A shout out for Ceridwen Theatre Company

Had an interesting evening at Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean. A small Welsh theatre company - Ceridwen - put on 'Hell Was Passchendale'. 

We all assembled in the top cafe and were allocated a number. Split into three 'platoons' we were led down the long tunnel to the caves. The sound of bombardments were all around. Round the first bend we were corralled and disciplined by the Sargent Major. Further down we met a highly charged tunneller aka Birdsong mode. further on a highly distressed war nurse told tales of mutilated soldiers and horses. Finally being led into the main cave and a lifesize outline of a Churchill tank, disabled with a jammed escape hatch and slowly sinking into the mud of Paschendale, it's three occupants unable to escape. 

It was heavy with emotion and powerfully acted - you almost felt like you had been through hell with them. Great setting for this particular play.

Clearwell Christmas

Another first for Sis was a trip to Clearwell Caves and a walk through their magical tunnels and caverns with theirchristmas display - one of Marion's favourites. Created in one of the Forest of Dean's Freeminer mines this annual event is good old fashioned low tech fun for kids of all ages.

We were a bit late for Santa so Sis had to sit in for him:

Bluebells are Blue

We had only intended to visit Home Farm, near Huntley, and wander their bluebell woods ..

This year really has been staggering for flora and blossom

but the day was so beautiful and the bluebells in profusion, we continued through the forest - pausing at Clearwell for a lunchtime snack - to the Wye valley and Cadora and Bigswear Woods. This Woodland Trust circular walk, alongside Offas Dyke, is one of the best bluebell woodland walks in the area.












Then, being sooo close we had to drop in at Tintern for tea n cakes (well, in my case, maple syrup crepes n cream :-p  ). The perfect end to a quintessential spring day. 

Christmas Comes Early

Due to hectic social calanders this is the last weekend before the festive day that we shall all be together in Gloucester so we decided to have an early mini celebratory weekend.

We got the tree Friday much to the delight of Santa Doggie :) 

 






Lunch and some Christmas food shopping at the amazing Farringtons.



and onto the Enchanted Christmas arboretum at Westonburt.
This is best seen in 3D on a cold winters night in yer cap n boots, followed by a warming glass of mulled wine, but to give you a feel ...

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Vid Clip

 Next day brought a search for breckie in the Forest of Dean which led us to Gavellers Cafe which also marks the start of the Forest Sculpture Trail ..

 

Then on to The Hungry Polar Bear, this years christmas offering at the amazing Clearwell Caves turned, yet again, into a winter wonderland ..

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then home to a well earned home made sloe gin 

n a slice of Christmas cake :-p









Thinking of buying a Kindle, or book, this Christmas? Don't forget to order Angorichina by Marion Grace Woolley.