Monday, October 2, 2023

North Wales

We headed off today with dubious weather forecast. We were waiting to see the weather before confirming where we would visit.

Emma took me on a wonderful road trip into the mountains.  The day started with light rain and mist and fog which ended up gradually clearing to a beautiful day late afternoon.






The road winded through quaint villages, green farm lands, stone walls, autumn leaves and a hint of mountains but they were shrouded in mist and fog. 






The lookout with views to Mt Snowdon was a blustery affair with a busload of tourists and us laughing at the whiteout!  Promise you we were there 😂








A visit to Betws-y-coed, a picturesque alpine adventure village with a mix of hikers, canoeists, mountain bikers and day tripers.  We visited this village 26yrs ago and some of it was familiar.  Cute craft shops, produce and gourmet foods, cafes and pubs, outdoor shops.  The autumn leaves are starting to colour 😊













The Swallow Falls were roaring with water today 😊




A visit to Ty-Hwr-y-bont a gorgeous cottage covered in autumn colours.  We had to cross a one way bridge built in the 1600's.  






We returned through Conwy including castle views.






Finished tonight with a beautiful roast meal.



Fabulous day!


Sunday, October 1, 2023

Llandudno Wales

And so begins the next stage of my trip.  I flew out of Europe yesterday on day 89 of a 90 day visa.  I will travel, cycle, house and pet sit in the UK for the next 3 mo tha.


Today I had a walk down memory lane as Sarah and I drove to the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales and visited the quaint town of Beaumaris.  I used to visit the seaside town regularly when we lived in the UK 26 years ago as my kids great grandparents lived there.  







The town has become a centre for cottage crafts, artisan foods, local distillerys and beautiful garden shops.  We wandered to the pier, the castle and looked in all the little shops with true North Wales weather rolling in.











Then we drove to the far end of the Island to Penmon to see the lighthouse and view to Puffin island (wrong time of year for a sighting).  







Then a look around the 400yr old Priory, dovecote and well







Tonight Sarah, Emma and I went to a beautiful restaurant for a belated birthday dinner.  Lots of laughs and travel stories shared.







Wonderful day and hard to believe a couple of days ago I was swimming in clear waters in 30 degree heat!  Such is the wonder of travel.

 

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