Tail End Charlie
Well, write it down boy ......
- Location
- In green and pleasant hills.
I don't normally post about my trips, but I noticed a thread "my bike in front of a castle" and I posted there which encouraged me to post here.
Two weeks ago I took the train to Bangor in North Wales and had a pleasant few days mooching around the area. I was camping and didn't pre-book anywhere and there was never a problem getting a space (in fact I was often the only camper).
Bangor to Caernarfon is largely along an old rail track, with some lovely views of the Menai Straits. The square in Caernarfon itself is a peaceful setting.
I dropped in on St Cybi's well in Llangybi, love little spots like this very peaceful and also a 15 cent hall - Penarth Fawr. Stopped at a site in Cricieth for two nights (only £12.50 a night). I wouldn't normally choose a site like this - it had many statics and was quite big, but I was there on a recommendation. That said, I was the only camper on a separate field, showers spotless, WiFi available and benches to eat from. Views were great too.
Next day I went to the Slate Mill near Cwm Ystradllyn. Magnificent structure, (you can walk around the inside of it) it was a complete flight of fancy really as it was only in use for 16 years. Found a lovely cafe right at the top end of the road, which was a welcome bonus.
Next went to Harlech, my favourite castle of all and added to my collection of castle guides. Right to left - current one, one from 2002, one from 1990 and one from my first visit in 1965!!
Snowdon on the left. It is a perfect castle to my eyes. The cafe in the visitor centre is very good too.
Stayed at a site opposite Portmeirion and was very tempted to walk over the estuary at low tide (I've done this before and it feels a real adventure), it's quite safe if you know what time the tides are.
Then returned to Caernarfon via Cricieth castle.
Had a surreal experience in Caernarfon - I am trying to learn Welsh and ordered my food etc in cafes in Welsh. A group came to the table beside me who were French and I ended up speaking in French to one of them. It wasn't a flowing conversation (on my part) and I suspect her English was better than my French, but it seemed to be appreciated.
All in all a superb few days away, the weather was fantastic and my new Trekology camping mat was superb. I hadn't used it before.
Now, where next?
Two weeks ago I took the train to Bangor in North Wales and had a pleasant few days mooching around the area. I was camping and didn't pre-book anywhere and there was never a problem getting a space (in fact I was often the only camper).
Bangor to Caernarfon is largely along an old rail track, with some lovely views of the Menai Straits. The square in Caernarfon itself is a peaceful setting.
I dropped in on St Cybi's well in Llangybi, love little spots like this very peaceful and also a 15 cent hall - Penarth Fawr. Stopped at a site in Cricieth for two nights (only £12.50 a night). I wouldn't normally choose a site like this - it had many statics and was quite big, but I was there on a recommendation. That said, I was the only camper on a separate field, showers spotless, WiFi available and benches to eat from. Views were great too.
Next day I went to the Slate Mill near Cwm Ystradllyn. Magnificent structure, (you can walk around the inside of it) it was a complete flight of fancy really as it was only in use for 16 years. Found a lovely cafe right at the top end of the road, which was a welcome bonus.
Next went to Harlech, my favourite castle of all and added to my collection of castle guides. Right to left - current one, one from 2002, one from 1990 and one from my first visit in 1965!!
Snowdon on the left. It is a perfect castle to my eyes. The cafe in the visitor centre is very good too.
Stayed at a site opposite Portmeirion and was very tempted to walk over the estuary at low tide (I've done this before and it feels a real adventure), it's quite safe if you know what time the tides are.
Then returned to Caernarfon via Cricieth castle.
Had a surreal experience in Caernarfon - I am trying to learn Welsh and ordered my food etc in cafes in Welsh. A group came to the table beside me who were French and I ended up speaking in French to one of them. It wasn't a flowing conversation (on my part) and I suspect her English was better than my French, but it seemed to be appreciated.
All in all a superb few days away, the weather was fantastic and my new Trekology camping mat was superb. I hadn't used it before.
Now, where next?
