Éireann go Brách!!

One year, to celebrate mine and my daughter's birthday, we, all 6 of us, decided to explore a bit of Ireland! We found a place, Tigh Mimi      -- http://www.vacationvillas.net/Ireland/holiday-apartment-Kerry/p20476.htm, in Ballincolla/Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula. A wonderful little house with loads of Irish music, helpful brochures and absolutely centrally located to all the things we did! The first day of adventuring found us all piled into a zephira and plugging down a bumpy little road, on the 'wrong' side! lol We loved it!

Our first stop had us all falling out of the car at the Gallarus Oratory -- http://www.dodingle.com/pages/gallarus_centre.html!
The Oratory dates back to 800 AD, is an example of an early christian church...as early as the 6th century monastic settlements. It was built without mortar using a 'corbel vaulting' (a neolithic tomb-maker) technique. It has one tiny windown built opposite the door. The Oratory overlooks the Smerwick Harbour. We loved seeing this place...how awesome!

Next, we went to Dunbeg Fort or An Dun Beag. Started in the late Bronze Age, 800 BC, it was used up through the Celtic period to the 10th century. It's on a sheer cliff over Dingle Bay at the base of Mt. Eagle. The view here is spectacular!! We went all thru the tunnels and imagined what could have went on in each area of the fort. Looking out over the cliff, it was hard to imagine anything but beauty. As you can see from our pics, we decided to 'vogue' on the mounds within the fort boundaries. The kids also played 'King/Queen of the Hill'! lol  Here is some useful info on Dunbeg, but always double-check the web site for updates!
Directions: Dunbeg Fort is located in the village of Fahan, 7 kms after Ventry Village, on the Slea Head Drive (R559). 14 kms west from Dingle.
Admission Prices: Adults 3.00euro; Students 2.00euro, Children over 5yrs 1.50euro, Children under 5yrs: Free. Admission Prices includes tickets to both the Dunbeg Fort and the Audiovisual Presentation
Opening Hours - Dunbeg Fort Visitor Centre: Open Daily, March - November 9.00 a.m. 6.00 p.m 7.00 pm during the summer months. Group Bookings Telephone: 066 9159755 info@dunbegfort.com

We also went out to Louis Mulcahy's Pottery--it's a store where you can buy some exquisite pieces...and I do mean exquisite or you can go to the Visitor center and make pottery for FREE! Joan was there to help the kids and boy did they have a time working the clay! If you do this, make sure you go with a at least 3-4 days left before traveling home as the clay needs to sit and dry!! 8-)) We got ours home and still have it!

After that, we skooted on down the road there to Clogher's Strand and played on the beach and in the surf for quite a while. The sprays were fantastic and it was a really good time!

For most of our meals, we ate mostly at John Benny Moriarty --  http://www.johnbennyspub.com/ !    The pub is located on Strand St. in Dingle (what we thought of as 'main' street). This place really brought Ireland alive to us! The music, the food, the people...it was Ireland, all rolled up and waiting behind a tiny door! Pushing that door open allowed a breeze of laughter and music to escort you right in among 'friends'. Smiling faces and greetings galore met you as walked through to settle on a table. Delicious aromas, cozy warmth from the March gales, friendly hospitality and laughter...it was everything I'd always read about and wanted to experience. I know that sounds a bit corny, but it's true....and there I sat. I couldn't have been happier! Our waiter, an older gentleman named Pat, was the absolute best! He was just the spice the 'ideal moment' needed. We had actually met him earlier out on the street when we had hailed to him about where a good place to eat would be. He was friendly and funny, but even more, he was a jokester! He fit right in with us! He and my husband did a few 'blarney' rounds and he eventually steered us in the direction of John Benny's to eat. Once we got there and went to order, we found out that he worked there! lolol  The kids went rounds with him as well on the milk as it was listed as 1/2 pint in the menu.  The kids asked him 'how much is a 1/2 pint?' and his answer was 'uh, it's about that much!' He was a real character and a pleasure to know! The pub owner's wife, Elis, is an Irish Musician/Artist and regularly plays there in the pub and has her own cd's out...we were priviledged enough to see her perform and get one of her cd's!The food was gorgeous too...especially the Irish Stew and the Bacon and Cabbage!

Our 2nd day landed us in downtown Dingle poking around the Oceanworld Aquarium. While small, it is one of the best we've ever been in.  http://dingle-oceanworld.ie/index.html   The ladies that greet you in the shop area were very friendly and helpful to us in general and about information concerning other things around town. We went through the doors into the aquarium area and were frankly surprised at how wonderfully decorated it was. The atmosphere was perfect and changed throughout...there was a surge tank with a waterfall, an Amazonian Display (the walls, the ceiling and the marine life!), Tropical Marine tanks, Shark tanks, Jelly Fish, Seah Horses, a Deep Water Native Tank, an Ocean Tunnel and our very favorite, the Touch Pool! The Touch Pool has starfish, rays, urchins, crabs, sharks, flounder and other stuff in it. One flounder was as big as my youngest son...it was unreal! It would come up to the surface and you could rub your hand along its side. If you leaned over the water, the rays would come up and give you a 'salty kiss'! **PUCKER UP!!** It was totally gross and we, of course, did it over and over screaming every time about how it was yucky! lolol We stayed there for hours and when we finally came out, we were soaking wet, but thoroughly happy with time--and money, well spent!

