bit was true as well: and I ended up with sore lips! xxx
DeleteIt is so fun following along on your travels and, of course, seeing what you wore during them! You and Jos were troopers dealing with the fickle and sometimes challenging rain, all while looking fabulous. đź’•
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry! We always try not to let the weather spoil our days off. And we'd rather deal with a bit of rain than 40° Celsius ;-) xxx
DeleteThe weather looked quite treacherous to begin. I'm glad it cleared up for you.
ReplyDeleteThe iron bridge is very unique with an interesting history.
I wonder what they were going to film in the garden?
That figure made out of beeswax is incredible! I guess they have to keep it at a certain temperature all the time.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thank you Suzanne! I was wondering the same, and tried to google it but didn't get any wiser ... xxx
DeleteOh wow, that is a lot of rain! I'm glad it cleared up so you could enjoy your days exploring and shopping. Those green pants are so fun with the florals! :)
ReplyDeleteHope that your week is going well :)
Away From Blue
Thank you Mica! We are "green pants" twins ;-) xxx
Deletewow beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteJadieegosh
Thank you! xxx
Deletelove the overgrown benthall hall & gardens! (of cause)
ReplyDeletebeside of that you and jos are made out of sugar obvisiously ;-D you´v found some very nice trasures in the shops of shrewsbury - esp. that welsh purse cought my eye....
ironbridge is a very beautiful und extremely interesting site - and that bridge is gorgeous. your blog is the best england guide - at least for people like the BW & i!
well done wearing happy colors for the gray weather!
hugsies!! xxxxx
I knew you would love Benthall Hall's gardens. Like you, I don't like it too neat, so this was perfect! And happy colours are one of life's necessities for me! xxx
DeleteReading this in the late afternoon and seeing that cream tea is making me...hungry. I love your Welsh bag! The Iron bridge is beautiful-it must be quite a sight in person.
ReplyDeleteOops, did you have a snack afterwards? The iron bridge was quite impressive, I must say. xxx
DeleteSuch a shame that the weather wasn't great! On our trip to Shropshire we were in the middle of a storm, when it's really torrential rain you have no choice but to wait it out sometimes. I think I went to Ironbridge as a child, it looks vaguely familiar, I will have to ask my mother! x
ReplyDeleteWell, the weather greatly improved afterwards, so I'm not complaining! But yes, torrential rain is best to be waited out. Although sometimes it can't be helped. We drove for many, many miles through it on the M4 in ... yes, you guessed it: Wales ;-) xxx
Deletewhat a lovely post!, I always enjoy your pics!, love the timber framework, love the buildings and the cute details!
ReplyDeleteLove your raincoat and the bold color pants, such a nice combo to travel in!. And obviously, I'm loving your orange jacket and delightful dress!. And admiring your purchases, particularly those Hotter shoes!, so cute!
The ironbridge and the magnificent Benthall are so picturesque and fabulous, thank you for sharing these pics and make me feel happy!
besos
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Monica! xxx
DeleteTrousers!!!!!!!!! Very nice ones though! I do love your photos- they are always delightful! You did well in the charity shops which is only fair after the weather! Ironbridge looks beautiful as does Benthall!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kezzie! You'll get to see me in trousers once again soon! xxx
DeleteThat raincoat is so pretty. I also really like the colourful outfit you wore to combat the greyness of the rainy days. Great charity shop finds as well. It is great you were able to do some sight seeing despite the rain and grey weather.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ivana! It really helps to wear colour on a grey day! xxx
Delete