Four Mile Bridge to Aberffraw 5/12/26

Greetings from very chilly Wales.  When I left this morning, it was 9 degrees Celsius or 48 degrees Fahrenheit.  That doesn’t sound so cold, but it was very windy and damp.

I started here at the Four Mile Bridge.  This is very close to the 3-mile bridge, which  I described a few days ago as the Four Mile Bridge.  This is the original historic Four Mile Bridge, a 394-foot-long low stone bridge that, for centuries, was the only land crossing between Holy Island and the main island of Anglesey. Named for its location roughly 4 miles from Holyhead, it was a vital, often treacherous route for passengers and mail coaches before the Stanley Embankment opened in 1823.

So Many beautiful photo ops.  In the background is the Snodonia Mountain Range. It contains all 15 mountains in Wales over 3,000 feet high, including the country's highest, Snowdon, at 3,560 feet. These peaks are all part of the Snowdon, Glyderau, and Carneddau ranges in the north of the region. The only mountain in Great Britain higher than Snowden is Ben Nevis in Scotland.  Dennis and I hiked Ben Nevis a few years back. Snowden could be my next hike?

Fabulous!

This footbridge is needed when the tide is in.  

Conservationists working on the swampy-looking area left when the tide is out.

Grassy Trails are welcome.  Especially wide ones without stinging nettles.

I think this is  RAF Valley, a primary fast-jet training base.  For the past two days, there have been really fast, break-the-sound-barrier planes flying overhead.  As I was approaching Rhosneigr, I saw a class of trainees standing out on the dunes watching the jets.

I was trying to capture a photo of the windsurfers.  Rhosneigr is the number one spot in Europe for windsurfing. The latest craze in windsurfing is Foiling. Windsurf foiling replaces a traditional fin with a hydrofoil to lift the board, allowing for flight. These surfers were flying for short periods of time, about 20 feet above the water.

My last gate.  I had to wade through some ankle-deep water and climb up a big, soft sand hill to reach the road to my B&B.

A  very unusual house overlooking the ocean. 

Another unusual Tudor.  I have never seen this roof color on a Tudor.

This clock tower is the center of town, and the landmark locals use to give directions.  It is a World War II monument.

I ate dinner at the Lobster Catcher, even though I had to walk about a mile each way.

I really have to quit poking fun at British food.  I have had the best food of any trip I have been on, especially the hikes. I ordered the Thai red curry, which contained king prawns, monkfish, jasmine rice, and shrimp crackers. The shrimp crackers reminded me of pig skins, but better. This was fiery hot, somewhere between jalapeño and habanero hot. But it wasn’t just hot for hot's sake. The flavor of the curry was wonderful.  I started with my down jacket on, and after about two bites, I took it off.  Before I finished, I was down to my t-shirt and mopping my brow. The sauce clearly had cream, ghee (Indian butter), and herbs, plus the flavors of the fish and shrimp.  Best curry I have ever had.  Once again, I waddled back to my room.  I will need to go to a fat farm when I get home. I will be described as fat, dumb, and happy.  Today’s total mileage, counting dinner, was 15.3

Good night and God Bless.

Trearddur to Four-Mile Bridge 5/11/26

 

Good morning. It has turned colder, and the wind has maintained its gusto.

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There was a chance that it would drizzle most of the day.  Luckily, it did not.

Here is another house for you, Mary R, and it overlooks the ocean.

There are lots of mountains looming in the background.

And lots of little inlets.

There are many beautiful houses along here.

WARNING

The cliffs, overhangs, and steep slopes are dangerous, particularly to children. Please exercise caution and great care at all times. VISITORS USE THE HEADLAND ENTIRELY AT THEIR OWN RISK. The owners disclaim all responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage which may arise from any circumstances whatsoever. BEWARE OF SNAKES - Keep to the path

I cannot imagine a prettier bench to sit on and just admire the views. I took a little break here.  It was too beautiful not to stop and give thanks.

One of my favorite views.

There was plenty of up and down.

National Coast Watch

A lighthouse

I think this was some type of pheasant?  He was beautiful, and ahead of him was a little brown female. 

Boaters

Someday, this crack will be much wider, drop by drop.

At the end, I veered away from the ocean and into the woods. Once I got to the bridge, I had to wait about an hour for my taxi, and I thought I was going to freeze to death, not really, but I had stayed warm while I was hiking.  When I stopped - Brrrrr.

