Blogs from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe

I had originally scheduled my tour of Ireland to precede the tour of Wales; however, the Ireland tour provider informed me that the eight days of the 2022 Galway Races would coincide with my tour of Ireland. It was suggested I move my tour one week in either direction from my original dates for a less chaotic, more pleasurable experience. The last thing I wanted to contend with in various Irish attractions and restaurants was a long waiting line, so I request a flip-flop with the folks from Rabbie's Tours. That request was granted, so Wales, home to many of my maternal ancestors, got moved forward on the itinerary. From Rabbie's Tours, “Introduction – Wales is an intriguing place. Somehow this small country has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Europe. Amazingly, 20% ... read more

Woolly says - I'm never one for missing an opportunity and having heard Jo discussing my former temporary home town of Aberystwyth I began packing in earnest. With the weather in the UK exceeding all known temperatures and realising that it could change at any moment I made sure to pack for all forms of weather including snow....you can never be to careful in my book. With the day fast approaching I added my sun hat and raincoat to my pile for good measure and set about checking the route. He seemed to think he was going for a year with the quantity or belongings and having sent him off to choose his snacks for the journey I repacked his bag shaking my head over the six rocks that he had in there and the guitar ... read more

Woolly says – as the train started to pull out of the station I sat looking quizzically at Jo and her fumbles. As a torn up carrier bag and strips of card appeared followed by one sock instead of the usual two I really had to wonder at my idea to take her out for the day. It might have looked odd but having a developed a hole in the bottom of my trainer the previous day I was onto emergency measures and unlike the mammoth find it difficult to find people willing to carry me around! Woolly says – Of course people carry me around ….I’m cute! Once the makeshift cobbling had concluded and we were the proud owners of one wet sock I thought it time to start Jo’s education on our day’s excursion. ... read more

Undaunted by the cold, Woolly and I sat waiting patiently for friend Paul to collect us, well I sat patiently. Woolly says – How can she expect me to be patient when new and undiscovered castles are out there for the intrepid mammoth to find. Having tapped my paw endlessly and been told off, then sang before being told to stop terrorising the local population I was just getting ready to start stalking the gull inhabitants when our friend arrived. Our destination Carmarthen and a new and exciting area of Wales that neither Jo nor I had been into before. As we drove through the lovely country lanes I tried working out the meanings of the Welsh town names with the help of my friend who being born and bred speaks fluent Welsh and was able ... read more

Woolly says – I was up early, actually I’m up early every morning now with the cries of the gulls and the tide pounding the beach, I tried moaning about the interference in my sleep patterns but no one seemed to care or do anything about it! I’m not sure what he would like me to do about the noises of nature, shoot the gulls! Stop the tides! Woolly says – well she could at least try. Today though promised to be a treat, an outing just for me…. Well ok for Jo as well and for once we were on common ground in our liking for the day’s activity. Having checked the view from our garret window I pulled on my hoodie and mam o’shanter and was ready for anything, having then been hustled into ... read more