Wales-the Amazing Race-- Team Daf, Katy, Jenn

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Helo again-- apologies that these are both being written on the same day--having way too much fun!
Tuesday began the big welsh roadtrip to North Wales. Daf had it all figured out and we packed into his blue vauxhall and headed north. Starting early (8a.m.), I know Dad, it's hard to believe I rose that early, we drove to Machynlleth where we paused for beautiful photos of the estuary out to sea. Next we headed to Dolgellau and then over to Harlech to see the 12th century Norman castle that casts its shadow high on a mount above the town. Dad, there is the Royal St. David's golf course, named and created for you here. We walked around Harlech but didn't go into the castle. We then headed to the coast and when to Porthmadog and east to Beddgelert. The story there is that the town in English is Gellert's grave. In the 12th century the king went out to do his business and left his dog to take care of his baby son. He came back to find the child's cradle overturned, him no where to be seen and a lot of blood. In his rage he killed the dog for not having taken care of the baby. He later discovered that there had been a wolf who had attacked and that the dog had saved the baby's life. We got to see Gellert's grave and right at the base of the gravestone is a little hand-drawn card made by a little child--the sweet thing is that the dog has been dead for over 700 years and the mourning for this pet is still alive. In addition to seeing the grave we tasted home made ice cream from an award-winning shop. Yummy

Back on the road, we headed north again to Snowdonia National Park to see some of the most beautiful mountain and valley views I have ever seen. It appeared as if the landscape was a backdrop to a movie that we happened to be starring in. The photographs won't begin to do it justice. We got all the way up to Mt. Snowdon the highest peak for photographs etc. Lunch of jacket potates was eaten at Pete's Eats in Llenbaris. We then visited the slate mine museum. It was fascinating to see how the slate had been removed from the landscape and then processed into small pieces for roofing etc. Although the mine has been closed since 1969, it is a very active and FREE museum that has informative displays and interactive presentations. A miner named Dafydd, not our friend, split some slate and showed us how they work with it. Fascinating!

In late afternoon we drove to Caenarfon to the Castell Caenarfon- a very complete castle, also norman. Again a fantastic example of how history has been preserved. We were due at Bangor at Daf's parents house for dinner but before that we headed over to Anglesey to the train station in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll... which is really only half of its full name. The town has the longest name in the UK (world even). Neat to see that at the train station too... for all the shopkeepers in the town it would be so costly for them to have to get their signs printed with such a long name with so many consonants.

Dinner at Daf's was a delight complete with welsh eggs, lamb burgers, sausage rolls, beets, salads etc. A traditional welsh affair. It was great to meet the rest of the Tudur family. Their hospitality was so awesome. After dessert we headed back the long road to Aberystwyth. A fantastic road trip... all over the north. A highlight!!!!!!!

Wednesday morning Daf had to work on location in Cardigan digitizing images at a heritage centre, so Jenn and I went along for the ride and went off exploring the town. We walked the Cardigan Trail to all the sights and through the streets. Amazing to people watch along High Street, see all the local shops. We ate scones and panad (tea) and enjoyed wandering the streets. In the afternoon we went to the heritage centre to see a local display of Cardigan's history-very nice.

Elin, Daf's fiance met up with us after work and we toured around her community near Mwnt and Gwbert and Penparc. We saw the old church at Mwnt and where most of her family was born/lives. We met Elin's grandmother and went to pick fantastic blackberries in the bush in glass jars... yummy. Dinner was served at Elin's parents and we had another welsh dish, cawl---like stew and were treated to blackberry crisp. Awesome. Elin entertained us on her harp before we headed hold. Fantastic to meet her family too.

Back at Daf's we had some homemade apricot wine and jammed with guitars-singing Simon and Garfunkel, Richard Marx and others.... a great chance to hang out together as friends... and then off for a long sleep.

There is no place in Wales that isn't beautiful. The views, the people's generosity and kindness has left an incredible impression on Jenn and I. It will be hard to leave tomorrow, but we have had a fantastic visit. We are off to south today to explore.

love you all.
Wish you could see all this. Got lots of photos to share later.

Tomorrow morning back to London, off to France.

A bientot.

Katy (Jenn and Daf)

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Comments

[emma]

I know....
you know how you wanted to know what souvenir I wanted? Bring me a SHEEP!!!!