Ride to Rhug

Sometimes an outing is about the destination and sometimes it's about just sitting in the car and not doing much when you get there.... As the temperatures lower and the trees show increasing signs of winter's approach, our outings need to be carefully thought out. Do we shop or do we drive?

But today's destination was a bit of both, although it has to be said that we probably would not drive for the 22 miles there and the 26 miles back were it not for the beautiful sights to be seen along the way. Rhug Estate is worth a visit, but if you are not interested in good food and organic meats you may just arrive and wonder what to do.... (Just to set things off on the right footing - and not to upset our Welsh speakers it's pronounced 'R-Heeg'.)

Take the A525 out of Wrexham and turn left at Llandgela onto the A5104 for about 12 miles and turn right onto the A5 which passes Rhug. 

 It used to be a place that we passed on the road on day trips to the very popular Bala Lake - Wales' largest expanse of water. Selling large bison burgers to the hoards of motor cyclists who used it as a meet (or should that be meat?) up place. It still has a rather beautiful stainless steel bison which has been abandoned where this action used to take place. For now, the other end of the car park has gone trendy...  

Apparently the Rhug Estate itself covers 12,500 acres from Gwyddelwern to Carrog to the east and encompasses a 2,500 acre organic farm. The estate also has let farms, forestry and cottages. Traditional sporting includes shooting and fishing and modern such as rally car driving, gorge walking, mountain biking and canoing. So, the handsome new organic farm shop is, as you may expect, well designed and built with all that the passing cars of crumblies who pass on a Sunday afternoon may desire.

We can't resist the wonderful meat and try not to screw up our faces at the eye watering prices of our wares. But the tea in the Bison Grill helped us revive and the service was delightful.

The route home is back onto the A5 and through Corwen. Again, the route is lined with trees and autumnal colour growing more intense as the dusk gathers. Now that the clocks have gone back, our Sunday afternoons are somewhat shorter. This route has the added interest of having strong associations with that Welsh anti hero Owain Glyndwr. But I am sure we will meet him again on these pages and we must get home as it is getting dark.....

Groovin' at the Grosvenor

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The ubiqitous British  Garden Centre

 

An observant alien, travelling around Britain, should they have the ability to glance out of the window unfettered by the concerns of driving, might think that the average Brit could only survive but a few minutes without access to plants, seeds and trellises, such are the large number of Garden Centres dispersed around both rural and suburban areas. Equally, one might seriously come to doubt what a garden actually contains should they venture inside. For anything from slipper socks, glass baubles and bookmarks to teddies, key rings and feather dusters can be found within.

But what a joy such places are for those who find themselves with an hour or two to spare with two lively old folk as your companions. Like many towns, Wrexham has a large number of such places within a few minutes drive and most of them make for an entertaining Sunday afternoon. So it was that we set off for one of the grandest of them all, The Grosvenor.

On the very outskirts of Chester, this extravaganza of the shopping experience is the epitome of the best shopping you can have without spending any money...for it is a very rare Sunday that the grannies buy anything (apart from their habitual friendly banter on whose turn it is to buy the tea!). But that does not stop any of the enjoyment of our time there.

Watching out for the Duke....

Grosvenor is a common name for buildings and hotels around Chester for it is the family name of the city's most famous rich lad - the Duke of Westminster. He owns the estate (and quite frequently resides in) Eaton Hall in the freakishly strange village of Eccleston (I swear that in my entire life I have yet to see one person walking through its picturesque streets). So one always fancies that he will be at his namesake Garden Centre buying petunias for his borders...but we wait in vain.

But the Grosvenor is a feast for any eyes. Even in October, the shelves are heavily laden with Christmas fare. We all agree that it is far too early for this. It's not even Halloween yet! Keep Christmas in December, that's what we say.....

Despite this homage to commercialism, if you look hard enough, you might even find some plants too! No, that's not fair, the plants and advice on gardening have a great reputation; but as my ventures into the garden are rare, I am probably not the best person to be reviewing that section.

But today we have the added treat of a Craft Fair. We spend a pleasant half hour admiring their wares and trying to avoid catching the eyes of the various knitters and woodscratchers behind each stall. I buy a few Snowdonia Watercolour prints and the grannies cross question me closely about my extravagance.

Over tea at the Orangery Restaurant our conversation drifts to what we are going to do at Christmas ...