Ollie Days 3

"A neurotic is a man who builds a castle in the air. A psychotic is the man who lives in it. A psychiatrist is the man who collects the rent."
Jerome Lawrence

Slow start this morning, overcast first thing so no colourful display.  Ollie's keen to get out for his after breakfast stroll and leads me up the lane.  We meet a local on the way back, also out for a stroll.  Although she's lived here over 50 years I can tell from her accent she's not from around here originally, amazing how childhood accents stay with us.  My grandmother lived nearby in her childhood, we passed by the house yesterday, so this is like walking in my ancestors footsteps.

Another morning of playing with watercolours; K1 wants to do some landscapes.  The couple of hours soon pass and it's lunchtime, time to explore further afield.

Today's expedition is to Skenfrith, another massive Norman stronghold from the 12/13th century in the land of the three castles.  This one is on the banks of the Monnow and controls travel along the river, also providing means of keeping the stronghold supplied.  The church next door is interesting too, the gravestones and inscriptions tell a story of the sort of people who live here - as does the supply of freshly made cakes on sale inside. We get our supplies and head off to visit Grosmont, the third castle in the Trilateral.  This is new territory for me and the countryside is stunning, just beginning to don its autumnal cloak.  Set on the hillside commanding views of the valley below, it also has a deep moat surrounding the imposing stone curtain wall.  all very impressive but afternoon tea and cake calls at 4pm so we head back "home" for another evening of reading and relaxation to round off another relaxing day in darkest Monmouthshire.