Wales Archives - Page 2 of 3

Portmeirion Clough Williams Ellis and The Prisoner

Posted on November 25, 2021 by SteveNovember 21, 2022

22nd November 2021 – 25th November 2021

We visited Portmeirion, taking our longest trip to date in the Polestar. En route we stopped at Oswestry to recharge and have a snack. Though we could have made the whole trip to Portmeirion, we would have been empty on arrival. Rapid charging in North Wales seems to be virtually non-existent. The drive was excellent, and we arrived in dry weather. Our four nights and days were fabulous. The weather was mainly dry with bright sunshine, though we did have the odd shower. The bright sun, and recent rain showers made for some dramatic photographs.

As is usual we stayed in a village room (we have yet to stay in the same room twice) and ate breakfast and dinner in the main hotel. Due to Covid restrictions, or was it the time of year, many of the small cafes in the village were closed and we were stuck for lunches.

The dinners in the hotel were excellent, I have pictures of most of our meals. Rosemary missed me eating my last dessert, which must have been frozen with liquid nitrogen. Apparently, I looked like a fire breathing dragon, with jets of water vapour blowing out of my nose.

We did our usual walks around the grounds. One thought confused us, the tour of the tree specimens. We had our guide to the trees but could not make the trees coincide with the guide. Turned out the specimen walk had been changed, and there was a new guide.

Steam Dreams from Milton Keynes to Holyhead

Posted on June 6, 2019 by SteveJune 19, 2019

We took an extravagant trip from Milton Keynes to Holyhead and back again. We had to be waiting on platform 3 at Milton Keynes at 7.20. We dutifully arrived early, leaving us time for a coffee in the Costa, while train-spotter spotting. Yes, you could spot them a mile off.

Waved our piece of paper at the barrier, and were sent on to platform 3, which became quite crowded. The heritage diesel engine, a class 47, arrived promptly on-time. We boarded and sat in our Pulman carriage. Champagne to welcome us. Rather decadent at that time in the morning. Then came muesli with yoghurt & fruit, a small Danish pastry washed down with coffee & orange juice. Full English breakfast was then served, so we merrily made our way to Crewe chomping our way through sausages and bacon.

We stopped at Rugby and Lichfield Trent, picking up more passengers. At Crewe, we had a 40-minute wait while the diesel engine was replaced by our steam locomotive – 45690 Leander. The switch was relatively quick, it was a question of waiting for space on the line for the engines to swap over.

Off we went again, stopping at Chester, and then a longish stop at Llandudno Junction where the engine was filled with water from a fire brigade bowser. At this station, a number of people departed to look at a National Trust property & gardens. They would be picked up on the way back. We stayed on the train for the final destination of Holyhead. We crossed the Menai Straights and passed through Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch station. I missed getting a picture of the sign as we passed through on the outward journey. Succeeded on the way back. R noticed how some cows and sheep and even horses, started running at the sound of a steam train. She also told me the wildflowers were lovely, unlike the caravan parks. Some fabulous coastal scenery. R v pleased to see Rhosneigr, where she had gone on holiday many years ago with her aunt, uncle & cousins.

At Holyhead, we stopped for about 2 and a 1/2 hours. Time for a walk around, a visit to the shops and a quest to find a pub for some drinks. The town seemed a bit run down, but plenty of charity shops so R came away with quite a few purchases, books, glasses & a smart top. The pub, the best thing going I thought, was remarkably cheap. The most spectacular piece of engineering we saw in the town was the footbridge from the port to the town. Built apparently to entice travellers into the town centre. Should have a portcullis to trap visitors in the town.

We re-boarded the train. The engine was now at the other end, pointing in the correct direction. The train had been several miles down the track to a place where the engine could turn around, at a siding said to have been used during the transport of nuclear waste. We set off back to Milton Keynes. Managed to snap Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch as we passed through. Stopped at Llandudno Junction again for more water. We now ate our way back to Milton Keynes, starting with canapes & finishing with cheese and biscuits. changing engines again at Crewe.

