Day 6

Day 5 seems to have passed without a photo being taken, so here we are in Wales.  Yesterday we drove through North Wales and the village of Gwernymynydd, where I lived when I was two and three years old.

We are staying in Blaenau Ffestiniog.   Very different scenery now, everything is slate. The fields are small and have slate stone walls, there are quarries and spoil heaps, steep hills and almost alpine looking valleys and houses with black and white paintwork and little cottages built completely of slate. We spent a wonderful time in the old post office which is now a fascinating shop, selling old and new books. The whole building, every room upstairs and down, is full of second hand books - a real treasure trove!  

Today went by narrow gauge steam train to Porthmadog. A super journey, great fun!  Travelling slowly you get a chance to see the scenery as it passes.  Saw lots of sheep, stone sheep fanks, little old houses, waterfalls.  A pot of tea, Welsh cakes and bara brith with butter too!  Ollie was quite happy, his paw is healing well and it isn't bothering him much at all.  

By the time we got to Porthmadog the sun had come out and it was a lovely day.  We had a wander, Mike explored the maritime museum and Ollie and I sat and watched the boats in the harbour.  Also bought a new phone.  Not something which was planned, but hey ho!  Very nice it is too.  Also very nice to see the sea again.  It is strange, but I do miss it when we are inland!

Back to the site for a second night and fish and chips for tea.  Tried out my "please" and "thank you" in Welsh and it was warmly received!