I had another incredible dinner, this time at the Sandy Mount House.  I ordered the Wild mushroom & blue cheese raviolis, which were sautéed wild mushrooms, truffle pecorino, spinach, and clearly made by a talented chef.  It was amazing.  It was rich without being gloppy and seasoned with a deft touch. OMG!

My dessert was Lemon & fig - charred meringue, lemon curd, fig, almond crumble,

lemon curd ice cream. It was worth every calorie and then some.  It had that bright, refreshing lemon taste of a really good lemon meringue pie.  I almost didn’t order it because I am not a fan of figs, but these were fresh figs. totally different from those dried, gritty sugar bombs. I will dream about this dessert for months to come. I have been most surprised by the food on this trip, definitely more than just pub grub.

Today’s total miles - 15.3, counting walking to dinner.

Good night and God Bless!

Holyhead to Trearddur 5/10/26

Thank you so much for all your encouraging emails and texts AND the birthday wishes.  I read them, but I can’t always reply.  Happy Mother’s Day to all you gals, especially to the best Mom ever - MINE!  AKA Sylvia Sylvia Garmon. 

I didn’t get to climb up to the summit today because of the high winds.  I could have chanced it, but it was a nine-hour day if all went perfectly; if I couldn't finish due to the winds, I was stuck in the middle of nowhere. I really hate using common sense.  It is not nearly as much fun.

This is a pedestrian bridge in Holyhead.  It crosses over the railroad tracks.

High on a hill as I was leaving Holyhead, I saw this tribute to John Skiner. "Born in Perth Amboy, in the State of New Jersey. His father Courtlandt Skinner was the last Attorney General for the State of New Jersey. When the American War of Independence broke out in 1776, John’s father formed a militia army (Skinner Greens) to support King George Ill and the Royalist movement. John aged 16 years joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman aboard the H.M.S. Phoenix. He sustained a serious injury to his right arm, which caused the amputation of the arm below his elbow. At the end of the war, with the Skinner family having been on the losing side, they left the now, newly formed United States of America; some of his family moving to Canada and John, with his mother and father returned to Bristol, England. John continued his naval career, eventually becoming Captain of one of the mail packet ships based in Bristol. In 1799, John was given the post of Senior Captain of the Mail Packets in

Holyhead, where he stayed until his death in 1832, when he was washed over board along with his First Mate off the South Stack. He was a generous benefactor to the town, feeding numerouspoor people every day; from his kitchens in Stanley House

situated in the old market square. A number of artefacts are on display in the Maritime

Museum."

The old lighthouse

Such a pretty trail.  I was actually chasing this black and white bird, trying to get a photo.  The bird is that spot in the center of the photo.

I have seen this ship from a distance for several days.  For a while, I thought it was a cruise ship, but when I got closer, I realized it was a ferry to Ireland.  This is the Irish sea.

There are many skeletons of old stone buildings dotting the coastline.

The good news about common sense was I found this cute place for a sit down lunch  

This is the Welsh version of a tuna melt, one of my old favorites.  I can not remember the last time I had a tuna melt in the U. S.  This had European Tuna (which is way better than that canned stuff we get), Dragon’s Breath Cheddar, and onions on a soft but slightly grilled roll.  It is still all about the bread. And it went a long way towards making up for not taking the scenic route. There is always a bridge side.  

A Celtic Cross

And more and more views of the beautiful coastline.  There is a tiny human standing on a rock just to give some perspective.

A tribute to dachunds in front of this house.

There mst be an artist who lives here because on the balcony was this giant lamp made out of the same substance.

I ate dinner at the Sea Shanty.

It may look boring for a birthday dinner, but it was anything but.  I ordered the Fish Chowder with white fish, shrimp, crab, and mussels.  I had intended to get something to go along with it, but it filled me up, especially served with those two pieces of toasted sourdough bread.  It was delicious. Instead of cake, I had a Ritter Sport chocolate coconut bar squirreled away in my suitcase.  In case you don’t know, Ritter Sport is an excellent chocolate company based in Switzerland.  YUM!

As I was waddling back to my hotel, I saw this sign.  It looked like a golf course but, the photo shows someone kicking a ball.  Interesting.

So that is all of today's news.

Good Night and

God Bless