Took a picture of one of the passengers, he was wearing an American T-shirt with the word “ferroequinologist” and its definition. Ferroequinologist = train spotter.

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Welsh Shoot

Posted on April 29, 2019 by SteveMay 27, 2019

At the weekend we were having our annual shoot against the Welsh. Instead of driving down, shooting and driving home, we decided to stay a few days in Wales. So today we set off to St David’s in Morrison the VW T5 and camp a few days in Wales. It was around a five-hour drive to St David’s where we camped in the Glan-y-mor Camp Site. We had pre-booked and we never did see the owners. The site was open and a few others were there as well. Once set up, a walk down to the sea. It was quite windy today, and the forecast for the night and next day was even more wind as storm Hannah was arriving. There is plenty of walking along the coastal paths here.

The night was windy, we did not put up the van roof, and still, the van was rocked by the gusts of wind. In the morning we walked into the city of St David’s. We, of course, visited the Cathedral and ate lunch in a local pub. In the evening I walked along the coast to a point and photographed Ramsey Island which just appears beyond St David’s

On Saturday we headed back towards St Bride’s Major for the Sunday shoot. We first visited the Melin Tregwynt Mill. Here they weave fabrics. I am not technical about fabrics, but R says they are wonderful and have a different pattern on each side, due to the clever weaving. The Mill was not in operation at the weekend, but we were able to walk through the mill and see the looms sitting there. There was a nice cafe and shop there. R should have bought herself a woollen pullover, she would need it in a few days when we were in France. Interestingly to note that the wool itself does not come from Wales!

We headed on, making a detour to see the castle at Carmarthen, not much of a castle. I was very disappointed, and then it transpired I was expecting the castle where Prince Charles was made Prince of Wales. But that was Caernarfon castle. Oh dear!

We headed on and arrived at the Heritage Coast Campsite at Monknash. This campsite, despite the low season, had a restaurant and bar. We made use of the bar where they had a reasonable selection of craft beers. Apparently, locals used the bar and restaurant despite a well-stocked pub 200 yards up the road.

We walked down to the coast. This was along a narrow road, and then down the side of a stream to the coast. The rocks on the shore were fabulous, large and flat. The light was good, despite the storm, with a brilliant blue sky. There were some excellent breaking waves and Oystercatchers feeding on the rocks. The walk back took us through a field with lots of horses. These were all huddled over one side of the field attempting to keep out of the wind.

The next day was shooting at St Bride’s Major. We met up in the car park of a pub in St Bride’s Major and drove to the quarry. R terrified I would damage Morrison as we drove up the road to it. Then it was back to the Star Inn in Wick for lunch. I dropped R off and drove to the campsite and walked back to the pub. Amazingly we had won this round of the shoot. The first time ever.

In the morning we drove home, stopping off at Penarth for R to reminisce about her early childhood. We walked on the pier and had coffee there. We drove along the road she had lived on but she failed to recognise the house. (Later we learnt from her brother Steve, just what we’d missed.)

Morrison visits Wales

Posted on May 24, 2018 by SteveJune 19, 2018

Coots

Another predicted warm week, so we were away again by 10 in the morning to drive to Wales to one of our favourite campsites, Fforest Fields. We arrived by 13.00 on the Monday and checked-in. The rest of the day was spent relaxing in the sun and walking around the larger pond trying to photograph some wild life. There were damselflies and Four Spotted Chaser dragonflies in evidence. The pond also has the largest number of tadpoles I have ever seen in my life.

In the evening we were entertained by a couple of Paramotors who performed some aerobatics over the field and even the pond. It was quite spectacular.

Yes, this was a relaxing away stay, because on Tuesday we wandered about the pond again, and around the campsite grounds and woods.

On Wednesday we headed into Hundred House for lunch at the Hundred House Inn. The path crosses some fields and goes through various woods with ponds and ditches alongside. We noticed that this time the fairies have installed at least one window in one of their woodland homes. The fields were in uproar as sheep were being moved around. They are definitely very noisy when they are disturbed and herded. We had hoped to see other odonata on the walk. It seemed to be damselflies and not a lot more. Though we did spy a few banded demoiselle.

