Anglesey and N.Wales

numberplease · Anglesey and N.Wales

Having just returned from 2 weeks staying on the island of Anglesey, and having visited N.Wales several times over the years, I can highly recommend the area, although it doesn`t take long to exhaust Anglesey itself, unless you have young kiddies who just want the beach and their buckets and spades.
Therefore, we spent a fair bit of time on the mainland, re-visiting some of our old favourites, and also finding new places to see.
One day we took a drive down the Lleyn Peninsula, through Trefor and Nefyn, heading for Morfa Nefyn, a place we hadn`t been to before, and we weren`t disappointed. The coastal scenery along the way was lovely, and when we arrived at our destination it was breathtakingly beautiful! Added to that the fact that it was a beautiful sunny day made it just perfect. Our journey back was along the bottom coast of the peninsula, through Pwllheli, not a place I`m very fond of, then pretty Criccieth with it`s castle on the clifftop, then inland through quaint, but busy, Beddgelert, then on through the Llanberis pass, an old favourite, and awesome. Then on to Caernarfon, and then to the Menai Bridge and back onto Anglesey. A brilliant day out.
We also paid our usual visit to Betws-y-Coed, a place where we`ve never seen rain, although with things so green it must rain a fair bit! We`re no longer fit enough to walk up to the waterfalls anymore, which is a pity, but the village is a pleasure to visit, and I love browsing round the few shops there.
On Anglesey itself, we enjoyed our visit to Beaumaris, also we went to the Anglesey Sea Zoo, where I saw something that I thought was a nice touch for dog owners. Instead of having to leave dogs in cars, which regrettably a lot of people still do, there were some pens at the side of the car park, in the shade of the trees, with bowls of fresh water available, where dogs could be left in safety whilst their owners were inside. We then went on to the Anglesey Model Village, not highly recommended, took us all of 10 minutes to see it all!
The village of Moelfre is a really pretty place, as is Cemaes Bay in the north of the island, we had a lovely meal in a pub there, but can`t remember the name opf the pub, it`s at the top of the hill as you walk up from the harbour, and is painted blue.
Amlwch isn`t very striking, but has an interesting harbour, from where copper used to be exported, and a bay nearby, Bull Bay, is a gorgeous place for a beach holiday. We had a nice snack meal at the Bull Bay Hotel, a bit on the shabby side, but lovely views from there, as it`s at the top of a hill.
Our caravan site was OK, www.capelelen.com but I think we were spoiled by the site we were on in Scotland last year, this one wasn`t near enough to the sea, (about a quarter of a mile), and although nicely kept and well manicured, the feeling wasn`t there I`m afraid.

Moelfre, Beaumaris Castle, Number Please!, Morfa Nefyn, and the awesome beauty of Snowdonia.

tonyW

Hi Numberplease.

Nice pics. I share your love of that part of the country and find it very refreshing every time we have been to the N.Wales area.

I especially like the vale of Llangollen where I have Kayaked a few times, Bala reservoir a bit further over and the Loggerheads country Park. (Been abseiling & climbing in Devils Gorge)

NW Wales gets even better getting up into Snowdonia and over to Devils Bridge with a superb route home for us dropping down through the Elan Valley.

We have also had a marvellous time in Cardigan Bay watching & photographing seals and bottle-nosed dolphins.

West, Mid and North Wales are great but have to say my experience of South Wales has left something to be desired!

numberplease

Hi Tony, we were going to go to S.Wales for a change, having never been, apart from Tenby area, but changed our minds. Never been to Llangollen, but agree about the beauty of Lake Bala, took some lovely pics there a few years ago, but they`re not on the computer.

tonyW

Well Number, I don`t like to write off a whole area because of an isolated incident but in three visits to S Wales I have had three stone-wall receptions...downright anti-English.

Anywhere from Brecon upwards (done a fair bit of climbing & walking around there) and to the West have always been easy going and generally friendly. OK, any small village anywhere in the UK or abroad tend to be more `reserved` but I am easy to get along with and go out of my way to be friendly and interested in local heritage etc.

