Back later

Back later

Hello. I don't feel like writing a happy post today because I'm feeling sad for those families who have lost loved ones, sad for those who are injured, and sad for the people who's lives have changed forever. I am struggling to find any more words.

My broken tooth is fixed, I have bought some plants from the garden centre, now I am going outside in the sunshine to plant them.

Back later. xxxxx

Two bridges at Menai

Two bridges at Menai

holidays/days out walking

Hello. Onward I went, from Caernarfon to the Menai Bridge and over to Anglesey. Once over the water I parked in a layby on the A5 half way between the two bridges. This is the Suspension Bridge. 

And this is the Britannia Bridge.

It was free parking in the layby so I abandoned the car and went for a walk. I followed the coastal footpath which was very well signposted. This is Church Island, it juts out into the water, and has a very ancient small church on it surrounded by gravestones on the steep slopes.

It was very peaceful, hardly anyone there. It has a tarmac path where you can walk across to it.

The little church is very simple and basic, nothing elaborate.

The monument at the top.

There is a massive old tree at the entrance to it, with this plaque attached to the wall below it.

Leaving the island the path goes underneath the Suspension Bridge.

I went up on top and walked across it and back again.

This is the view looking down on Menai town.

I walked further along the coastal footpath and took another route back to the car. I was on my way to Holyhead and decided to take the long route round because I had plenty of time.

Beaumaris looked like a nice place so I parked up and had a look around. It was a beautiful sunny day, very enjoyable to walk along the promenade, have a look at the castle, and watch the world go by.

 I followed the A5025 around the whole island and came to Holyhead. I came across a Travel Lodge and went in to ask for a room. Unfortunately they were full, but the nice lady at reception rang up another hotel to ask for me. They had a room so she gave me directions to find it. I was dead chuffed when I saw it, right opposite the Marina, and just where I wanted to be to begin a walk the next day. Couldn't be better. Great view.

Nice hotel, but this is where the Wifi connection was hit and miss, so I had to give up and watch telly instead. I'll show you where I walked, tomorrow.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

A visit to Portmeirion

A visit to Portmeirion

holidays/days out

Hello. I'm back at Tightwad Towers, headquarters of Life After Money. As regular readers will know, this is where I share my frugal living money saving methods, which gives me cash to spend on treats, and holidays are my treats. 

Time to catch up on where I have been. I had a list of places to visit on my North Wales tour, some of them I didn't have time to do, but never mind, another visit might happen at a later date. 

This post is all about Portmeirion, which is a delightful tourist village in Gwynedd, not far from Porthmadog. From the moment I walked through the entrance I thought WOW, this place is fabulous. 

It was built by architect Clough Williams-Ellis to show how a beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. All buildings at Portmeirion are registered Grade 1 or Grade 11 historic buildings.  The village is surrounded by 70 acres of forest gardens. Portmeirion is owned by a charity. 

The colourful entrance is a taste of what's to come. The buildings blend in well with the rugged natural rockface. 

 Every building is painted in candy colour, it looks like a giant sweetie village.

Some of these buildings are self catering cottages, there are thirteen in total sleeping from three to eight people.

Anyone for chess?

Look into a window and you will see Alice in Wonderland at the Mad Hatters tea party.

The little train does a tour of the gardens. Free to go on.

 Fantastic views from high up in the woods.

This is the Town Hall.

I just had to have an ice cream cornet, twenty flavours to choose from. The strawberry cheesecake is lovely.

This is the hotel, it's right on the edge of the water, with fabulous views over the bay.

The flowers in full bloom are beginning to drop their petals.

Deep in the wood is the Dogs Cemetery. The wooden figure has been carved with a chain saw. I found this secluded spot very emotional, thinking about Rocky.

There are lots of steps and secret pathways, it's like an enchanted wood.

This is Castell Deudraeth, a Victorian mansion which is now a hotel.

I absolutely loved Portmeirion, it's like a theme park for adults, but without the tackyness and noise. It's a land of make believe for big kids like me. If you get the chance go and see it for yourself. Check out the web site here. 

More about my North Wales trip tomorrow. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Meanqueen checking in

Meanqueen checking in

Hello. Did you think I got lost? So sorry that I have been missing, but the chuffin WiFi was rubbish in the last hotel I stayed in. So frustrating, now I have got loads of photo's to sort through which will take me into next week. 

 I made a stop off today to see John from Going Gently blog. He is a friendly chappie. Pity he was going out tonight, I would have loved to go to the pub with him. 

Anyway, I have had a smashing time, fantastic scenery, and lots of walking.

Where am I? At my friends house in Ellesmere Port, drinking beer. 

We'll catch up tomorrow. Thanks for popping in.

Toodle pip.

Looking up at Caernarfon Castle

Looking up at Caernarfon Castle

holidays/days out

Hello and Good Morning. A quickie before breakfast. I took a few snaps yesterday of Caernarfon Castle. I have never been here before and was surprised to see that it is so close to the shops, bars, and eateries. I always imagine that a castle stands high above the surrounding area, on a pedestal, but here it mingles in with every thing else. 

It's impossible to get a photo of the whole thing, so here are bits of it.

Time for brekkie, see ya later.