Ate at the Hundred House Inn, good basic pub fare and beer. Wish they would import some Adnams.

Rosemary found some crosswort(a weed) near our pitch and proceeded to tell George, the campsite owner, so he could note it down for their next botanical inspection.

In the evening we tried out the bat detector. Not a single squeak. We were though entertained by wagtails performing their mating dances. I had earlier been confused by a bird fluttering around, it seemed to fly more like a New Zealand fantail than a native UK bird. Turned out it was a wagtail.

Thursday our time was up, and we headed back. First tried Builth Wells, but could not park. Their parking machines have not gone cashless yet ☹. So next we went to Bettws where R had spotted a nice house on Rightmove. Not sure we found it, but she did decide it might not be the best place to move to at our age. The roads were steep, narrow and probably impassable in winter.

A stop at Shobdon to look at the St John Church, and the arches which had been removed from the church and erected elsewhere. Nope, we never did find the arches, and the Church, though accessible, is on private land. The church is very white inside with white painted pews; v Strawberry Hill-like (I am told). There was meant to be a visitor centre, but that too eluded us.

It was then on home again, with a quick stop at Starbucks where we crossed the A49. We had used the place as a loo break before, and this was no exception.

Campsite lake. You can swim or kayak in it

The crows nest look out, new addition to Fforest Fields

Campsite shower block well decorated with live floweres

The campsite owners checking out their fiefdom

Fforest Fields and Croft Castle

Posted on July 21, 2017 by SteveApril 26, 2023

We decided to visit Fforest Fields again, after our March trip had been curtailed by the rain. Monday we set off in sunshine and arrived at Fforest Fields in sunshine. Yes, it was warm even enough for people to swim in the lake and take out canoes. It was also warm enough for Dragonflies and the hundreds of Azure Damselfly sitting in the reeds. Despite the swimmers, and dog in the lake, there were Coots, Moorhens and Ducks with their broods swimming at the other end.

Soon Van the Van was parked, and after a struggle, the pod was inflated and attached. I have issues with positioning the pod, this time it was far too close to the van. I should have driven off and driven back a foot further away from the pod and re-attached. Dinner sorted, we were happy campers sitting out in the evening sun watching the House Martins & Swallows.

Tuesday morning we decided on an epic walk to the Seven Stars in the River Wye valley. Unfortunately the campsite had run out of copies of their map, added to which they were not sure if the pub was open because there was a rumour that the actual licensee, had walked out the day before. We decided to set off, we walked up the hill and on the path leading across the ridge. Mixture of bracken, rough grass and (what R calls) winberries. Nothing could possibly go wrong, but, of course, it did. We alas went the wrong side of a marker, came across a fortress of a farm, where the only way through was down a terribly steep hill to the road with no guarantee of access. We decided to give up and retrace our steps. I took a detour and did find the gate which would have taken us on the correct course. We did not continue to the pub, it would have been closed by the time we reached it, anyway. The walk back was tiring, it was hot, we had done more than eight miles and had not taken water with us, expecting to find a pub at the end. Water bottles have been added to Van the Van‘s inventory.

Back at the campsite we bought a few bottles of, what proved to be very good, Welsh lager & beer. There were now a hundred copies of the map to the Seven Stars, and we were also informed that Will (one son) had gone out to paint a big arrow at the place where we had gone wrong.

Wednesday we decided on a short walk to the local Hundred House pun for lunch. The walk took us through the enchanted wood. The chickens and turkeys were still at the house where we exit to path onto the road. (Interestingly the turkeys had disappeared when we retraced our route after lunch. Rosemary suspected a turkey burger stall at the Royal Welsh Show next week.) We arrived at the pub before twelve, bought some beer and order our lunch. Outside where a couple of riders and their horses. They were doing a circular trip from Hay-on-Wye. They left after one horse destroyed a wind vane and shat outside the garden gate. The two horses and their riders were replaced with another six horses who I think were part of the same group as the other two riders.

