My Ironbridge adventure began at The Water Rat Inn, which is on the outskirts of Ironbridge.

After checking in I stretched my legs in the garden, which is right next to the River Severn.

For a few moments I thought that the Bridge just along from The Water Rat was The Ironbridge. On closer inspection it definitely wasn’t. The Bridge below is the Albert Edward Bridge built 85 years after the Ironbridge in 1864!

While out exploring with the humans I found The Ironbridge! It was built in 1779; the first iron bridge in the world.

I had a peep at the river through the railings on each side of the bridge.

After walking a couple of miles along the river we arrived at the China works which looked very interesting but wasn’t open as we got there quite late.

On the road leading to Ironbridge we found remains of the Bedlam furnaces. They were built in 1756 and used coke to smelt iron at very high temperatures.

A very large bear lives at the Ironbridge Interiors shop at the Merrythought Village. He is called Dane and made me feel rather small.

After exploring it was good to have a rest on the comfy bed.

The next morning I enjoyed a yummy cooked breakfast.

After breakfast I set off to find some more small bears like me. Merrythought bears are made in Ironbridge.

Unfortunately the shop and museum wasn’t open while I was there. There were lots of small bears waiting for homes in the window.

Some very big bears too!

The humans were going to visit Blists Hill Victorian Town outdoor museum. It is a couple of miles from Ironbridge centre so I climbed into the bear carrier to get there. The walk involved going uphill through the woods so I was glad to have a lift.

Blists Hill is a recreated Victorian Shropshire town.

At the admission desk people are given a newspaper with information and a map of the site.

At the entrance to the town I met the policeman. We had a nice chat about where I was from so I told him all about me being originally from Alresford in Hampshire.

In Victorian times coal was very important. Here I am on the coal merchants cart. I did make sure it wasn’t covered in coal dust before climbing up!

In the bike store I climbed up onto a Hercules Artisan. I think it needed a good clean and a service.

Next I called in at Bryan the Draper’s shop.

There was selection of caps, with one in my size so I tried it on. I think it suits me!

The grocer’s shop looked interesting so after posing for a photo I went in to have a look round.

The cash register was enormous; nothing like the computerised tills that shops have nowadays.

Next stop was the Chemist shop that had interesting items in the window.

We have a stone hot water bottle a bit like the one in the window. When we used to have a rabbit it was filled with hot water and used to heat the rabbit hutch in winter.

Inside there were many strange creams and potions. I think my face looks a bit crooked in the reflection.

The dentist’s chair looked very well worn.

I must admit I wasn’t keen to sit in the chair until a lovely lady suggested I should try it. She had a quick look at my teeth and said they were all in excellent condition and reminded me not to eat too many sweets.

Next I was lured to the the sweetshop by the window display.

I was about to buy a bag of pear drops, then remembered the words of the dentist so quickly left the sweetshop.

The fair was in town and I watched the brightly painted horses (and chickens) go up and down as the carousel went round and round.

I had a ride on one called ‘Manto’ and had to hold on tight as he went up and down.

Afterwards I said “Hello” to Flash, who was waiting to give rides to small children.

I had a rest outside a little cottage with tin bath hung up outside.

The outside toilet was next to the pig stye. Things were very different for humans in Victorian times and have changed massively in the last 150 years.

We had a long walk back to Ironbridge but this time it was down the hill. Here I am on the other side of the very famous bridge.

There are lots of museums in Ironbridge but we only had time to visit one!

For more information see https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/

Horace the Alresford Bear 17/8/23

We stayed in a loft apartment called The Wheelhouse.

The entrance was through a gate where there was a deck for sitting outside.

There was quite a good view of the sea through the round window….

….. and another wonderful view through the patio doors.

I opened the door to climb up and get better look at the flags flying on a neighbouring flagpole; a Cornish flag and Ukrainian flag.

I enjoyed exploring Downderry beach. I had a good look at the various boats and climbed into a small fishing boat.

Here I am with the pots that are used to catch lobsters or maybe crabs.

When the tide was out I investigated the rock pools. I should have remembered my wellies as my feet got a bit wet.

I found cockles and some sea anemones in the crevice that looked like blobs of jelly….

… and limpets stuck very tightly to the rocks…

…plus lots of seaweed. It was a mistake sitting here as I ended up with a wet bottom as well as my wet feet.

