Beaumaris to Pentraeth 5/3/26

 

Hiya!  It is what people here in Wales say when they greet you on the streets.

It was pretty foggy when I started out this morning.  In reading today’s guide, they used the dreaded word CLIMB. Plus, I have to worry about the tide.  I consulted a tide chart, and there was a 23-foot difference between the high and the low. That is a lot.  I wrote directions for each spot that might be a problem.  As it turned out, my online map took me around each area.

Looking back towards Beaumaris Castle, the "greatest castle never built” circa the late 1200s.

I thought these were going to be caves, but they were just washed-out areas of the rocks. And I had to stumble over all these rocks or choose the very soft sand for about a half mile.

Another one of these spots that had I tried the original route, it was sink or swim.

I have never come across one of these before.  I did once accidentally walk into a pop-up brothel in Spain. There, I was looking for a Diet Coke.  I didn’t find one.

This are mountains through the mist.

Penmon Priory

"These buildings originally formed the south range of the Priory Cloister. They date from the 8th century and were probably built at the time the old Celtic monastery was reorganized as an Augustinian Priory. The refectory (dining Rau)was on the first floor, with a cellar below and the

dormitory above. The kitchen and warming house at the east end were added in the late 16th century.”(copied from the sign) 

On the right side is a small church.

More beautiful stained glass.

This is the  Penman Davecot built around 1600.  There is a stone pillar inside that supports a ladder giving access to the nests. A dovecot is a structure intended to house pigeons or doves, which were once a significant source of food.

There is an old lighthouse to the left.

Woohoo!  A place to have a Diet Coke and a real bathroom.  

I couldn’t resist ordering a scop of cherry, “Gold Medal Winning Luxury Welsh Dairy Ice Cream.”  After all, I have to write about something.  It is all your fault. 

It totally hit the spot. Very creamy and rich. And that Diet Coke tasted just jim-dandy.

I recently learned these are called kissing gates. Popular in rural Britain, it gets its name because the gate merely touches or "kisses" the sides of the enclosure. More romantically, the nature of the gate means that as one person goes through, they tend to turn and hold it for the next person, bringing them face-to-face. An old kissing game based on going through the gates meant that the first person to go through could 'demand' a kiss before letting the other person through. 

The climb was not as bad as I had envisioned.  I was thinking of the Alps. There was quite a bit of uphill, and I am finally starting to see big cliffs.

These yellow flowers were abundant on the higher levels.

The trail had been rerouted, and I couldn’t figure out how to get where I needed to be.  These two local gentlemen (and Finn) were so very nice. They walked me down to the start of the new trail and explained where I needed to go. One of them laughed and said that if I couldn’t find it, I could tell stores about how these two Welshmen misdirected me.  I told them I was going to make up a much better story about them. I’ll never tell.

My last hurdle was this long bridge, over a swamp-like area.  I have never seen a footbridge anywhere near this long. Another mile or so on the beach, and I finally reached the sand parking lot where my driver met me and drove me to my hotel.  He will pick me up in the morning and take me back to resume the trail.

So it is late, and after 18.5 miles, I am tired.

Good Night and God Bless.

Bangor to Beaumaris 5/2/26

Happy Derby Day!

I decided to go to the Bangor Cathedral. Modern-day Bangor dates back to the founding of a monastery on the site of the Cathedral by the Celtic Saint Deiniol in the early 6th Century. He is venerated in Brittany as Saint Denoual, but in English and Latin his name is sometimes rendered as Daniel.

Bangor Cathedral has been engulfed in a major scandal involving a “toxic” culture of excessive binge drinking, bullying, sexual misconduct, and severe financial mismanagement, with multiple resignations and investigations. Officials reported inappropriate behavior by clergy, including “seven last shots of Christ" on Good Friday.  The Archbishop of Wales resigned as a result. Those bad boys - sounds more like a frat party atmosphere.

It is a beautiful cathedral - long and narrow with many beautiful windows.

