miss b loves ........a weekend in Wales with a French twist (Part 2)

Our Sunday in Montgomery, Wales began well with the most delicious Welsh breakfast served with homemade toasted brioche .....

The dining room at The Checkers is elegant and comfortable ...

...... with more French touches, another reminder that the chef proprietor Stéphane Borie is originally from France ..........

The staff are so helpful and recommended a walk up to the Montgomery Monument where we were rewarded with a stunning 360 degree panorama, gorgeous autumn colours and a rainbow!

The monument commemorates people from Montgomeryshire who have died during all past wars. It was built originally to honour those killed in the First World War but has since been rededicated.  

Back in the town, we were ready for a second visit to the Castle kitchen to try the famous Welsh bara brith ... delicious with or without butter!

Next door, The Little Gallery is a beautiful art gallery and gift shop which we had visited the previous day...

 ... a riot of colour!

I wonder if I should have bought the robin cushion? Socks in every possible colour combination ...and I chose ........ beige!!

Around the corner, Indigo Moon has an eclectic mix of gifts too.

It was good to see small independent businesses doing well but this interesting plaque shows how trading in Montgomery has changed over the years ..... 

The Offa's Dyke Path is one of the longest national trails and as it runs close to Montgomery we decided to walk a very short section. 

Offa's Dyke follows the England/Wales border for 177 miles from the Severn Estuary to Prestatyn in the north. 

Offa was King of Mercia, effectively an early King of England from 757-796AD. It is not clear whether the 8th century dyke was built as a boundary or as a defensive structure.

At one point we were standing in Wales with Shropshire, England on the other side of the gate!

Before leaving Montgomery we spotted the most unusual tourist information 'office' .....an old telephone box painted blue, filled with useful leaflets about the area .....

 .....and what a cute warning sign....frogs! 

Our lovely weekend was coming to an end but before our journey home we bought some local Monty's beer and Welsh cheese .....

.....I'm determined to recreate the perfect Welsh rarebit which we had enjoyed in the Castle Kitchen café the previous day. I had noticed on the menu that they add Monty's beer to the mixture with cheese from their deli.

Welsh rarebit - a very posh cheese on toast,
at the Castle Kitchen café

If you missed Part 1 ......a stroll around picturesque Montgomery and a memorable dinner at The Checkers, click here