Just back from a week in Wales, during which we stayed in a cottage behind the Ty Gwyn 16C coaching inn at Betws-y-Coed. For a full description of its peculiarities, see my website.
We left Norwich on Friday the 22nd – after Dot had gone for a walk with Anne – and after a lengthy diversion from the A14 because of horrendous traffic, stayed the night at the Macdonald Ansty Hall Hotel , which was in a nice position just outside Coventry. Dinner there was good, and breakfast was excellent, but Dot developed a twisted knee, which caused problems later.
The next morning we visited Andrew, who seemed anxious. After taking him for a very short walk, Dot and I went to Boots for knee support and a couple of other things. Drove to Telford Services, where we had coffee, and then to Corwen. Saw Adrian and Clarissa for a cup of tea before driving to Betws. Access to the cottage was not easy, to put it mildly. Because of Dot’s bad knee, I had to carry everything in up a steep path, including irregular steps. Bit of a challenge, though. Cottage nice in many ways. Not a very good night.
On Sunday we woke late, had breakfast and went back to bed. We then Drove to Ogden Cottage and walked up to the lake. It was damp, and chilly at times, though generally not cold. Annoyingly, I did not take my phone on the walk because it was not charging properly, and so my holiday mileage was affected. (What a disaster, I hear you say.) After a cup of tea in the cafe, we drove across the hills to Llanberis and up to the house we’d stayed in with David and the children. Then on through Llanberis pass behind an idiot driving at a maximum of 30mph, mainly less. Walkers in very windy road; so couldn’t overtake. Back in Betws bought bread, withdrew money and got petrol. Had supper in hotel. Raining quite hard. Met Blackpool couple while eating.
Much better night. Drove into Betws on the Monday and Dot got new knee support – better fit, but later on she abandoned it. Took “selfie”pix of river for two couples. Drove through Beddgelert to Criccieth. Had lunch there (mushroom omelette + excellent chips). Ate outside – very warm. Walked to pier with ice cream, then drove to Morfa Nefyn, recommended by Adrian, but cloud came in and Dot’s knee hurt, so instead of walking, we drove to Dinas Dinlle, where we’d taken children some years ago. Walked on the promenade and beach, and I climbed hill. Convoluted but interesting drive to Blaenau Festiniog to find station. Then back to Betws. Not much room to park at hotel. A5 closed. Never found out why.
Tuesday was mild but mainly cloudy. Spent morning looking round Betws y Coed (=sanctuary in the trees) and bought some tops. Went to Tourist Information and saw good film of Snowdon. Felt a bit ill, but drove to Llanberis via Bethesda and improved. Another mushroom omelette at cafe there, then took last train up Snowdon (4pm). Chilly and cloudy at top but clear most of way. Saw house we stayed in. Cost of ticket £58 for both of us. Watched some TV: Norwich won 1-0 away against Middlesbrough.
Wednesday was cooler. Rain set in before 3pm. Not a good night again. Drove to Bala. Stopped on way to climb hill / quarry, despite warning notices. Started raining on and off and quite a cool breeze near the top (1700ft). Near Bala visited Mary Jones World after tea and sandwiches. It told the story of a teenage girl who walked 26 miles to buy a Bible in Welsh, and how that led to setting up of Bible Society. (We’d received the leaflet by post in Norwich.) Quick visit to the lake afterwards, but it started raining hard and we drove back to Betws to get changed for our evening meal at Corwen, which turned out really well. Picked up Adrian and Clarissa, met Tish and Glaves at Indian. Very good meal. Saw Nigel at pub afterwards. Drove home. Raining still, but not so hard.
Thursday was dry, a bit cooler but some sun. Drove to Portmeiron and spent day there: £10 each. Guided walk, train, headland walk. Lunch – average burger, good pizza. Felt ill for while at end – very tired. Drove via Festiniog, stopped for a while. Wasted evening watching bad Musketeers film.
Bright periods and showers on Friday. Walked up path from house until we came to road on Mount Garmion. Walked a bit further then back down road to house. Started to rain as we drove through Betws: stopped in layby far side of Chapel Curig for a while, then drove back to Ugly House (very pretty) and had tea and scones. Back to house, then to Conwy Falls, where we saw salmon jumping. Drove to Llanwrst then to Chapel Garmion. Then got petrol. Ate at hotel. Watched TV and did some packing.
Today started very wet, which meant I got soaked taking everything down to the car. As we drove east the weather improved. Dot drove as far as the Services on the M6 toll, and I drove to Waitrose at Wymondham. Dot drove the rest of way. Very easy journey.