It was lovely to be able to embark on a morning drive to Clun. When we arrived, although there was hardly anyone we had a little trouble finding a place to park. Once we had solved the parking problem we headed to the Postcard Cafe for an early lunch. After ordering lunch, in my case a scone we chose a table outside. The wind became gusty so we retreated inside.

When my scone arrived it was eclipsed by the volume of cream and jam (cream on one half of the sliced scone and jam on the other half). I rearranged everything so that I had just enough cream and jam on each half of the scone. The jam being fruity rather than sweet was especially delicious and was complimented by a fresh strawberry.

Whilst we were eating there was a thud outside! The road is quite narrow and a camper van had reversed to allow a camper van coming in the opposite direction to pass by. Unfortunately the camper van knocked a sun parasol (that was shading one of the outside tables) causing it to fall over.  The driver of the camper van was mortified, but no harm was done.  The falling parasol missed the couple who with their babe in arms were sitting underneath it.

After lunch we set off on a short but extremely windy walk to Clun Castle. All too soon it was time to return home so that Mr C could enjoy the first (delayed) Grand Prix of the season.

Clun castle was built in the late 11th century to proclaim Norman dominance over this part of the Welsh Marches. It later became home to the Fitzalans, and important ruling family.

After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the border between Wales and England remained an usettled area. William the Conqueror granted lands here to his followers to defend the border. These men became the powerful marcher lords, ruling their lands independently of royal control.

One of them, Picot de Say, is thought to have built the castle, high on a natural spru guarding the Clun valley. In 1155, the castle passed by marriage of Isabella de Say to William Fitzalan, and was owned by the powerful Fitzalan family for the next 400 years.

Clun was at the centre of a vast lordship know as the honour of Clu, over which the Fitzalans excercised unlimited authority, administering a mixture of Welsh and English law.*

*From a signboard by the castle remains

A orange globe appeared in the sky and stayed all weekend which is rather strange and unusual for a bank holiday.  I had a busy weekend spring cleaning, but also found time to chill out and read for a while.

Today the weather was too good to miss so we headed out in the direction of Ludlow and decided to have lunch in Clun.  Unfortunately ‘The Green Man’ festival was taking place so the tiny village was heaving with people.  It always pays to do your homework beforehand…

We struggled through Clun and headed out along the country roads. We found a hidden gem of a tea shop near Clungunford.  All the food was home made and I overheard that they had been up late last night getting all the food ready for today.  I can confirm the food was delicious and will certainly go back again if I am in that area.

After lunch we went to Ludlow and this also proved difficult.  The roads in the centre of the town were all closed because there was a fun fair in the street for the bank holiday week.  Eventually we found a parking space and navigated our way on foot through the fun fair to the rather more peaceful grounds of Ludlow Castle.

It was a perfect summer’s day in spring