The humans cooked a very tasty curry for me for supper.

Seaton beach is about a half mile walk along the sand when the tide is out. There weren’t many humans there as the weather was rather gloomy with lots of rain showers.

Life guards had put their surfboards out to show humans the safest place to swim.

I found a sheltered place to have a little rest. I think some young humans probably built the pebble wall.

It was good to relax on the deck of The Wheelhouse when the sun came out ad wasn’t too hot. I don’t like really hot weather.

On our last day the wind was blowing at 40mph for a few hours. I nearly got blown away when I opened the window.

Later the same day the weather settled down a little so I enjoyed a walk along the coast path towards Portwrinkle.

Here I am with Portwrinkle behind me.

In arrival at Portwrinkle harbour I had a rest in a boat.

The weather had become very blustery so I didn’t get too close to the water in the harbour.

The beach cafe, The Jolly Roger was rather odd. They didn’t give me a plate and I had to eat my almond tart with a wooden knife and made rather a lot of crumbs.

Walking the coast path is very tiring for a small bear, so after my supper I went straight to sleep .

I really enjoyed my time in Downderry and hope to go to Cornwall again in not too distant future.

Horace the Alresford Bear 3/8/23

I last visited Cotehele over 5 years ago when it was Daffodil Day. We called there again for a walk and lunch. It is a lovely place to visit.

Cotehele is over 600 years old. The estate was given to The National Trust in 1947. There is lots of information about the estate in the Discovery Centre.

There is a lovely walk down through The Valley Garden.

To reach the Valley Garden you have to go down some steps and through an archway.

There is a pond and Medieval Dovecote in the garden

I was delighted to find some Gunnera, which looks like giant rhubarb growing near the path which enabled me to have a good look at it.

The leaves are really very enormous.

The Gunnera produces new growth from a pink fuzzy looking crown.

There are great views of the viaduct that goes over the river Tamar from the Valley Garden.

On arriving at Cotehele Quay I was pleased to find that the tent over the Shamrock, a very old Tamar barge, had been removed since the last time we visited.

There is an old hoist on the quayside which would have been used for unloading cargo. Coal and limestone were brought to Cotehele where the lime was extracted in lime kilns.

The date on the hoist stated 1863 which makes it 160 years old.

The winch was very old too!

There is something quite calming about sitting and watching a river.

It was well past lunch time so I was very hungry when we reached The Edgecombe Tearoom. I certainly enjoyed my pasty.

There’s always room in a bear’s tummy for an ice cream. I ate this one sat inside an old lime kiln before walking back up the valley.

Cotehele is a wonderful peaceful place. The house is very interesting too (we went inside back in 2018). Do visit if you get the chance.

My last visit in 2018 https://horacethealresfordbear.com/2018/03/27/cotehele-daffodil-day/

For more information about Cotehele https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/cotehele

Horace the Alresford Bear 30/7/23

As I walked down the main street in Upton upon Severn a bright red post box with mice on the top caught my eye.

The mice were a delight to look at.

I especially liked the Morris dancing mice.  I do a bit of Morris dancing myself sometimes.

Next I came across a stall selling hats and flower garlands and tried a few on…

It was difficult deciding which to buy. The hats were a tad large.

I settled for a flower garland which I was able to adjust to fit me. 

I headed to the Riverside Stage to listen to the band playing there.

Jack J Hutchinson was on the stage – he is a blues rock guitarist.

I really got into the music and couldn’t stop myself from bopping around to it. The human got a short video clip of me (unfortunately the sound didn’t pick up very well on her phone camera) Here it is!

My tummy felt the need for food. I was delighted to find a Women’s Institute tent selling homemade cakes and tea. I settled for a slice of raisin, apple and cider cake. Yum yum yum….

On hearing some very fast moving music with violins I headed towards The Meadow Stage where I listened and bopped about to The Whiskey Rebellion.

It wasn’t long before my legs got too tired for bopping so I just sat in the sunshine and enjoyed the bands.

I had a wonderful time at the festival and hope to go again one day.

For more information see http://www.uptonbluewsfestival.com

Horace the Alresford Bear 24/7/23

The Malverns in Worcestershire consist of a row of seven hills. The humans parked in a carpark at Beacon Road and set off to go up to the summit of the highest hill. Once up on the top the hills aren’t very steep to climb up.

Some fluffy cattle were grazing on the slopes.

