Valentines in the Vale

Adverse weather was not allowed to get in the way of our annual valentines away weekend. Well up a hill and safe from flooding we rented one of a small cluster of farm cottages at Downton near Ludlow on the Herefordshire/Shropshire border.

For a small market town Ludlow boasts some amazing architecture. Nearby arguable the best little tea shop in the country – Rocke Cottage Tearooms. 

In similar vain is Stokesay church and castle  

and this special plaque to the achievement of the church bell ringers




Above the area towers Clee Hill with its amazing views and equally amazing quarry remains scattered around the hill side.

There is no higher ground to the east until the Ural Mountains in Russia.

We also passed through the village of Cleobury Mortimer  where St Marys church spire bares a close resemblance to the twisted spire of Chesterfield.

All in all a cosy and not too damp valentines.