Oldies On Tour

It’s been all over the news and weather reports; a “yellow storm warning” coming in off the Atlantic today so our activities will no doubt be curtailed🥵🥵.  To be fair we woke and looked out on a dry day!!!!

After breakfast our hopes were dashed, just as Christine headed out of the door to walk the dogs, the rain came down; half an hour later she came back with two “drowned rats” but thanks to her new long Equestrian wax coat, she was well protected.  

Eventually we came to a decision; we’ll head out to Carnarvon or Caernarfon, (depending on your map!!), only 7.5-miles away and see if we can visit one of King Edward 1’s famous castles built in Wales, started in 1283.

Arriving in the “big” central area we tried to park as there were only a handful of parked cars and a lot of space but suddenly realised all these cars had blue badges so had to head down to the main car park down the hill by the river, and it was still raining!!  Naturally we had to pay and what a bit of luck, I actually had the correct app., 🤣 the trouble was it needed up-grading 👹, all time-consuming in the rain!!!

Back up in the big square we dived into the first nice looking cafe that allowed dogs in for a coffee, cakes and importantly, get out of the cold wind and rain.

Two coffees and teas later, the rain eased so we left and headed to the castle entrance.  Though the rain had eased the wind was cold and cutting around my legs; though I had trousers on, they were too thin, I was cold🥶🥶; Christine in her big coat was fine!!!   As we walked into the castle reception area we saw it, the dreaded sign, “only guide dogs allowed in”, now we could have left the dogs in the car, it certainly wasn’t too hot for that!!, but decided against it and walked into the narrow cobbled streets in the old part of the town within the outer castle walls.   We eventually arrived back down by the entrance of the River (Aflon Seiont) to meet the full force of the cold wind and rain coming straight in from the north.   That’s it, get in the car and head back; the dogs had had enough, I’d had enough and in the end, in-spite of her big coat, Christine had had enough.

Back in the warm and dry we had lunch then watched some very old tv programmes, before it was “walkies” time again, but by now the rain had passed away and for a few fleeting moments we had a glimmer of sunshine, yeah!!!    Celebrity Traitors is on again tonight and have to watch it, as last night we were left on cliffhanger.

Tomorrow we leave, out time is up and we are heading off to Chapel Brampton (Northamptonshire) for a weekend with Son and Family, plus take in a rugby match; Saints are at home to Serries, come on Saints🤞

Wednesday 22nd October 2025

This week the high tides are in the morning and each beach we’ve visited, has limited space for the dogs to run around due to the high waterline so today we were heading to the large “Barmouth beach”.   But first breakfast and walk the dogs.

The weather was pretty gloomy this morning, so no rush to get out but eventually hit the road around 10.30 and just after that, the rain came.   

About an hour later we arrived at the beach in Barmouth and just in time there was a pause in the rain, so Christine headed onto the beach to let the dogs have a quick run about, I hung around in the car!!!; 10-minutes later Christine was waiting to be picked up as it was raining again.

Round the corner from the beach is the “harbour” where there are several cafes etc., and outside one was one car parking slot; fate, we could buy a coffee!!   Across the estuary we also had a clear view of the famous, historic, grade ii listed, 900-metre long. wooden viaduct, built on oak pillars and opened in 1867.  It was constructed to carry the Cambrian coast, “single line”, railway across the River Mawddach and is the oldest and longest timber viaduct in the U.K. in regular use.  Today it also has a footpath and a cycle track that was added during past renovations, as well as the original single-line rail track used by the Cambrian Coast Line.

By now the sun was peeping through so we headed back to the beach car park.  Once parked we then headed over the sand dunes and onto the vast sandy beach, and at that point we didn’t see the dogs for dust; they headed straight into the sea.   At this time there was a lot of blue sky and we strolled along the beach enjoying the autumn sun whilst Tom-Tom and Rosie thoroughly went mad..

