This morning we woke up as frozen as icicles. Our heaters were turned off during the night. It was SO cold. I ate some vegemite on toast with milo while I waited for the girls to get ready (that’s right, the hostel catered for the Australians). We drove in to town to find somewhere nice for breakfast and ended up at the most kitsch little place ever. It was thoroughly adorned with christmas decorations, but not gaudily. There was mistletoe, christmas tree offcuts, holly, christmas bush… And home made gingerbread decorations – the works. It was everywhere. The staff were the kids of the chef and they were so friendly! We chatted while we ate scrummy scrambled eggs and ham on toast NOT TO SHARE because it was just THAT delicious.
Below: A motte & bailey castle on the way; a typical out-the-window view
Then we drove north. North north north. We made a detour by the ocean for no other reason than because Sally thought the ocean would make a nice stop. We went out of our way to get there but it was totally worth it! The Irish sea is a crazy mash of terrible weather, choppy & muddy water and lots of rocky shorelines. It was extremely windy but it was just awesome. Driving in to the harbour (by accident) we saw more castle ruins (driving around you see a lot). This one was awesome though. Right on the most exposed point of a cliff stands an enormous castle with all the bells and whistles. It’s mostly gone but it’s still great – mainly because of your appreciation for someone actually living there in those conditions. Lots of inside time I’d say.
We stopped for lunch at the Olive Branch cafe, in town (Aberystwyth). It’s a little Greek restaurant that deserves a lot of credit. Out our window was the ocean. Our food – a selection of home made, delicious dips & some soup was amazing. On the way to lunch we drove past four youngsters eating fish and chips at the castle. The paper was blowing everywhere. The wind was strong enough to literally push you up the hill. Similar to extreme sports, they were practicing extreme picniking.
Heading North again we drove and drove until it was dark and we drove some more. The roads got skinnier and the hills got hillier. Lakes were more common and the trees were thicker. Fat sheep graze on hillsides in paddocks marked with thicket fences (is that a word? The fences are hedges). The sheep are so white in comparison to the landscape and they look just like sheep do in fairy tales. I always thought those sheep looked that way just because it was a cartoon version of a normal sheep – but nope. Our sheep are just different, that’s all.
After a long drive in lots of windy roads we arrived to Anglesey Isle at the very North of Wales. We’re staying in a town called Almwch in a hotel that is particularly lovely. We weren’t hungry for dinner after our late and epic lunch. Upon reading the menu for the restaurant downstairs we changed our minds. There’s nothing like food that’s actually from the area it’s grown in. The restaurant of our hotel is locally famous and uses all local ingredients. As soon as I read that, I was sold. Such a sucker for fresh/local things. Save those food miles!
I had two courses .Totally unnecessary. Totally delicious. Fig and duck terrine followed by stilton blue cheese and rocket tortellini. Delicious!
Now I’m full, showered, ready for bed. I’ve got some sleeping tablets to put me to sleep tonight and we’ve got a big local breakfast to wake up to – included in the price of our room (which is a bargain. Thanks Tegan!). Tomorrow’s a big day. We want to see a bit of the area, then we’re off to Manchester to pick up a friend and then up to Edinburgh ready for New Years Eve. We’re there for 3 nights which will be another nice rest!!!!!
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