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Thursday 30 October 2008

North Wales

Any visit to North Wales wouldn't be complete without a trip to the magnificent castle at Caernarvon. This is where the current Prince of Wales was invested way back in about 1969. The castle really is charming with lots of towers to walk up and walkways to amble across. Lovely views all round as well, Menai Straits to one side, lots of ancient rooftops to the other. There were one or two interesting shops in the town, and we finished our trip with a visit to Celtica, the Welsh shop. On our way out of Caernarvon we went and had a walk around the Roman barracks at Segontium; very like those at Caerleon in South Wales.

Many years ago I was offered a job in the North Wales town of Bangor, so we went and had a look round. Not quite sure why, but we didn't go into the cathedral, but I think we should have done. Did manage to walk all the way to the end of the lovely pier though, with stunning views over the Menai Straits, and looking across into Beaumaris where we had been earlier in the week.

Llanfairfrechan, with it's lovely little cafe, proved a good place to meander down along the seafront, watching the waves lapping on the shore.

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Wales does it again!

Wales has again managed to surprise me! A week of wonderful weather; the rain came down during the nights, but the days were as clear and bright as any summer day! Stayed in a beautifully converted old school house in a lovely little village, Dwygyfylchi, near Penmaenmawr.

Llandudno was the first stop. Up the Great Orme on the tram - nearly got blown away it was so windy! Followed by a leisurely walk down the lengthy pier and lunch in a beautifully restored theatre. Passing Venue Cymru I was so tempted to spend the evening with Max Boyce, but the others didn't really share my enthusiasm!

I'd never really considered the possibility of my ever going to Anglesey, but I popped over the famous bridge and spent a day on the island. Bought a three-day explorer ticket for CADW at Beaumaris Castle, Beaumaris being a lovely little place with an interesting castle on the flat overlooking the Menai Straits. Walked down the dinky little pier and had a quick look at an art exhibition (which funnily enough, had some paintings of St Ives!). Stopped off at the station with the longest place name in Britain: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Hadn't realised it had been made into a shop, so spent a few minutes looking around before heading off to use the NT card to go to Plas Newydd, a huge stately home - very grandiose.

There is more to come ...