In Yorkshire, Scotland or the West Country I have had the `piano player stopped playing` when I walk into a local pub and open my southern gob but after a friendly chat they will warm to me.

I usually ask about what the `real` local speciality is as I dont want the grockle rubbish and ask what they think I should see/do to experience what the real locality is like etc.

All interspersed with admiration for such a lovely area and so forth...and I mean sincerely, not just waffle, but after being actively ignored at bars for ages and ages then blatently being told they don`t like the English coming over here...then switching to Welsh speaking after they had been speaking English when we came in...you get the message in the end!

I am sure there are lots of lovely and friendly people in S Wales but I didn`t bump into any of them!

Good luck!

hilda

loverly pics lois

that sea is soooooooooooo blue,,,,,,,,, i love it there,,,,,,,,,,

sunbear

Never noticed South Wales to be like that and I live here. Folks much more friendly than they are up North, never had them switch to Welsh in front of me (probably cos most South Waliens can't speak the Welsh) which I have up north.

Just had friends down and they have been extolling South Wales virtues having been round the excellent Welsh Folk Museum and down Cardiff Bay, followed by a day of walking in waterfall country near Pontneddfechan. Theres some splendid country and beaches in Wales

hilda

went to the weslh museum, couldnt believe it was FREE to get in,,,, i love places that take you back in time, didtn they film Dr Who there?? i recognised the shops part in it

sunbear

Spot on Hilda....fantastic day out for Free (well apart from £2.50 for car park). Yep they have filmed Dr. Who in there and all over Cardiff.

Must get the boots cleaned and maybe try a weekend up north wales it looks great in those photos.

tonyW

Sunbear, I am honestly not disrespecting the people of S Wales...anywhere has good and bad.

I must have just gone into the wrong places...mind you, I do try to get off the beaten track wherever I go so maybe it was just a `village `attitude.

I know a couple of local pubs around here who are `anti American` and we are an area that is full of tourists so I suppose an American could have had an experience like mine.

nickmacuk

Nice pics numbers. With regards to the North/South Wales debate I think you will find good and bad in both places the touble tends to be if the first contact is bad it puts you on guard and colours your thinking.

medot

omg numberplease what fantastic pictures.

our first holiday together...was in saunderfoot..near tenby...i've always loved wales ever since....north,south in the middle...wales..love it...and the VOICE.....woooooo!!

tonyW

Nick, there is probably an element of truth in that...after the first one I half expected the second then was not at all surprised at the third.

They beat me into submission....so now I spend my dirty English money somewhere else!

They certainly showed me didn`t they!

ps One of the places was near Ogmore Castle with the ford and stepping stones. Just up the road is a pub in Merthyr Mawr. When we went in there were 4 people at the bar, two of whom had not been served.

I smiled and said hi....first mistake I think...all 4 customers and the barman looked at us blankly, paused then restarted their conversation but this time in Welsh with laughs that were unmistakably mocking.

I waited...and waited long after the 2 had been served. eventually I asked if they were still serving food as 3 locals came in. They obviously knew each other as the new ones greeted them in English to which they got a reply in Welsh then continued to speak in Welsh.

We were still being ignored and he served the new blokes with more guffawling laughter.

My blood was now boiling but I kept cool and asked again politely.

Julie had by then sat down in a window seat near to an elderly couple with a dog and got into converstation with them & stroking the dog.

That gentleman appeared behind me and said, in English, something to the effect of `Will you just serve this man` firmly to the bartender.

He then did and managed to squeeze out a very thin smile.

Chatting with the elderly gent we found out that he was a retired local policeman of many years standing locally and he had seen exactly what I have just outlined. He would not tell me what they had said in Welsh but did apologise on there behalf because he was embarassed by it.

We just had a drink and I did say that I had changed my mind about food as I didn`t feel comfortable enough now to eat it.

