Our last day I the United Kingdom spanned two countries. We began in Cardiff with the Doctor Who experience, which was a fun way to spend a morning. The costumes, props and activities were great to see, and we were able to see inside the Tardis! From there we drove to Bath, our final city before home.
It's a beautiful place, which feels like continental Europe rather than Britain, and as it was our last day, we decided to splurge. There is only one place which uses the original Roman springs, and so we booked in for a massage and access to the three levels of hot springs and saunas. Four hours of luxuriating in aromatherapy saunas, rooftop pools and mineral springs, as well a having a lovely head to toe massage is a blissful way to experience why the Romans built here nearly two thousand years ago. It was a decadent, thoroughly relaxing way to spend our last day.
From the spa we made our way to Sally Lunn's, the oldest eatery in the city which is famous for their signature bread. It was delicious, with the best garlic bread we've ever had, and everything else was also lovely. We had spotted dick for dessert, which was very good, the stack and lamb were excellent and we were just happy that our last dinner here was one we both enjoyed.
Tomorrow we'll have a few hours of wandering the streets, and then we're homeward bound in the evening, so that's it folks! Thank you for reading, and we'll see everyone after we get home on Saturday.
- Jess
Day 32 - Cardiff
Today was a long, but very enjoyable one, that began with a three hour drive from Bala to Cardiff. It was a pleasant drive, and the weather was fine, so as soon as we arrived we dumped our bags and head straight out into the city for a day of exploring. We made our way to the castle, and decided to stay and have a tour. It was brilliant, as the castle was inhabited until the 1950's, the rooms remain pristine and parts are still used today for state functions. Similarly to Neuschwanstein, the decoration is a pastiche of medieval decor, rather than an accurate representation. It was an excellent, and unique castle experience.
From the castle, we had a wander of the shopping district, and then discovered an indoor mini golf course, so of course we had to try it. The course was great (I won the first round) and then I won a free game, so we did the other course as well (which Andrew won). Following golf we were hungry, so we went to a Mexican place and had some tasty dinner, with tastier cocktails, and enjoyed our second to last night in the UK. Wales has been fantastic, especially the northern countryside.
- Jess
From the castle, we had a wander of the shopping district, and then discovered an indoor mini golf course, so of course we had to try it. The course was great (I won the first round) and then I won a free game, so we did the other course as well (which Andrew won). Following golf we were hungry, so we went to a Mexican place and had some tasty dinner, with tastier cocktails, and enjoyed our second to last night in the UK. Wales has been fantastic, especially the northern countryside.
- Jess
Day 31 - Horsies
We awoke to the saddening news that Bowie had passed away, which made for a somber breakfast. However, a crisp Welsh morning was beckoning us to enjoy the day, and after many, many years, I'd managed to get Andrew to agree to do some horse riding! Neither of us had done any before, but here in Wales it's reasonably priced, and I thought it would be a nice way to experience the countryside.
We had a particularly beautiful, though treacherous (gradients of over 20%) drive, into the mountains to what is Wales' highest farm, to a riding school situated in woodland and pastures near the border. We were expecting that our session would involve a sedate amble around a paddock to learn some basics, and maybe a short wander on some trails. This wasn't the case. After making friends with the two farm cats (who followed us) we met Harry and Rudi, the two beautiful horses we would be riding. We were given thirsty seconds of instruction, then we were on hour horses, and immediately on a trail outside of the farm. What followed was the most magnificent ride through fields and on trails in the Welsh mountains, the ground with a light dusting of snow, and our horses happily ambling along following our guide on her sprightly pony.
The scenery was stunning, snow capped mountains in the background, and bemused sheep and woodlands in our immediate surrounds, a brilliant way to spend two hours outside on a freezing (1 degree) morning. We did get up to a trot, but Rudi was a bit lazy and didn't fancy keeping it up for long. It was a fantastic experience, one I'd do again in a heartbeat.
We were freezing and hungry after our ride, so we made our way to Dolgellau for lunch, a tiny village recommended in our guide, had a tasty lunch, and a wander around the town. Time was getting away from us, and with less than an hour of sunlight left, we hopped in the car for a last drive through the mountains to drink in the scenery. We saw pheasants, hares, a robin, and an owl. As an aside, sheep here have a death wish, as they frequently get out of their pastures and decide that the best place to graze in on the road, preferably ones with a high speed limit and narrow lane widths.
We're back in our room now, we'll head out for dinner in a minute, but today has been brilliant, not least because it was bright and sunny.
We had a particularly beautiful, though treacherous (gradients of over 20%) drive, into the mountains to what is Wales' highest farm, to a riding school situated in woodland and pastures near the border. We were expecting that our session would involve a sedate amble around a paddock to learn some basics, and maybe a short wander on some trails. This wasn't the case. After making friends with the two farm cats (who followed us) we met Harry and Rudi, the two beautiful horses we would be riding. We were given thirsty seconds of instruction, then we were on hour horses, and immediately on a trail outside of the farm. What followed was the most magnificent ride through fields and on trails in the Welsh mountains, the ground with a light dusting of snow, and our horses happily ambling along following our guide on her sprightly pony.
The scenery was stunning, snow capped mountains in the background, and bemused sheep and woodlands in our immediate surrounds, a brilliant way to spend two hours outside on a freezing (1 degree) morning. We did get up to a trot, but Rudi was a bit lazy and didn't fancy keeping it up for long. It was a fantastic experience, one I'd do again in a heartbeat.
We were freezing and hungry after our ride, so we made our way to Dolgellau for lunch, a tiny village recommended in our guide, had a tasty lunch, and a wander around the town. Time was getting away from us, and with less than an hour of sunlight left, we hopped in the car for a last drive through the mountains to drink in the scenery. We saw pheasants, hares, a robin, and an owl. As an aside, sheep here have a death wish, as they frequently get out of their pastures and decide that the best place to graze in on the road, preferably ones with a high speed limit and narrow lane widths.
We're back in our room now, we'll head out for dinner in a minute, but today has been brilliant, not least because it was bright and sunny.
Day 30 - Snowdon and Caernarfon
A delightful day today, helped hugely by the brilliant weather. We had two plans for the day, as we were unable to check if one would be open. We drove through Snowdonia national park, passing little hamlets, waterfalls and riverine route. There had been snow in the mountains overnight, and as we emerged from the trees, we were greeted by the most stunning scenery; snow capped peaks, forest, and sunlight gleaming through the clouds. We wanted to catch the mountain train up Snowden mountain, but it was closed. Having anticipated this possibility, we made our way to Caernarfon castle, a spectacular ruin on the Welsh coast. We had an excellent tour, and stayed for a couple of hours.
Our guide suggested a local pub for lunch, and as it was getting a bit late, we made our way there and had a delicious lunch of Welsh stew and pie. It was quite a drive back to Bala, so we made our way back via a different route, still very pretty, and as usual it was dark by the time we arrived back. Being a Sunday, everything was also closed, so we went back to our room and rested before having a very light dinner in our hotel pub. We went and picked up some snacks from the deli, and with little else to do, finished up watching television and having tea. A lovely way to spend a rare sunny day here.
Our guide suggested a local pub for lunch, and as it was getting a bit late, we made our way there and had a delicious lunch of Welsh stew and pie. It was quite a drive back to Bala, so we made our way back via a different route, still very pretty, and as usual it was dark by the time we arrived back. Being a Sunday, everything was also closed, so we went back to our room and rested before having a very light dinner in our hotel pub. We went and picked up some snacks from the deli, and with little else to do, finished up watching television and having tea. A lovely way to spend a rare sunny day here.
- Jess
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