Eventually with “two wet, cold and tired pooches”, we headed back to the car and then headed back to our holiday cottage; well that was the plan, however best laid plans etc., we decided to head to the nearest beach to our cottage; Dina’s Dinlle Beach,

Following a couple of narrow single track lanes, we finally arrived at the “local” beach, parked and over the wall onto a long beach; top half stones, bottom half sand: at that moment both dogs forgot they were “two wet, cold and tired pooches” and “hared” over the stones, over the sand and straight into the sea!!!   Once we had picked our way over the stones, we strolled along the beach in the late sunshine.  We think this will be our last day with sun shining as tomorrow there a yellow storm warning that has been issued.   Eventually we turned round but couldn’t decide where we had come down onto the beach.  As we looked up towards the carpark all we could see is a long, high wall of stones!!!   Where do we go up we wondered, and then noticed my “distinctive” footprints the damp sand so tracked them backwards and came out exactly where we needed to, right next to the car!!!!

Back at the ranch we had dinner and then settled down to watch tv; the highlight tonight is “Celebrities Traitors”, and we didn’t hear a “peep” out of the dogs!!!!   Our plan for tomorrow is “wait and see”; it’s all about the weather!!!

Tuesday 21st October 2025

We’re heading to Conway today to meet up with our good friends Dave and Leisha, but not until midday, so no immediate rush.   Apart from a wake-up call around 0700hrs from Tom-Tom, a good night was had by all giving us an opportunity for a lie in.   

The dogs became restless soon after 0800hrs so Christine knew it was “walkie” time, after which we breakfasted.   We had arranged to meet at the “Erskine Arms” in Conway at 12 o’clock, a dog friendly hostelry within the old town, but knowing it would be a “Protracted” affair, we needed to exercise the dogs just before we sat down!!!   We decided a beach walk would do the job, so stopped at the “Conway Morfa Beach” just before we arrived in Conway.   We were quite surprised at the number of cars in the car park on this windy, cloudy morning, most walking their dogs as well!   There are sand dunes between the car park and the beach, the tide was in and by the time we’d got over the dunes to the beach, the dogs were already in the water; oh well they’re happy, rather them than us!

After chasing about in and out of the sea, we threw a ball in the car park to “try” and shake some of the water and sand off them before heading to the Erskine.

The Erskine Arms is a 19th Century Georgian coaching inn inside the town walls believed to be built between 1830/40’s and as expected, minimal car parking.  Fortunately there was a large car park by the nearby station and as a bonus, free; well free today as they were replacing the pay machine!!!!!

As we had the dogs we couldn’t enter the restaurant but stayed in the bar, this was no issue, we were very happy, we had a good sized table in the corner, the service was very good and the food was excellent.  The only Criticism was their rule:- “you have to pay as you order, no tabs in this bar”; unbelievable!!

Our extended lunch eventually came to an end and we said our good-byes before heading back to our respective homes; fortunately Christine had volunteered to drive back before we sat down to lunch.

Back in our holiday-home, we relaxed and other than taking the dogs out for a walk had a “TV night”; we certainly didn’t need to eat anything!!!!

Monday 20th October 2025

We’re away on holiday but unfortunately Tom-Tom hadn’t read th script, he decided he wanted to go out at 5.30am much to Christine’s disgust, I didn’t hear him!!  Anyway after his “quick” visit to the garden he was back and we all settled down again, though Christine struggled to really get back.

Looking out of the window at first light the day looked promising, and the forecast suggested rain around 4.00pm, so after breakfast and a chat with the owners, we headed out.   Our destination was “Red Wharf Bay” on Anglesey, where there was a dog friendly beach.

Our drive took us over the Menai straits over the more modern Bridge built in 1958.  The original which can be seen from the North Wales  Expressway Bridge (A55); the Menai Suspension Bridge (Pont y Borth or Pont Grog y Borth in Welsh) is a suspension bridge spanning the Menai Straits between the island of Anglesey and the mainland of Wales Designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1826, it was the world’s first major suspension bridge.  The bridge still carries road traffic and is a Grade I listed structure.

As we drove there the weather improved, a glimmer of blue sky started to appear and when we arrived at this “dog friendly” beach, it was non existent, the “blurb” we read didn’t add —- “only at low tide”. — the tide was right in!!!   Anyway we stopped for a cuppa and home made cake before heading to Beaumaris; the glimmer of sun had now grown to a large patch of sun, and by the time we reached Beaumaris, clear blue sky, well over Anglesey.  Looking back over the Menai Straits towards Snowdonia, or Eryri National Park as it’s now known (locally), we couldn’t see the tops, everything was covered with very dark and ominous clouds, probably coming our way!

