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.

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.

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.

   

Caravans

I think there is some prejudice and preconceptions regarding caravans, but I usually have at least one holiday in one each year and the standard is nothing like as basic as it used to be.

Last Stop, Padstow

Final day of the Holiday - started with an excellent breakfast in the Rick Stein Cafe.  Then walked around the harbour, purchased some gifts and a crab sandwich for the journey home.

Tolverne

The Tolverne restaurant (aka Smugglers Cottage) is situated on the riverbank between Falmouth and Truro. I had passed it on a couple of occasions as I travelled by boat and had been meaning to stop off for a visit for some time

Stithains, Trelissick & St Mawes

Stithains has been on my visit list for a few years - On the map it's a big blue reservoir in the middle of nowhere just asking to be discovered.

I knew there was a risk that it would be pretty unspectactular, and it was - I stayed about 10 minutes before moving on to my standby destination - Trelissick.