Wales

Following the Half Ironman, we continued on to ‘sunny’ Wales to continue the summer holiday….. a pity noone informed the weatherman ! Unfortunately the broken clavical hampered my participation in the mountain biking, but there was plenty of football, including wins by England and France to keep me entertained. Based in a cute ski cabin in the Rhinog’s some great mountainbiking and walking is located in the vicinity, and the weather reflected the ambience of the forests, glacial valleys and windswept farms, with the weather more like autumn in NZ than the heat of the last week in London. A wee pub was located up the road for Dylan (JJ) to sample his fish and chips, accompanied by his friends Rhys (K), Imogen (E), Gwenyth (L) and Myfamwy (S).

We also took a trip to Holyhead, an island located to the west of Anglesey. On our way there, we took in the sites of Blaenau Ffestiniog (unfortunately the slate mining town wasn’t quite as festive as the name suggests) and stopped at Llanberis to join the older ladies and gentlemen on a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Some fantastic views although the train only went 5/8 of the way up due to repairs on the line. The highlight of the trip however was visiting with Emma’s Aunt and Uncle, Sue and Godfrey at their Farmhouse on Holyhead. After partaking in their generous hospitality, we took in the rugged coastline, cliffs and lighthouse at Southstack. We made our way home through Caernarfon with a quick stop at the resident castle and then back home.