The stained glass behind the altar.

Looking towards the entrance.

The elegant Clock Tower or Twry Cloc dates from 1887, and is the focal point of Bangor’s thriving retail district, home to both local and international shopping.

I had about 2-3 miles of a very narrow, almost overgrown footpath.  It was good to get off the pavement.

My first look at the Menai Bridge, or Pont Grog y Borth, a historic, world-famous iron suspension bridge in North West Wales, which connects the Isle of Anglesey to the mainland. Designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1826, it was the world's first major iron suspension bridge. If you didn’t catch the date. it is 200 years old.

Looking down from the bridge, which is 100 feet above high tide. At the end of the bridge I reached Anglesey Island which is 270 square miles. I will be walking all the arond the coast and I don’t thik it is going to be a flat walk.n Today was 10.4 miles, primarily because I walked around Bagor for about 3 miles.

Just over the bridge, I stopped for a much-needed Diet Pepsi. I was just happy to have any fizzy diet drink.  They even had ice!

It was a charming little bar and restaurant with a gorgeous bartender.  She was as pretty on the outside as on the inside. Kind of like my friends Janet and Mary, as well as many of my other friends

The flowers are in total bloom.  Look at the gorgeous color on that one.

I don’t know what this island is, but there were about 4 cars parked there. Why? There were no bridges to it, and I can not imagine a ferry coming along.  All I can figure is that they can only drive off of it if the tide is really low.

Looking across back at the mainland.

I saw some beautiful estates. The back of this one overlooks the river.

Finally, I make it to Beaumaris.  What a beautiful resort area. Beaumaris is a town located at the eastern entrance to the Menai Strait. And just for Dennis, at the 2021 census, its population was 1,121. It is known as the most beautiful and (most famous) unfinished castle in Europe. It was the last castle that King George the First built. I haven’t seen the castle yet, and I am not sure if I will have time to visit it.

My lodging for the night is Bishopgate House Hotel.  I have a cute room in the attic with slanted ceilings, overlooking the water. You can see my little window at the top - center.  I was wondering how I kept getting attic rooms, and then I remembered that I asked for somewhere quiet when I made my reservations with Celtic Trails. I am delighted. And they have all been quiet so far.

I had dinner at the Liverpool Arms.  I had beef stroganoff, which was tender beef fillet (sorta), mushrooms, onions, and peppers, with a creamy paprika-and-mustard sauce.  It came with rice and chips. I liked it, but I kept thinking there was something missing, and it was sour cream. The chips were great, and the rice was rice.  A successful dinner with a large glass of wine.  What’s not to like if it has good wine and a good atmosphere?

Once again, I bid you good night and God Bless.

Conwy to Bangor 4/30 - 5/1/26

Good morning, all! 

This is the lovely couple, Jo & Henrique Fino, who own the Castlebank Hotel. One of my favorite 

B & B’s ever.

The view out of Conwy. At breakfast, I overheard some men talking about the mountain.  The one had attempted to reach the summit, but the winds were 55 miles per hour at the top, and he had to turn back.  He said the winds were even stronger today. He also said that it almost knocked him off his feet. He had about 75+ pounds on me.  I was planning the mountain route, but I changed my mind and took the coastal route. Not totally successfully.

That is a lot of babies for these girls to manage.

The trail looks easy, but it is not.  Soft sand that slowed me down and killed my thighs.

See that pile of rocks at the end. It looks small, but it was not. It was about 20 feet tall, and the trail markers and my online map definitely led me there. I climbed about six feet up and decided that it was too dangerous. It was very windy, and the tide was coming in. I had no guarantee that if I made it to the top, I would be able to continue on.  And if I didn’t, the descent would be ever trickier.  After Switzerland, I did not want to be rescued again. I turned around and started back. I thought I was going to have to walk all the way back to Conwy.  I had already walked about two miles in the soft sand, and the thought of another equal distance back on that sand did not thrill me.  Plus, I HATE backtracking!  After I had trudged (grumbling and swearing) back about half a mile, I saw a woman walking her dog.  She told me how to get to a paved path that wasn’t on my map.