I said ‘Hello’ to a sheep.

It wasn’t long before we got to the top of Worcestershire Beacon. I shall let you in on a secret. It was very windy at the top. My human’s partner had to hide behind the triangulation point and keep hold of me while the photo was taken otherwise I might have taken off!

After walking down again I sat below North Beacon and had a look at where we had just been.

My tummy was starting to rumble so I was very pleased when the humans stopped for a picnic.

Yum yum yum….

Horace the Alresford Bear 21/7/23

I was very fortunate to be able to visit Cotswold lavender when the lavender was all in bloom and at its peak. Nye came along with me. Here are our photos:

Nye spotted a very large bee!

At the shop we bought some lavender honey…

There was also a wild flower meadow which we enjoyed before leaving

There are lovely views of the Vale of Evesham from the lavender farm.

We hope you enjoyed our photos; we certainly enjoyed posing for the photos.

For more information see https://www.cotswoldlavender.co.uk/

Horace the Alresford Bear 19/7/23

I was very hungry when we arrived at Croft Castle, so had a delicious lunch consisting of pea soup and chunky chips sat in the sunshine outside the tearoom.

With tummy full it was time to explore.

The castle is a manor house which was built in the 18th Century. We didn’t go inside as time was limited and the humans wanted to walk around the gardens.

I did have a sit on this strange stone creature that resides by the entrance door of the castle.

I climbed up onto the wall to look at the view, though the humans were concerned that the wind might blow me over and they would have to help me back somehow!

The plants in the walled garden were growing very well.

I was quite surprised to find lots of grapevines.

This little flower will be a bunch of grapes in a few months time….

The grapes are made into wine. Unfortunately there weren’t any samples available to taste.

Several of the trees in the walled garden had huge bunches of mistletoe growing on them. It was quite low down so I had a good look at it.

This pot was empty, I couldn’t resist climbing in for a photo!

I looked for newts in the pond but they must have been hiding under the lilies.

Wild flowers are left to grow in some areas of the garden. I am very fond of poppies.

I tried my paw at playing quoits. I think for a small Bear I am rather good at it.

I didn’t manage to hit the shuttlecock over the badminton net though….

Playing games made me wonder about the children’s play area.

I found a castle that was just the right size for me.

I got a wee bit dizzy on the swinging thing.

Holding on tight was necessary on the seesaw.

Before the long drive home we decided to do one of the many waymarked walks around the estate. At the start of the Fishpool walk I had another swing on the big lump of wood that closes the gate.

It is very restful walking through trees.

In approaching the grotto it started to rain.

A grotto is a good place to shelter. I watched the rain drops falling onto the lake.

There is a gothic pumphouse.

The water wheel didn’t look as though it had turned for a very long time.

At the end of the walk I enjoyed a yummy banana before going back to the car for the journey back to Bristol.

I hope to visit again sometime and go inside the castle.

For more information see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/croft-castle-and-parkland

Horace the Alresford Bear 29/6/23

Before going in to the grounds I looked up and marveled at a very very old tree.

The tree is nearly 250 years old!

I had a little rest on a wall with a view next to the tea room before setting off to find the walled garden.

The house is in the background but on this occasion we had only stopped to break a journey North so were just visiting the walled garden.

As soon as I entered the garden I felt happy and peaceful. The orchard is full of beautiful wild flowers and all sorts of apple trees.

I climbed up into this one to get a better view of everything. I am quite short so sometimes need a bit of elevation.

Someone had been busy hanging up hammocks.

I had previously had a very busy week and much enjoyed lounging in the hammock for a little while. I could hear birds singing and some jazz musicians playing.

I set off to find the musicians.

So many lovely flowers to look at on the way!

This is a good assortment of pelargonium (sometimes called geraniums)

In the kitchen garden the tomatoes were coming along nicely.

Just look at those lettuce plants!

I also came across an almond tree, I haven’t seen one of those before.

The sound of music got louder as I got nearer to the musicians.

I found them with a group of humans watching.

I sat with my picnic lunch and listened to the music, which was very relaxing.

After eating I climbed into a nearby deckchair and had a little nap.

We go up North a couple of times a year so I hope to visit Berrington again and explore further. I did very much enjoy the walled garden and the music too.

For more information about Berrington Hall see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/berrington-hall

Horace the Alresford Bear 24/6/23