We had to lug our heavy suitcases down the stairs of the hotel before checking out and getting in the car for our short drive to Bodnant Gardens. Bodnant covers 80 acres including formal gardens, shrub-filled glades, meadows and woods, dells and water gardens and is home to historic plant collections, a Victorian East Garden and Edwardian Italianate Terraces of rose beds, pools and pergola garden rooms. We had planned to just do the short blue route but we made a wrong turn over what we thought was the waterfall bridge, since it crossed a waterfall. As a result, we went the wrong direction and walked all the way to the end of the blue path, meaning we had a much more difficult hike back, although the scenery was beautiful.

After Bodnant, we began our drive towards Powis with a stop off at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, described as a piece of engineering heritage comprising of embankments, tunnels, and viaducts. We could not find a good place to park that did not require a significant hike in very hot weather, so we drove by and took some pictures rather than walking across the aqueduct itself.

We had a bit of a drive to our next stop, Powis Castle and Gardens. Built in the 13th century, the castle and garden of the Herbert family is furnished with fabrics, paintings, furniture, tapestries. With views across the Severn Valley, the garden retains features including 17th century terraces lined with herbaceous borders and yews, and a formal garden with apple trees, rose beds, and woodlands. Upon arrival, we were hungry, so we decided to have some food in the cafe. The Indian food was good, but needed some spices.

We couldn't take photos inside the castle but after exiting it, we spent some time in the upper terrace gardens.

Following Powis, we began the three-and-a-half hour trip to Gatwick. Most of it was on the motorway, which made for relatively easy driving, except around Birmingham and as we got close to Gatwick. There were signs saying there was a one-hour delay but it must have cleared by the time we got there. We made it to the hotel and unloaded the car. J. R. went upstairs to check in and get a pass for the short-term parking but the Hilton agent was clueless. So we left the car to bring the bags in just as a bus of Chinese tourists arrived. They unloaded their bus and then blocked the revolving door while waiting for their guide so we had to push our way past them with our bags.

Janie took the car back to Enterprise, who claimed there was a dent in the front fender. They also charged us for gas even though we returned it with more than we had received it. So we have to challenge both of those with them. We repacked our bags for the flight home and went downstairs to the sports bar to get some food and beer.

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