Walking down the street, we ventured out onto the pier at the Dingle Harbor. The kids posed with 'Fungi' the Dolphin...we looked at the various boats that were docked... Moving on down the street, we found the Visitor Center--great place for souvenirs, friendly staff. Across the street is a little cafe that fries Snickers, Mars Bars and a few other candy bars---'dee-lish'!!! A must try! A little further down is John Benny's and if you keep walking you run into the various shops. We did some shopping at the local grocer and found, up around the corner, a sweater store. The Irish Woolen Shop is a wonderful store. Rory, the owner and very nice man, gifted us with the history of the Aran Sweaters and about the area itself. It really was a rare treat to find out so much information from a local person...things you don't get from a brochure. We stayed there for at least an hour or two and by the time we did leave, we all had a sweater or two, a cap or jewelry and were some 800 euro lighter in the wallet!! 8-)

On Wednesday of our vacation, we went out to the Ventry area and did some horseback riding!! Yippee! We did this at Long's Horseriding and Trekking Centre -- http://www.longsriding.com/ and we had a total blast!! I, of course, was scared to death, but the rest of my family took to riding like they'd been doing it all their life! I was on an Irish Cob named 'Bob the Builder'...a lovely guy, mild-mannered, but huge! I've really never been around horses so I wasn't exactly, shall we say, you know, well...the most, comfortable! lololol The funny thing was, neither had the rest of my family, except for my husband and oldest son, but they all still took right to riding like ducks to water! I was so proud of them as they all went riding off down the trail.
I was yelling and bolstering them on...shouts of encouragement...as the guide held onto the bridle of my horse and led us down the path!!! lolololol  That was one of the wonderful things about Longs....they cater to people of all abilities. Since I was the weak link in the group, the rest decided to keep it to a slow walk through the trails. **Awwwww...that was sweet of them!*** Being on horseback and taking a slow walk through the Irish countryside was a breathtaking experience. The beauty was truly beyond words and it felt somewhat surreal. At one point, we were up on a slight peak and in one direction, we could look and see a beach area with the sun cascading over the strand. In the other direction, we saw hills of green with interwoven stone fences. It was just a magnificent view wherever we looked! Once we got back to the stables, we had pics made on the horses---my horse, Bob the Builder and Olyvia's horse, Chloe, didn't like each other and we happen to be next to each other so they started to fight! What are the odds!? The guide had to come and help us because we're both just 'greenhorns'! lol   So, if you go, don't let Chloe and Bob the Builder get next to each other!! As an added bonus,one of the owner's cows had also just given birth to twin calves the night before, one was black and one was red and he let us see them--that was great too!

Later that day, we drove around the Ring of Kerry. It was beautiful but I must admit that it didn't hold up against the raw beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. The Ring is 'smooth' and 'polished' whereas the Peninsula is rugged and even savage in some areas. I guess it's what appeals to you most. I always heard of the Ring of Kerry so of course I wanted to drive it-see it-experience it, but the Peninsula was the true jewel in my opinon--as far as the views of the ocean. We did enjoy all the towns along the Ring---Killorglin, Caherciveen, Glenbeigh, Waterville, Sneem and Killarney...we got out and explored around them and the Killarney Lakes! A wonderful way to wrap up the day.

On Thursday, the 9th, we drove out to Blarney Castle --http://www.blarneycastle.ie/  YES, we had to kiss the blarney stone! It didn't matter how many mouths had gone before us, we still wanted to do it! lol   The kids were beside themselves with excitement and, to be truthful, so were Wes and I. The place was amazing! Blarney Castle was a treasure itself, but then it also offered the Gardens, Blarney House, the Stone and Rock Close to explore as well. So, we thoroughly explored Rock Close and wandered the grounds...gorgeous! We climbed up the castle to the top and made our way to the Blarney Stone--traditionally believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all who kiss it! The stone is set in the wall below the battlements and to kiss it, you have to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. A guide is there to help you as you can see below. Afterwards, we drove down to Cork and explored there for awhile and then went back to Dingle to wrap up the day.

On Friday, we spent the day in Tralee...poking around town. Tralee has loads of things to see and the restaurant that we ate in (can't remember the name...want to say it was "Harry's") had

scrumptious food and a very pleasing atmosphere. In the evening, we went to the greyhound races at the
Kingdom Stadium -- http://www.greyhound-data.com/stadia.htm?land=ie&st=12022  ! Another 'first' in our new and exciting repetoir of adventure! Being the amateurs that we were, we lost all the money that we bet, but it sure was fun! 8-o  As the last of the greyhounds were coming off the track and people were shaking hands and tossing their booklets into the trash, we turned to walk toward the exit gate.

Everyone had had a rousing good time....betting money, losing money, paying money, loaning money, winning money. Now, it was time to go home...unfortunately, in more ways than one. 