The old couple were great and told us about the castle, suggested other sites and so forth.

2 out of six people in one little pub were good...not a great batting average.

I will not bore you with other 2 incidents but could write a book on the great receptions, friendly chats and warm `goodnights` we have had throughout the rest of Wales. llangollen, Brecon, Bala, Devils Bridge, Cardigan Bay and many places in between. OK, there is always the odd miserable sod anywhere you go but they are usually in the minority.

Perhaps you can see why I have such a negative expectation of the South from my personal experiences!

Maybe they can sense that I don`t like Rugby! Or perhaps they have had bad experiences with English `fans`...whatever the reason, ther are a million other places where I feel welcome...at least when I am spending money!

Suzyq

Lois what beautiful photos..I am so glad you had a nice holiday...I didn't realise you were going to be so close to me...you were so lucky to have good weather too..I feel so lucky to be living in such a beautiful part of the country.

nickmacuk

numberplease

Where are you Suzy?

GoldenChippie

Lol its so funny having someone describe their holiday to somewhere we go for a runout for breakfast!!

we go to Betws-y-Coed for brekki regularly!!! the cafe by the station!

Suzyq

I am just up from Rhos on Sea....when you live in a beautiful area..it is only when other people comment..and then you realise,how much you take it for granted...

Gail..you go to Betys y coed for breakfast..!!!!!!!!!...

numberplease

Gail, we always use the cafe by the station at Betws-y-Coed, the food`s great, but it`s a fair trek for breakfast!
Suzy, I like Rhos on Sea, but not too keen on Colwyn Bay itself, it isn`t as nice as when we first went there over 30 years ago. The bottom end, though, is really much nicer. A couple of years ago we stayed on a caravan site at Llandulas, Bron-y-Wendon, that`s where my avatar pic was taken.

GoldenChippie

yeah get up - get on bike - hour or so later get your brekki!!!!

numberplease

And no indigestion?

Suzyq

Colwyn Bay has gone downhill..I have only been up here 7 years..so I really did'nt know what it was like before....I actually live in Penrhyn Bay..going towards Llandudno.......sun is shining today and the sea is that beautiful blue..

numberplease

Stop it! You`re making me want to come back! We went into Llandudno one day, I was hoping to go up in the cable car up the Great Orme, but hubby wanted to get going, so I had to go without.

Suzyq

the views are beautiful at the top.......you know you can drive too the top..all around the Happy Valley...and you come out at West shore...If I had realised you had been so close we could have met you....if ever you are this way again..I will take you up to the Orme..

numberplease

You`re on!

Suzyq

Look forward to that Lois..

GoldenChippie

lol i thought i posted again in this yesterday? im going mad!

ok wheres this then?

hilda

i love that area prob cos me parents had a static in prestatyn........ ok so rhyl wasnt the best but it was close, the kids had a whale on the beach, and everyso often wed go into llandudno and colwyn bay and onto conway for the best fish and chips on the harbour,,,,, then a quick shufty round the caslt walls,,,,,, and back to me mum in the van,,,, who was by 5 at the sherry

vonny

Lovely pics Number!!
ive been to Prestatyn holiday park 5 yrs ago was great
never been anywhere else in Wales

Gail thats Liverpool, the beach you go to with Sammy?

GoldenChippie

no its criccth where number went!

madsue

Brilliant pics number, and great report!!!! Thanks I really enjoyed reading about your hols

numberplease

Sue, you`re back! Aw Gail, I was going to say Criccieth, but I was too late getting on here. It`s a pretty place, but a bit of a pull up that hill to the castle these days!

numberplease

OK Gail, where`s this then?

GoldenChippie

well somewhere on Anglesey i reckon? not too sure lol

numberplease

It`s Aberdaron, down near the end of the Lleyn Peninsula, a few miles from Pwllheli. We`d never heard of the place, thought we were going to the back of beyond, and though it`s only a tiny place, there were loads of people there!