After an enjoyable and good value lunch we walked back, but this time going by way of Telephone Mast Hill.

Thursday was spent lazing around the campsite examining the ponds in greater detail and watching the Final Cut of Blade Runner on DVD, and the making of Blade Runner. The making of Blade Runner DVD was more than three hours long! Before we started anything, we took down the pod in the dry, tomorrow our leaving day was forecast to be wet.

Friday the predicted rain had arrived and we packed away and left. The further east we drove, the drier it became. We stopped off at a National Trust house called Croft Castle. Croft Castle was one of many old homes that were nearly destroyed in the ’50s, and saved by the National Trust. Some of the home is still lived in by the Croft family. This house stands in a 1500 acre estate, and has numerous walks. I chose the one which took me to the highest point where there is an Iron age fort. This walk took me through various landscapes of grass, mixed woodland and bracken. Well worth the walk, and the rain just about held off. Lunch and tea were at the National Trust cafe.

Fforest Fields Campsite, on the hill above the site

Fforest Fields Campsite, evening beer time

National Trust, Croft Castle walk to the Iron Age Hill Fort

Fforest Fields Campsite, Hundred House

Posted on March 18, 2017 by SteveAugust 27, 2018

Our second campervan trip was to Fforest Fields in Hundred House. This was the campsite where I had stayed when I learnt to paraglide at least seventeen years ago. The same family own the site, though they no longer teach paragliding. The site has improved immensely since I was last there. Large ponds have been dug which you can swim in. The shower block is magnificent with under floor heating all run from a log burner and a huge store of hot water. We arrived and were met by owner George. We set up camp for the night.

The following day we went for a brief walk on the hills above the campsite. The Welsh weather brought a drizzle, but not enough to destroy the walk. In the afternoon we drove over to Llandrindod Wells to visit Tesco to buy some food. The route we took was over the hills along some very narrow roads and cattle grates. That night it rained heavily.

Sunday the weather had eased off, so we walked over to the pub at Hundred House. This was a lovely walk along a stream, through woods. The walk back was by a different route which took us over higher ground. The pub was good, lovely big roast lunch with proper meat that had been carved off a joint, and good value.

Monday came, pouring with rain, forecast more rain, so we called it a day and drove home.

Fforest fields Campsite in Hundred House, pond walk

Fforest fields Campsite in Hundred House, ???? nest

Fforest fields Campsite in Hundred House, walk

Fforest fields Campsite in Hundred House and Glamping

Fforest fields Campsite in Hundred House pond

Fforest fields Campsite in Hundred House, frog around the shower block in winter

Portmeirion Village a weekday break in Wales 2nd – 4th February 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 by SteveAugust 28, 2018

Rosemary and I travelled to Portmeirion for two nights to stay in one of their village rooms. We had booked a cheap non-refundable bed, breakfast and dinner deal for a pretty reasonable rate. There was a little worry a few days before we left, snow and bad weather had arrived in the north, extending down to the latitudes of northern Wales. As it turned out there was some snow in the higher parts of the Snowdonia, the roads though were clear, well salted and in excellent condition. Buckinghamshire County Council please take note.

We arrived at Portmeirion village, checked in at the hotel and were then shown to our village room, Salutation 2 which was above the main tourist shop, where we settled in. A quick lunch, and then a walk through the woods to the far side that overlooks Porthmadog. There were woodsmen cutting up fallen trees. There seems to have been much damage over the past few years to some of the larger pines on the headland. It started to snow as we headed back to the village, though it was not settling.

That evening we had a very nice evening meal in the Portmeirion Hotel. I started off with pigeon cooked two ways (breast, and the legs confit), and then plaice and to finish pear tart with amaretti ice cream and bubble gum foam. Rosemary started with haddock and deconstructed quiche, then roast pork and celeriac. To finish she had a panacotta with mango sorbet.

