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Castles In The Air

The Restoration Adventures of Two Young Optimists and a Crumbling Old Mansion

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About this listen

Castles in the Air is a beautifully written, autobiographical story of rescuing an ancient mansion. Gwydir Castle was inhabited by ravers and rats until Judy Corbett and her husband Peter Welford found and acquired this 500-year-old house mouldering in the foothills of Snowdonia. Despite the toads, strange smells and squatters, they decided to mortgage themselves to the hilt to bring the castle back to life.

This is an evocatively written and genuinely moving book and is infused with an extraordinary sense of place. The couple's adventures in a gothic wonderland lead them through plots both supernatural and historical. In a museum storeroom in a Bronx warehouse they find a missing room, in the castle's Solar Tower the ghost of a young woman appears and from the far edges of the woods a silent man called Sven emerges to befriend the couple and their beloved castle.

For everyone who has ever wanted to live in a glorious house or escape from the mundanity of life - Castles in the Air is pure magic.

 Home Design & Renovation House & Home Women
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If you love heritage and restoration, this is the book for you! And I'll be sure to be visiting Gwydir Castle in the near future :-)

Fascinating Story

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Well written, interesting and highly entertaining book. It is full of descriptions and stories - some horrifying and many amusing. The book did not inspire me to take up castle renovations (rather the reverse!) but definitely left me wanting to know what had happened since the end of the book. A great armchair read. The excellent narrator added to the enjoyment. I will certainly be recommending this book to my friends. (It would also be great fun to book a night in one of the guest rooms!)

Fascinating

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An intriguing account of a young couple’s determined and tireless quest to rescue and restore a virtually derelict ancient castle. Their love of the place and dedication to its welfare really shines through in this story, which is charmingly written and beautifully narrated.

Interesting and charming

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Really enjoyed the book I could see everything threw Judy eyes.
I am so glad Judy and peter made this journey and gave us all back an amazing castle.

Amazing book

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I thought this was a very interesting and well written book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Very well narrated.

Excellent!

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