Sunday 25th June 2023

Woke around 0730. Aki got up and made tea. I prepared breakfast. Started tidying up and packing…had to be out of the apartment by 1000. Michael came over for a chat, and we got to meet his wife…great couple…very friendly. Drove off around 1030 and headed eastward down the A5…it’s a glorious drive. Joined the A49 south of Shrewsbury and arrived in Ludlow at 1315. Parked up and walked into the town centre looking for some lunch. 

Wandered through the Market Square and on round the castle perimeter, finding our way down to the River Teme and Cafe on the Green. I was expecting a sandwich joint but it was eastern Mediterranean cuisine…we had a trout salad and an asparagus dish with black olive gnocchi and a delicious romesco sauce…it was excellent. Ambled along the Breadwalk along the river bank which took us to Ludford Bridge, where this evening's accommodation is sited, then up the hill, under the medieval gatehouse, into the town centre.

Had a wander round the town centre...came across a plaque in the churchyard commemorating A.E.Housman. Drove to the Charlton Arms Hotel and checked in. We had been upgraded to a room with a private balcony over the river...I say room, but it was more like an apartment, with a small sitting room, a large double bedroom, and a massive bathroom with two wand wash basins, a bath, and a walk-in shower. We ate dinner in their restaurant conservatory, with views up-river, looking out in vain for otters. Enjoyed the pork loin roast, with Yorkshire pudding, followed by Eton Mess. Repaired to our balcony for a beer afterward, then watched a bit of Elton John's performance at Glastonbury before bed...