Visit Wales?

You may have seen the recent TV adverts from the Welsh Assembly, 'Holidays Unpackaged', well I've just returned from a holiday and Wales, so how does do they compare to reality.

Last day - Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Last day of the holiday - time for just one more excursion - the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

I'd seen it featured on a TV show earlier in the year and as it was close to the route home I added it to my itinery. Recently it was added to the list of World Heritage Sites.

Sunset Now

Last full day in Wales and it end it ended with a spectacular sunset.

But the day started with heavy rain so it was destined to be a bit of a mixed bag.

Conwy & Padarn

Paid a return visit to Conwy today.

The town has a lot of charm and contains one of the best castles in Wales - there are some very high towers that command stunning views.

Moelfre & Traeth Lligwy

Today I took a drive over the Menai Bridge to Anglesey and visited Moelfre for the start of a walk along the coastal path.

Moelfre is one of the nicer places I have visited on the island and it is reminiscent of Cornwall.

Llandudno & Great Orme

Drove to the top of the Great Orme and took the Tram back down into Llandudno.

Rainbow

View from my holiday cottage this evening.

Bodnant & Penrhyn

The weather forecast didn't look so good today so decided to head somewhere where a bit of rain wouldn't matter. First stop was Bodnant Gardens and fortunately the sun managed to stay out until just as I was leaving.

Caernarfon & Llanbedrog

Looking at the satellite weather forecast it was clear that I would need to chose my destinations carefully today to make the most of the available sun.

Started the day in Caernarfon - had a walk around the town, visited the castle and found a bistro serving Sunday lunch.

Powis Castle

Day 8 - Time to move on to the new base for the second week of my Holiday. I'm relocating from south west Wales to the north west - half way there I took a major diversion to visit Powis Castle.

Given it's location - it not somewhere I could normally visit so it was an opportunity not to be missed.

Mwnt & Llanerchaeron

Last day in Pembrokeshire - tomorrow I head north for a week in Swowdonia

Promising start to the day - the warmest so far.

First off - head to the beach at Mwnt (pronounced "moont"). I read great things about it and I wasn't disappointed.

Tenby & Bishop's Palace Lamphrey

Well the promised sun hardly ever materialised but it was a pleasant day none-the-less. Started in Tenby with a walk around the town followed by an excellent lunch in the Hope & Anchor (Sea Bream).

After, a long walk down the length of the beach.

Newport, Cwm yr Eglwys & The Rainforest Centre

Started off at Newport - which I've seen described as being like Tenby. I think they forgot the word "not" as it's nothing like Tenby.

Aberporth & New Quay

Dull but dry day - perfect for walking.

Started of with the coastal footpath at Aberporth and finished with a walk around New Quay

Also worth mentioning is the excellent lunch at the "Old Watch House" restaurant in New Quay.

Kidwelly, National Botanic & Llansteffan

First stop of the day - Kidwelly Castle - apparently I visited it as a child but It's too long ago for me to remember.

Poppit, Cenarth and Major Fail.

After the long drive to Wales yesterday I didn't want to spend too much time in the car. Started off a mile from where I am staying at Poppit Sands.

And in the afternoon a long walk though the valley at Cenarth along the banks of the river Teifi.

St. Dogmaels Morning

My base for the next week is a Cottage in St. Dogmaels. This was the view from the front door that greeted me this morning.

Tintern Abbey & Dinefwr

Day 1 of my Holiday to Wales - visited two spectacular locations on my way to the cottage.

First , just over the border in the Wye Valley was Tintern Abbey.

  

The second stop was at the Dinefwr Park and Castle.

   

iPhone 3GS review

I finally switched to the iPhone when the new model, the 3GS, was released on the 19 June. My main requirement was not the phone but the data capilities. I also wanted it to replace my existing iPod Classic.