United Kingdom - Wales

We spotted the yellow VW transporter, as we docked at Holyhead, so we knew our ride was there - and he was, Nick with a grin from ear to ear.  It took about 45 minute to get back to Eglwysbach (igloo-is-back) to their newly shifted into home – it was a cutie.  Dee was at work so we went and picked her up, grins and gins I think all round that night!

Dee at her workplace

The next day Dee had off work so it was off to charming Chester to do some shopping and enjoy a history lesson along the way.  It was so green and looked a lot like NZ and for that matter Ireland too.  Chester was a nice place; hopeless to find a park but really good for a bit of retail therapy – warm pj bottoms – Yay bring on winter!  It was a beautiful city with cobbled pedestrian streets and old shop fronts.  We found a good place for lunch and walked around some more.  That evening we walked the narrow country lanes to the local pub to enjoy a pint or two.  Very nice pub, we can see Nick and Dee fitting in well to the country life. We met a guy who had been to NZ; it was nice to chat about familiar places. 

Dee worked the next day and after a wee sleep in, the three of us went on a sightseeing jaunt – the beautiful Snowdonia Valley.  Firstly stopping at Dee’s old village Doddlywndad, saw the church they got married in and also walked up the hill to the Doddlywndad castle.  We drove a bit further and visited a slate factory, or quarry I guess, had a walk around there for awhile, then back into the car.

St Gwyddelan's Church - where Nick and Dee got married

At Doddlywyndad Castle

View from the top of the castle looking towards Doddlywynndad.

An inside wall

From the road - look at the weather!

Slate galore !

All I can say about Snowdonia is simply stunning!  A mix of narrow roads, rock faces, steep high hills; simply beautiful contrasts.  It would have been awesome to go on one of the walks, but no time for that.  There is also a Snowdonia Castle too - of course.

Another Welsh Pub

Looking down the Snowdonia Valley

The Ugly House -
which I thought was quite cute!

Big rocks and little rocks all forming the outer shell

How bizarre is that - the front window is almost
on the double yellow line on the side of the road!

Another gorgeous Welsh Pub

Sunset at the Great Orme

Happy times, again.

We woke to a reasonable day.  I spent the morning in the front garden pulling out some weeds.  While Murray fixed the lawn mower and Nick put some more shelves up in his man shed.  The boys then went on a tiki tour of the back streets of Igloo-is-back to find me some more blackberries to go with the apple.   They were gone for ages and I thought they must have snuck to the pub - but they hadn't - good boys!  On Monday, I got stuck in and made a roman blind for the bathroom out of an old duvet cover.  And the boys continued working in the man shed.  That afternoon we went to an auction and then into Conway for a wee drive around.  Tuesday was Dee's day off so we headed off again, them to the auction and we went to Conway, to visit the castle and town.  We didn't end up by going into the castle, but instead we walked all around the walls of the city and got some great views of the harbour and neighbourhoods.  We met up again for a late lunch and then went on a hunt for some curtain string and rings.  We found the string but not the ring!  Home for a delicious meal of lambs fry and bacon - Dee's way - absolutely delicious.

View towards the bay from the wall

Conway wall

Lunchtime at Conway

Nick and Dee outside 2 Craig Terrace

 After breakfast we said our goodbyes again, to Dee,  packed our bags, loaded into the van and Nick drove us to the station, and it was off to London for us.  What a great place Wales is, and what lovely friends we have made.  Can't wait until you come and see us in NZ one day.