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Short Break to LlandudnoFriday 7th: We left BAWA on time at 09:30 with our driver Andy and our Courier Carole. We were somewhat depleted in numbers as a small number had to drop out at the last moment due to ill health. The morning was dry but overcast as we made our way up the M5 toward Birmingham, stopping at Frankly Services for a comfort stop and then on to Shrewsbury. As we approached this historic city, so fine rain began to fall. |
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We arrived at about mid-day and stopped here for 2 hours, giving us time to get some lunch and have a walk about. At 14:15 we were back on the coach and on to Llandudno with no further stops arriving at The Imperial Hotel at about 17:00. We checked in then up to our rooms where we discovered the mysteries of “Key Cards” both for entry to the room and to operate the electricity. (Not easy with your arms and mouth full of bits and pieces. Oh for another hand. 18:30 and time for lunch.
Saturday 8th: Early breakfast today as we are off to the Mountain Railway and we have to time our morning to coincide with the railway timetable. The weather is wet and the forecast for the day says it will improve later. Off first to Betws-y-Coed; continuous misty rain and very low cloud did not encourage us to wander too far from the coach, but there were a number of craft and gift shops close by that kept our attention. From here we proceeded over Nant Gwynant to Rhyd Du where we leave the coach and pick up the train on The Welsh Highland Railway for a trip down to the coast at Caernarfon and rejoined the coach – the rain has stopped. We made our way to the National Trust Penrhyn Castle – a most imposing structure and one where photographs are not permitted inside the castle. After the castle tour we returned to the hotel for lunch.
Click here to see more pictures from the Welsh Highland Railway and Penrhyn Castle Sunday 9th
Click here to see more pictures from Bodnant Gardens and Llandudno Monday 10th: Today the sun is shining and the day promises to be fine. We are leaving the hotel at about 10:00 and heading over the Menai Bridge for Beaumaris and lunch. The weather will determine how long we stay and wander on foot. Before crossing the Menai Straits, we diverted to that old railway station with the longest name (NO I am not going to risk trying to spell it here) The station is long gone and the building is owned by James Pringle Weavers with the usual gifts, clothing and bric-a-brac for sale. We stopped here for about 40 minutes giving time for those who wanted to shop and obtain refreshments, then on to Beaumaris with a little rain on the way.
Beaumaris was dry – but that did not last. We obtained lunch at a variety of establishments and then the weather became quite nasty with a gale blowing right up the straights, so some of us made our way to the coach and sat in the dry until 14:00 when we left for the Llanberis Pass, Capel Curig and The Swallow Falls with most spectacular scenery. Continuing on to Llandudno, we arrived at the hotel at about 16:00. An early lunch was arranged as most of our numbers were attending a musical at the local theatre. Click here to see more pictures of the hotel, and the places visited on the 10th of October Tuesday 11th: Luggage requested to be outside the room door ready for collection and loading on the coach by 09:00. Breakfast, check-out and on the coach ready for departure by 10:00. The weather is very unpleasant with torrential rain and the forecast of more to come. We left on time and made our way over The Horseshoe Pass. I was glad the driver knew where he was going. I was sat in the front seat of the coach and I could see nothing. The higher we went the less we could see as we were in patches of very thick mist or cloud throughout this part of the journey. What we could see was again spectacular and as we descended so more and more of the countryside became visible – quite rugged and beautiful..
We made for Llangollen where we stopped for lunch (and so did the rain). We had the opportunity to walk through the town and to look down on the River Dee; then on to Shrewsbury and back down the motorway to Bristol with a comfort stop at Frankly Services arriving back at BAWA by 16:50 having got caught up with road works and diversions in the Bristol area.
Click here to see more of Langollen, and bath-time in the hotel! David and Janet have again excelled themselves with their organisation and this time with a Courier running things they were both in a position to take a somewhat relaxed break this time but were on hand to answer any and all questions asked of them. Thank you David and Janet, and indeed to all those on the trip, for helping to make it a happy, friendly and truly memorable break. Bill Brand |
