Issues with the fridge and we visit Raglan Castle

 June 9th

Arrrggghhhh....the smell hit us suddenly just before dinner.  A very strong smell of ammonia, strong enough to catch at the back of our throats and make our eyes water. But where was it coming from? We immediately went outside, and although there was a faint smell, as soon as we re-entered the motorhome, it became apparent that the source was from inside. After looking at the batteries and electrics, Ian opened the fridge and OMG....now we knew where the smell was coming from. It was a leak from the refrigeration circuit that was the obvious cause. The fridge was switched off immediately, all windows and doors opened for ventilation, and even overnight, with the temperature dropping to a cool 5-6 degrees, we still left the roof vents open. Extra blankets it was for us both, then. I was very relieved to wake up this morning with the smell gone.

June 10th 

Without a working fridge, this morning I cooked everything I could that had started to defrost. The sausages and bacon we had for breakfast and tonight’s dinner will be the breaded chicken, defrosted chips, now very soft, and a handful of peas. Thrown out were the rest of the peas; I had bought a large bag that would now just go soggy and nasty if left, and although I had thought of soup, we couldn't keep it cool, and we certainly couldn’t eat a massive pan full! Ian looked at the cost of a new fridge...we were shocked at the price! It's not an option, though, if we want to keep the motorhome; we just have to open the wallet and fork out!

We were the last van to leave the site this morning, the loo emptied first, and water tank filled. The only plan we had for today was to visit Raglan Castle, so we took our time leaving.

With nothing on TV these days worth watching  (football is not our thing), we have revisited the series Merlin, first filmed in March 2008. It's on Amazon Prime, and we only recently found out where some of the scenes were filmed. Raglan Castle was one such place, especially in the courtyard, where Morgana sacrifices her sister, Morgause, to tear a veil between two worlds, releasing the deadly shadow creatures.   So of course, we had to have a look.

 

We think it was filmed here.

The castle itself was pretty spectacular; built in the 15th century by a Welsh nobleman, Sir William ap Thomas, and finished by his son William Thomas. Much of what remains at Raglan dates during the period of the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudor dynasty. The castle was besieged for ten weeks in 1646 by parliamentarian troops and ultimately destroyed. In the years that followed, Raglan was abandoned and left to decay. Click HERE to read more of its history. 

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 Exploring the ruins, we came across plenty of steps leading down into the cellars. Some had small exhibits in them, and others our eyes had to adjust to the light before we could see anything. 

Snack Heating Engine

Key Xylophone

Beer Dispensing Engine

There was a grand staircase that led us up and onto the castle roof.  

Near the top of the circular stairs was a pigeon! The stupid bird had built its nest on the step, and how it wasn't trodden on by folk climbing up was a miracle. Although we did have a warning notice when we first entered the stairs, it didn't tell us how far up. Thankfully, it wasn't in one of the really dark places!

Having made the climb (I'm so unfit at the moment), the views at the top were neat. A board with a photo of what the view would have looked like during the 15th and 16th centuries showed a landscape more like the manor house gardens you see today. 

 Unfortunately, the cafe wasn't open today, so we had to make do with a drink back at the motorhome. It was now about mid-afternoon, and we hadn't even decided where to stop tonight. Ian has loads of CC apps on his phone, and a site was found at Merryland village, called Heatherdene, lovely and rural, with one shower, toilet and a basin for washing up. The first thing I did when we arrived was to try the shower. Clean and one of those electric ones with instant hot water. The only trouble was that the water never got hot. I ended up having a cold shower. Certainly woke me up! Ian abandoned the idea, saying he would have one tomorrow at the site near Stoneleigh. Yep, we have booked the Rugby club site for 3 nights to be near the show ground. Will we find our forever location and home amongst the park home displays? To be decided after the weekend.

And a few more photos,

 

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