Tuesday was a beautiful clear sunny and frosty day. Started the day with a lovely breakfast in the hotel, and then explored the village and woods, beautiful view of Porthmadog and of Snowdon covered with snow. We visited the dog cemetery, the ghost garden and the lakes. Back in the village I ate a bacon butty for lunch, more exploring the village and photographing robins. Masses of robins were following us around looking for food. Ended the daylight with an Welsh whisky ice cream.

In the evening walked to the hotel for G&Ts (Brecon gin, of course) and then dinner. Forgot to mention the meal always started with an amuse bouche, a large spoon with a cube of roasted lamb resting on a puree, and a small glass of soup plus foam. We both started with swordfish, Rosemary went veggie with a butternut and rosemary risotto, while I ate a delicious ox cheek. Desserts were the same as the previous night, R chose sticky toffee pudding with brill bits, while I ate a cherry arctic roll with a foamed white chocolate. Yes they served real ponced food. Brilliant.

Wednesday we both ate a Welsh fry up, and then headed on back home, stopping on the way to take a few more photographs of Snowdon.

Hundred House, Wales

Posted on April 15, 2006 by SteveNovember 12, 2020

For the long weekend we decided (well Steve did ) to go to Wales, staying at the camp site where he had learnt to para-glide. Fforest Fields, Hundred House in Mid Wales. Arrived there at around 10.00 on Friday. First person I saw was Katie, the owner, and she remembered me, it must be over 5 years since I last visited the site. She said she had very recently looking at my Glastonbury pictures from the 20th Century. Such a welcome back, the site was definitely a lot busier than a few years ago.

Alas the group were not turning up until Sunday. So a visit to Builth Welles for some steak and wine, at which stage we realised we had brought virtually nothing with us for camping. Yes we had matches, but we did not have a corkscrew, one knife and a few plastic plates. Back at the site, we went for a walk, and then to the pub for a quick half pint of beer, (literally), because Steve was due to meet Will on Treman. A long slog up the hill, (that glider gets heavier with advancing age) and I made it to the top. No Will, he had long gone on to Elan valley. A few minutes rest in the peace and quiet, on with the helmet and some ground handling.

I can tell you the ground handling was so nice and easy, compared with trying it back at home in our field. The wind was so smooth; the glider flew above my head with so little input. I even managed without thinking the correct reverse hand launch. Alas no one was around, so I decided on caution, a simple top to bottom for my first flight in over two years. Also the wind was not on the hill, so I was expecting the dynamic lift to be poor. I should have realised the thermals were there instead, looking down the hill, in that cold air, but warm sun, you could see the shimmering air.

A dream slow launch of the hill took me straight into lift, but my flight plan was for a top to bottom. so straight through this broad lift , over the farm, a 360 and then into land. Instantly surrounded by 6 under 6 children who wanted to see the paraglider, and the young farmer, who I presume was taking over from his father. Good news.

Back at the campsite, we lit up the disposable BBQ, cooked our steak and went to bed. It was still pretty cold during the night, so lots of cuddling to keep warm.

Next day we had Welsh bacon and bread for breakfast. Realised we had been camping next to Vern and Lynda, whom I had flown with in Nice. They now had an offspring, and stopped flying. Later in the day Mark arrived, as did a few more Welsh Borders members. The weather though was not conducive to flying and we left to go home.

Portmeirion, Wales

Posted on May 30, 2004 by SteveAugust 29, 2017

We visited Portmeirion in Wales, with the aim of seeing the Rhododendrons in flower. Excellent weekend, not very bright, but at least it did not rain. Pictures will be on the web in a few weeks.

Week holiday in Wales

Posted on September 18, 2003 by SteveDecember 31, 2020

We have just got back from a holiday to Wales. On Sunday we set off to Wales for our holiday. We spent several nights in B&Bs, a couple of nights in the excellent hotel at Portmeirion. Visited the usual Slate Mines and did a canal cruise. The weather was great, and the food was good. A full report with pictures will appear on the web site in due course.