As it turns out, I made an excellent decision.  This is looking down on the other side of the rocks, nothing but seawater slapping the rock face, and it looks pretty deep. The other factor is the dangerous currents in this area.

Then, I came across this sign. It would have been helpful to have it earlier. In case you can not read it says, 

Danger

There are areas of soft sand

on this beach.

Beware of being cut off

by tides

A later view of the coastline.

Aren’t the babies cute?

I stopped here and had a sandwich.  I was at about 10 miles.  

A skate park. Since it was a school day, there were no skaters.

Graffiti seems to follow skaters, and the graffiti is usually dark or rebellious.  There were about 10 similar panels.

I did have to walk a little way up the side of the mountain.  These giant bolts are keeping the rocks from sliding down. I have never seen these before.

I can’t pronounce the English name, much less the Welsh name.

Clever painting on this horse trailer.  I think Janet needs one.

A beautiful estate in LLANFAIRFECHAN, comon pronunciation.

Look in his backpack!  It is a little dog.  

From the sign:

"Spinnies Aberogwen's series of lagoons and surrounding habitat provide shelter and food for wildfowl, waders, and smaller birds, especially during the autumn and spring migrations - the neighboring estuary of the River Owen and the tidal mudflats of Traeth Lafan attract some amazing species. Tall, graceful stands of common reed provide sheltered nest sites for moorhen as well as an excellent place to watch grey heron and little egret hunting! For much of the year, the brightly coloured kingfisher is a familiar and well-loved sight. Regular work parties help maintain the bird hides and footpaths, whilst the provision of bird food at the hides is supported by many individuals and local organizations."

The River Owen

This tree was at least 15 feet tall. As I was coming into town, I saw this phenomenal tree. I couldn’t figure out how to get to my lodging for the night.  I just kept pushing forward.  I was afraid that if I sat down, I would never get up.  I was borderline boinking, which means I was totally out of fuel.  I desperately needed to sit down and eat something, but I didn’t want to pause. Prayer works.  Right after I sent up an arrow prayer, I saw a man, and I asked him if he knew where the Management Center was.  He said he lived very close to it and to just follow him.  He was tall and long-legged, and I had trouble keeping up, plus it was up a steep hill/mountain.  Fresh, I could have kept up, but not exhausted and carrying a backpack. 

Finally, after 22.5 long miles, I see the Management Center.  Pretty impressive.  According to AI, "The Management Centre at Bangor University is a premier business, conference, and accommodation hub launched in 2008 following a £15m ($18 million dollar) project supported by EU funding. Housed in the historic Edwardian-era former Normal College buildings (circa 1908–1910), it offers 4-star accommodation, dining, and executive training, serving thousands annually, including members of the Royal family.”  Once I checked in, I had to haul my luggage up three flights of stairs, but at long last, I made it--  22.5 miles!

I decided to eat in the 1811 dining room at the hotel. I was too tired to walk into Bangor and look for a place. It looked like a student cafeteria but had table service. I ordered the Roasted Chicken Supreme, and Supreme it was.  I wasn’t expecting anything so delicious. It was served over new potatoes, with broccolini and snow peas, topped with a white wine and Dijon sauce. I thought I was almost too tired to eat, but I practically licked my plate. New Zealand Sauvignon wines are very popular.  I had a nice glass of “Squealing Pig.” My waiter gave me a free dessert card for tonight.  I am going back and ordering the chicken again - that is how good it was.  I think I will order the black cherry crumble tart that comes with Welsh Vanilla Ice cream and then waddle back to my room.

Nothing exciting today. I wandered around the campus which is very old and historic.  I did laundry and got reorganized and then workied on this Blog. 

So I bid you good afternoon and

God Bless.