Caravanned from London to Church Stoke, Wales this morning. Wales is a new country for me. Yes, Wales is a separate country. Stopped at a British rest stop. Super happy bc I found my favorite Euro soda – Fanta lemon. And a random candy bar I’d never heard of before. Was expecting a cookie inside. But it is literally a little log of chocolate.

We are camped (figuratively, you know I don’t literally camp) for the week at Mellington Hall in Wales. This place is something else. And, it used to be someone’s HOUSE. As I understand it, the house dates to the mid 1860s. Everything creaks and it’s glorious. I’m sure there’s a ghost living here that I won’t see. I hope they have a history of the house/property around here somewhere.

Look at this staircase! All I can think about his how many feet have walked up and down these stairs. And how many stories they could tell.

Had delicious tea and “cakes” when we arrived. Loved the mismatched china teacups. The scones were superb. I tried to make scones once. Once. Scones are much better when someone else makes them for you.

Very briefly walked around the grounds – the scenery is breathtaking. Found a magnificent pheasant sculpture that I need to figure out how to stuff into my suitcase. There are sheep everywhere here. I was told there are more sheep in Wales than there are people. I tried to walk down to the pasture to take some photos of them, but they ran away from me. I am intimidating to sheep, I guess.

Had ridiculously yummy sticky toffee pudding for dessert tonight. I’m sure it was 10 billion calories, but I don’t care. Life is short. Eat the pudding. Plus, they didn’t put any goddamned raisins in it, so it was pretty much perfect.