Wales!

Found the link cable! There are squillions of photos on there, didn't realise we'd taken so many. Ok so maybe not that many but a good 60 odd. Not bad for a weekend, plus another 25 odd on my phone.

Anyways. Selected photos of that Celtic place out west as follows.

On way out there stopped off at a place called Lake Vrynwy, a vast reservior that provides bathing and washing options for a sizeable chunk of the midlands. It is now also a fairly major recreational place, with several birdwatch hides, fishing places, walks etc. We were just stopping off to stretch the M6 out of our legs and had a look around their sculpture park.

I then however found an assault course, which of course I had to have a go on. Bec couldn't resist it either despite her attempts at superior matureness.

We then made our way up to central Snowdonia, to a place we have come to know quite well, a B&B called Cae Du. We stopped off for fish and chips and as you would hope munched it by the sea.

The weather was high cloud and low wind the next day, ideal for hiking up mountains. We chose a veritable chunk of rock named Cadair Idris to hike up.

Cosseted southern shire legs stood up well to welsh mountain abuse. We went off dinner in Betws-y-Coed, going past Waterloo cottage. I have an album of photos from a holiday we had there in 2003 (I think), from which we have quite varied but most definitely entertaining memories.

We went for a walk along the river, where inbetween being attacked by mozzies I felt the need to skim some stones.

The next day we found legs were indeed a touch achey after climbing up and down 2900 feet of granite so we wandered off to Carneavon Castle, whereupon we discovered that narrow steep stone stairs do not provide welcome relief from whinging muscles.

Nevertheless we had a good look at most of the castle before meeting Gareth (Bec's brother, who is slowly morphing into a Baywatch surf extra) for some lunch (hmmmm big burger and chips).

We then headed to Beddgellert. This has old memories of as a child being taken along the old railway track on walks. The old railway track though has now become a new one again- it is being restored by the Welsh Highland Railway. This was a much more gentle walk alongside the river (whereupon I once again felt the need to skim some stones) although I was quite disappointed to find the old pitch black tunnel is now out of bounds.

We had a sumptious feast at Cae Du that night before reluctantly headingback down Sarf to the prospect of work. We stopped off at Vrnywy again on the way back, but this time hired some bikes. The lake perimeter is approx 12 miles, but all nicely flat, and was an enjoyable relaxed ride around.

Will endeavour to put more photos- have got loads to upload, inc a few quite funny ones not at all related to Wales - on albums on facebook or Slide ASAP.