April 18th

Rain Rain Go Away.

Rain here in Wales comes and goes throughout the day just like at home on the west coast of British Columbia. Today, it was on and off rain with no sign of the sun. Everyone was out enjoying themselves just the same. What do they say, “it’s not bad weather, just bad clothing”.

That reminds me of something I’ve noticed. I was told that British people like to talk about the weather. Is that ever true. Here are two random examples:

Washing dishes at the dish pit at a campsite.

“Hello” I’ll say.

“You’re alright?” they’ll answer. And right away, before I can say that I am fine they add “rain should stop midday I think”.

or

On my way to the toilets in the morning, I see a lady on the way in. She gives a big smile.

“Hello” I say.

“Too bad about the weather. Will get better by Tuesday”, she responds.

It’s mostly the older people that give the weather reports. I guess they have more time to think about it and it’s a very easy and friendly way of talking to someone.

Today, we spent a few hours in Beaumaris, a town on the Menai Strait that separates Anglesey from the mainland of Wales. We visited Beaumaris Castle, the first of four castles we will be seeing in this area.

Beaumaris is the 4th of the castles commissioned by Edward the 1st. This castle was never fully realized and is referred to as “the greatest castle never built”. The building of this castle was a way to fortify the process of the take over of North Wales by England. In 1295, work began on the castle and continued on and off until 1330 when the project was abandoned. Even so, it was still involved in later conflicts between Welsh Nationalists and England including a Welsh take over in 1403 and a hold by the English army in 1642 in the English Civil War. (Wikipedia)

The name Beaumaris means, beautiful marsh.

After Beaumaris Castle, we had a walk around the little town including coffee in a sweet cafe, and a look at some local art in a gallery,

We headed back to our campsite and had a late afternoon walk along Red Wharf Bay. On the day we arrived, looking out from our campsite, we thought there was a castle on the left at the head of the bay. Alas, it was a massive limestone rock but very impressive.

April 19th

We headed to Conwy Castle, 35 minutes up the coast. We went with Karen and met our other friends Tricia and Susan at the entrance.

Conwy is another fine example of a castle commissioned by Edward the 1st to help fortify power over the Welsh and potential uprisings. It, like the other castles, has a tumultuous history.

After Conwy Castle, we visited Bodnant Gardens, just 20 minutes or so away. What a great couple of hours there. It really put me in the spring and Easter mood with all the wonderful flowers, trees and bushes coming on. A stunning garden managed by the National Trust of Wales.

After our tour around Bodnant Gardens, we said goodbye to Susan and Tricia. They were off by to their Air B and B in the countryside close to us. We headed back to Anglesey in the van and dropped Karen off at Llangefni where her friend lived. Then we drove the 20 minutes back to Frongoch Campsite on Red Wharf Bay for the night.

What a great day out with good friends.