Parking in the town was limited and only for a short time so we were forced to use the big car park on the sea front; flat fee, £7.50!!!!, still the tide had receded and there was some beach, albeit it was stoney but the dogs didn’t care, they went straight into the sea.  By now the sun was shining brightly and was warm as well as we now headed into the Main Street.

Beaumaris is a pretty little place at the head of the Menai straits that boasts a famous castle, well the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece.   We looked from the outside but decided not to visit it today, maybe on the next visit.

We wandered the length of the Main Street but apart from a visit to a chemist, a pie and a pint, we headed back to the beach and with the tide out, the dogs had more space to run about.

Christine took the wheel and drove the car for the first time and took to it like a duck to water.

Back at our cottage and after a cuppa, we donned our boots and headed out with the dogs.  What a good choice this place is, perfect for dogs, comfortable and quite central for visiting this part of Wales.   Tomorrow we head to Conway to meet up with Dave and Leisha for lunch.

Sunday 19th October 2025

The day started with a hearty breakfast at the Sidcot Arms Hotel with Martin and Julie, they stayed there last night.  With all that’s going on at home; no bathroom etc, all we could offer was dinner!!!

Today we are off to Snowdonia where we have rented “something” deep in the countryside, part of an old mill; hopefully we won’t be disappointed!!!

Friday afternoon I changed my car and today is the first time I’ve had to get acquainted with it, normally this would not take long but I’ve gone “green” well partially, I’ve gone for a hybrid and every single control is via a “screen”; my goodness how on earth am I going to manage to remember what to press or when to scroll etc., and that’s besides getting to grips with electric and when the engine kicks in.   Yesterday I also had a shock when I tried my cruise control, the car drove itself, took over the steering, What????   I headed back to the dealership to see if I could stop this function, they laughed but switched it off; thank goodness, I like driving!!!!  The other strange feeling was filling up with petrol, I have been driving diesel cars for the past 30-years.

I digress.   After saying our “good-byes” we headed off and hit the M5 and the first thing once we got up to speed was switch on the cruise control only to find that whatever speed I set it on, it would always bring the speed down to the speed limit, unbelievable, and as it came up on a slower car it reduced automatically and though I knew it had this particular feature, this was the first time I’d experienced it.  When I pulled out it went back up to 70MPH.

The weather today was miserable, one of those days, dull due to very low clouds and continuous drizzle, typical, after weeks of good weather we chose the first week of real autumn to have a break. We were looking forward to our drive up through the centre of Wales through stunning countryside but alas we saw nothing other than rain and and leaves on the road.  The only good things today were that only essential journeys were being taken, the roads were reasonably empty and the change in the weather highlighted the autumn colours.   

We weren’t looking forward to unpacking the car in this weather as no doubt at our “out-of-the-way hideout” we wouldn’t be able to get the car to the front door!!  As we left the main road and headed down the side road, miraculously the rain stopped and there was a break in the cloud then as we left the side road and headed along a rather long farm track, the sun came out, wow someone was looking after us!!!!!   

At the end of the track we came across this big old renovated watermill, our home for the next five nights, and as expected the car parking area was at the bottom of the hill.  The instructions told us to walk back up the hill, in through a small gate then back down the steps, our “cottage” turns out to be an “apartment”; half of the ground floor but right opposite the garden, very handy for the dogs.   Thank goodness the sun was out during this time.

Once installed we headed out to give the dogs the exercise they needed after four hours cooped up in the car, though they do have more room now than the last car.   

Up the steps, then back down the hill to the other side of the mill, naturally besides running water where there is a wooden bridge leading through to some woods and into a field, perfect for the dogs and us.    They did their “business” and a lot of “running about” chasing the ball  before we headed back for something to eat and a quiet evening watching the US Grand Prix, followed by an early night.   Naturally we were tired after the four-hour drive, but also due to last night; Martin and Julie joined use for dinner and the wine flowed; say no more!!!!!