Will and the Peacock

Today's the day . . . . . . . . . to show off

We're staying overnight at the wonderful Ruthin Castle Hotel,  on our way down to Pembrokeshire.  We've stayed here many times before and each time it has never failed to delight us with its quirky eccentricities. 

The building itself is worth visiting alone - a vast expanse of grand rooms and corridors, that started life as a proper 12th century castle. In its 800 years of history, it has rubbed shoulders with the great, the good - and the not so good. Welsh hero, Owain Glyndwr - Edward I and Charles I, Kings of England - to name but a few.  Eventually,  it was given a make-over in the early 1800s, when the 'new' castle was built, incorporating the bits of the original that still remained. 

Somewhere along the way, the peacocks arrived on the scene.  They're still here now - and they are perfectly at home, mingling with the guests having a drink on the terrace - or as above, with artists painting the view.  The males carry on their courtship of the females, showing off their fine feathers with incredible enthusiasm.  The females, I have to say, are far more interested in what's on offer to eat (see extra)!

It's well worth a visit if you're anywhere near . . . . .