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Published: September 18th 2015
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Woolly says – Having spent several hours considering the weather and my attire for the day I decided that it was definitely time to wake Jo and ensure that I had enough food and snacks for our day out. Not being a mammoth that turns down an opportunity I had happily arranged with friend Paul for a small excursion. He needn’t have worried I was ready with enough food to feed a small army or at least my small friend. Woolly says – Having dragged all of the rucksacks and paranphaniller that Jo insists on carrying round with her down the four flights I was eager to get going. First stop of the day would be the delightful trip to the top of Consti Hill on the small funicular railway on which I have been spending many contented hours whilst Jo is at work. Please don’t tell me that he has been a stowaway! Woolly says – Hmmmm I’m sure the driver doesn’t even notice me! Arriving at the ticket office I was disappointed to find that it was yet to open for the day and being quite happy to sit and wait I was dismayed to realise that my companions were already starting the steep climb to the top…. Are they really expecting me to walk!
I would love it if he walked! Knowing however that this was unlikely I rearranged the rucksack and we could finally set off for the top. Woolly says – As Aberystwyth became smaller and smaller below us I contented myself with a small snack as Jo carried on climbing. The views were wonderful First Steps in a New Adventure and never fail to amaze me and having shown friend Paul the beacon and considered playing on the Frisbee course it seemed only polite to accept his invitation for a drink and snack in the small café perched on the top. As I slurped my hot chocolate I was eager to find out where we would be heading to next…… Having cleaned Woolly up and removed the plate of Welsh cakes he had smuggled into the rucksack we realised that the train was still not working. Woolly says – ….going down is always easier with small paws and as I led the way to the car I could barely contain my curiosity as we left the town and headed off into the Welsh countryside. Within a few minutes we seemed to have arrived and as Jo admired the views across the valley I read the information boards that told me that in 1999 Bwlch Nant yr Arian had became a red kite feeding station as part of a programme to protect the small number of red kites in the area at that time. The feeding programme definitely seems to have worked as there were plenty of kites soaring over my head. I started to investigate the wood carvings on display. A bird feeder with wooden birds, a totem pole of animals and a red kite were beautifully carved showing the wonder of the grain that had been allowed to enhance the displays. Following the pathway through the heather and bracken friend Paul was able to tell me of the different tree types and the berries on offer as I admired the purple heather and the landscape spread out in front of me. A handy bench presented itself and as we sat munching on Jo’s rather good picnic I sighed in contentment to be out and
about again.
For once the mammoth and I were in full agreement and being able to sit and appreciate a day out has now become a rare treat, unbeknown to my small companion I had further plans for the following day, well daughter Zoe had! Woolly says – The next morning dawned brightly and as the waves lapped the beach below us I joined in the wishing Jo a Hoppy Burpday and helping her to eat her pancakes before chivvying the women up so that we could start the day properly. As we strolled along Aberystwyth seafront I was hopeful that we might be considering the miniature and defiantly Woolly sized golf course as one of the activities to celebrate Jo adding another year onto her age. Alas my clubs would remain in the bag as we stood looking at the closed sign on the door. Seeing his face drop daughter Zoe and I promised him a treat later and hoping that the residents and holiday makers would be safe I took the risk of letting him continue on his skateboard. Woolly says – there is nothing better than the wind rushing past my ears as I fly along on my wheels startling the gulls and feasting pigeons that litter the prom. As I skirted the ruined castle walls I picked up speed and found myself flying along a part of the promenade that was still undiscovered by a mammoth.
I’m not actually sure why we have never gone further than the castle grounds but it was lovely to see brightly coloured houses along the harbour wall and views across the estuary. Woolly says – saying hello to the lifeboat and the crew that were cleaning it I was intrigued to find that this incredible charity had been here for the last 180 years saving lives and protecting people from the sea. Having inspected the fishy smelling lobster pots Jo and daughter Zoe sat and admired my skating skills in the sunshine seeming content to admire my handiwork. With hunger pangs starting I finally suggested that a snack might be in order and there is no better snack than an ice cream. As we wandered towards the pier I made a new discovery and having prodded Jo to get the camera out I considered the historical mosaics along the sea wall, starting with one dedicated to Owan Glyndwr who had captured the castle in 1404 they then moved on to celebrate the royal mint in 1637 before a wonderful picture of the 1644 to 1649 Civil war until finally we arrived at the last mosaic which showed a Skelton that was found in the castle in 1988, all of them where beautifully depicted but finding no more the ice cream shop beckoned.
Having removed most of the stickiness and crumbs from his ice cream cone we happily led him into the pier’s arcade and left him launching two pence’s into the machines to his heart’s content, a game of air hockey, cocktails and an Indian meal later and a very full and weary group happily headed home.
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