We learnt from the mistakes of history and decided to take Britain by land. Armed with a rental car and a large quantity of jelly babies we delved deep into the “land of embarrassment and breakfast”. Well, as deeply as 12 days would permit.
A toothless hitch-hiker with serial killer hair and a heart of gold recommended a not too distant first stop in England’s Lakes District. Given the source of the recommendation we were very surprised to find ourselves in a boutique village featuring award winning breakfasts, picture postcard sunsets and some lovely lakes!
The following day we drove further south into Wales, making our way along the northern coastline and then south into the idyllic Snowdonia National Park. The pastures fit together like puzzle pieces delineated with stone walls and are populated by brick cottages, lambs a leaping, ruins of renaissance era mansions, ancient churches, nuzzling horses and sweeping shelter belts of trees in shades of gold and green.
For some reason Wales reminded us of home...
Our first stop in Wales was a converted stables, now the host to many a Welsh school trip and... us. Just us. We had the whole place to ourselves. We spent our time spreading out in the huge lounge, playing surprisingly even table tennis matches, and exploring the ruins of the old abandoned mansion...
It was used as a prisoner of war camp during the second world war... very spooky.
On day three we visited gorgeous Port Meirion, an Italian inspired village that was the setting of the mind-bending 1960’s TV show The Prisoner then slowly made our way further south to the Brecon Beacon national park. We stayed in a tiny village’s sole hostel/bar and were welcomed into a team for the towns weekly pub quiz. We managed not to disgrace ourselves during the quiz but may have done so afterwards upon being gifted a bottle of wine...
No sign of the ominous white ball...
We originally set a course along the coast of Wales, but after many miles of uninspiring views we ventured inland and were greeted with these valleys.
The following morning we dragged ourselves out of bed for a 12km walk and then departed Wales with heavily aching muscles and lightly aching hearts at the thought of how much more there was to see and do in that beautiful country.
CUTE! Even Postman Pat came by for a visit.
After some local ciders (one of which was called 'brains') we set hit the road for England...stopping only for a peek at this epic ruined cathedral.
A toothless hitch-hiker with serial killer hair and a heart of gold recommended a not too distant first stop in England’s Lakes District. Given the source of the recommendation we were very surprised to find ourselves in a boutique village featuring award winning breakfasts, picture postcard sunsets and some lovely lakes!
The following day we drove further south into Wales, making our way along the northern coastline and then south into the idyllic Snowdonia National Park. The pastures fit together like puzzle pieces delineated with stone walls and are populated by brick cottages, lambs a leaping, ruins of renaissance era mansions, ancient churches, nuzzling horses and sweeping shelter belts of trees in shades of gold and green.
For some reason Wales reminded us of home...
Our first stop in Wales was a converted stables, now the host to many a Welsh school trip and... us. Just us. We had the whole place to ourselves. We spent our time spreading out in the huge lounge, playing surprisingly even table tennis matches, and exploring the ruins of the old abandoned mansion...
It was used as a prisoner of war camp during the second world war... very spooky.
On day three we visited gorgeous Port Meirion, an Italian inspired village that was the setting of the mind-bending 1960’s TV show The Prisoner then slowly made our way further south to the Brecon Beacon national park. We stayed in a tiny village’s sole hostel/bar and were welcomed into a team for the towns weekly pub quiz. We managed not to disgrace ourselves during the quiz but may have done so afterwards upon being gifted a bottle of wine...
No sign of the ominous white ball...
We originally set a course along the coast of Wales, but after many miles of uninspiring views we ventured inland and were greeted with these valleys.
The following morning we dragged ourselves out of bed for a 12km walk and then departed Wales with heavily aching muscles and lightly aching hearts at the thought of how much more there was to see and do in that beautiful country.
CUTE! Even Postman Pat came by for a visit.
After some local ciders (one of which was called 'brains') we set hit the road for England...stopping only for a peek at this epic ruined cathedral.
love your blogs guys, can't wait to see you even more tho :)
ReplyDeleteLove Liesl xx