Who Sleeps in The Library

Well, I do apparently. My junior year of college I fell asleep in the library, and having been neglected by campus security at closing time, set off the alarms at the library on my way out. Nice run on sentence, though. It was an accident, and I actually performed well on that particular exam. This time around, I paid to stay at a library as a guest. Gladstone's Library in Hawarden, Wales. Below is the library in the evening just before sunset.

Some of the highlights of this trip, meeting locals at Talacre Beach and learning about the firing range for the Royal Air Force, erosion and dunes. Just across the River Dee is Liverpool, England. I would be remiss to mention the dozens of dogs and owners that I met during my jaunt to Talacre Beach. Especially the cheeky few that brought me sticks and balls to throw at the protest of their humans. Anyway, here's the lighthouse at Talacre and a few cheeky pups.

There's something about the way books smell that's quite invigorating. The history, and theology rooms all smell that way. I can't quite explain it. I'm not sure if it's a combination of ink, paper, and binding glue that compose vellichor, but step into any used bookstore and you'll get the idea. The staff at Gladstone's Library was kind enough to send along interior shots to me because as it is a library, and people are there learning and studying, I didn't want to be the distraction with a camera. I composed the shot below imagining some dedicated soul looking through archives and hoped I could catch a silhouette of the person in the room, but no luck there, maybe someone forgot to turn the light off or went to catch a snack.

I spent 5 days, and 4 nights at Gladstone's Library. I was able to enjoy Christmas Roast (lunchtime meal) and their breakfast with a few add ons for an extra cost which is listed clearly on their page. I might have stayed an extra night to experience afternoon tea at one of local tea rooms or at the Library. For me, it was the perfect amount of time for my first visit to Wales. 

On my first day, I went to Talacre Beach, walked around to beat the timesuck, and had brussels sprouts, chestnuts, and chorizo at Gladstone's for my evening meal. On my second day, I explored the area around Hawarden and was tempted to play golf, but thought better of it, since I was there to explore, not get frustrated at an unfamiliar course. 

Then the clouds and rain came just in time to nudge me into exploring all the nooks and crannies of the history, and theology rooms for the next two days. I absolutely love political cartoons and got my fill. I think if I was a religious scholar, I might have been able to spend more time in that particular section, but that's not my cup of tea. I wouldn't mind revisiting and trying to catch a guest speaker in the future and exploring more castles. The few I went to were easy to get to and provided a fun walk amongst all the sheep. Below is the entryway to Hawarden Castle grounds. People bring their dogs to walk the grounds amongst the sheep. The sheep are unfazed.

What's left of Hawarden Castle, it's fenced off so this is as 

close as I was able to get without disturbing the sheep.

I believe this pine cone sculpture of native wood is dedicated

 to a local benefactor of the Hawarden Castle property.

Bucket list

Crossing items off a list brings my lizard brain a great deal of joy. Crossing off bucket list items is pure exhilaration. No, I'm not going to space although I still hope in my lifetime it's possible for average people like me to visit the stars. I keep doing so in my dreams, and for now I'm content with that. Perhaps it's worth its own post in the future.

As a kid I read, From The Mixed Up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler so many bloody times, the librarian gave me a copy when they retired the book from circulation at my college graduation. I gifted it to a child when I was traveling. I'm hoping some kid is reading that copy under a blanket with a flashlight, but I digress. 

It's happening though, I'm visiting Wales and staying at Gladstone's Library. While at the library, I will seek out Arthurian legend, Chaucer contemporaries, and local Welsh lore. I also have visits to Talacre lighthouse (another bucket list item in the subset of lighthouses), and some castles in the area weather permitting of course. 

I haven't done this in a really long time, but I'm going to take my camera and scope out some wildlife. I'll find some deer paths and try to capture some of the local fauna and landscapes. If my knees cooperate, I might take in some elevation and put some miles on my boots. I'm looking forward to my visit and possibly making some new friends. Okay, maybe that's a bit ambitious, but I will say hello to people and introduce myself to them before asking about their dog. (Progress, right?!)

Any how, I've booked all the things and am patiently waiting for this well-earned trip. I'll be sure to share this journey with you in my next entry. If you can't already tell, I've taken a great deal of time to heal and process over the past few years. I fully expect to post here on a regular basis and appear sporadically on social media.