That night we drove back to Dingle, and the next morning would find us saying our 'goodbyes' to Ireland. We had a fabulous time!
Éireann go Brách!!

Notre week-end en Suisse!

We decided that since we had a few days off, we'd throw some kids in a bag, no wait, throw some clothes in a bag and load the kids in the car, yes, and head out to Schweiz! Right! Now we're cooking! We drove out of town...the kids with their pillow and blankets, me with mine and of course, my handy-dandy book on Switzerland! Wes, bless him, was dutifully driving 'the sub'. As per our tradition, we try to learn about a place before going to it, so as we're journeying onward, I'm reading aloud to the kidlings and they are ooh-ing and ahh-ing about different facts about the Swiss Miss...things like all the tunnels are lined with explosives incase another country attacks, they can blow the tunnels to keep them out...and all the houses have bunkers to sustain them in case of being at war...the reason you see CH on their tags (country code) etc. is because it stands for Confoederatio Helvetica which is the formal Latin name of Switzerland! All interesting tidbits that give you a unique view of the country you're going into...a new way to see it!

One thing I've really tried to teach my children is that while it's fine to get a sourvenir and shop a bit, culture is the point! Now don't get me wrong, I do like to shop some and I always want a token of where I've been, but what gets me going is knowing what has gone on in a place, knowing about the people...making it come alive! That is what I want my children to experience. So, we read about places, we watch shows about the places, we talk to people about the places and like now, we go to the places! Now, when we get there, the things we see and do have much more meaning to us! So, we get to Biel and it is beautiful! ..peaceful...just what we need!!

We check into our hotel and the staff is friendly, the rooms are clean...we have to 2 rooms, which we have gotten used to finally! lolol  In 2004, Gunnar, our youngest was 9 years old. Now, I was in one room fiddling with the TV and getting iller by the minute becaue the TV wouldn't come on much less turn station or anything else.  In the other room, the older boys had at least gotten the TV on, but that's all...they couldn't get it to change channels or do volume...but it was on. Meanwhile, I'd gotten fed up and threw the remote on the bed. Gunnar came out of the bathroom, jumped up on the bed, grabbed the remote and **BAM**. In less than 1/2 a split second, he had the TV on, flipping the channels and had it to his fave cartoon and laughing it up! I walked back over to where he was, the other boys walked into my room...Gunnar is oblivous....just laughing away. The rest of us are just standing there with our mouths open and then we all start talking at once about 'how did you do that'...blah blah blah!! lololololol So the 9 year old boy genius had to show the rest of us how to work the TV. What a way to start the vay-cay! So, on that embarrassing note, we decided it was better to get out of the hotel room and scope out the town! :D

Wandering down to the harbor area, we saw several anchored boats, a pier and a restaurant. The pier led out a ways where you could fish or have a lazy stretch and read a book! Over in the grassy area, people were playing soccer; on the sidelines they were watching, laughing and enjoying each other's company. After meandering all around, we finally strolled on over to the restaurant, Joran! Since it was already late in the evening, we decided to eat and get back to the room.

Waking up to a beautiful Swiss Sunshiney morn, we popped down for a yummy breakfast and then out the door to snoop around Bern! One of the best features of this trip was that there was no push to do anything...we simply were just moving at a leisurely pace...it was glorious!

We parked at the train station with loads of brightly colored graffiti marking the spot (where we parked! lol) and we walked into town! Of course, one of the first things we checked off the proverbial list was a Swiss Pocket Knife for the boys...8D  Bern, the capital of Switzerland and founded by Duke Berchtold V of Zaehringen in 1191, is represented by the Bear! When the Duke was building the city, he swore to name it after the first animal he brought back from the hunt...and that animal turned out to be a bear! You'll see the bear in statue form, on flags and in the ever popular bear pit! We absolutely loved it!!!!  We bought food there at the little concession area that sells 'bear food' and dropped food down to her. Feeding the bear was so fun! The kids were squealing with delight, laughing because they got the fruit in her mouth....it was just a very enjoyable experience!

Walking up and down the streets thru the new/old town was a pleasurable experience. The water that ran thru it (Aare River?) was beautiful and we stood there for a time just to watch it! Ahhhh...peace and tranquility! Heading on down the marktgasse, we marvelled at the many statues and local threads of history.  Speaking of history, Albert Einstein lived right here...or there...in that house on Kramgasse 49 from 1902 to 1909! WOW! In that very apartment is where he developed his theory of relativity and the law of the equivalence of matter and energy!!!!  DOUBLY WOW!!! Now, that apartment is a museum!!! **eyes doing that exaggerated blink** 

About this time, the familia is worn down and giving in to base needs...food, food and oh, um, food! So, we found a local restaurant and plop in for the yummies! Wrapping up the day, we find ourselves in Zurich tomorrow and then heading home!

Heading home, we told the kids we'd swing in to Zurich (ok, it was a bit out of our way, but who's counting, eh?!) and take them to the zoo! Our kids--this a parental brag moment, are wonderful travellers....not usually whiny or things like that, we entertain each other and have a good time of it! So, here we are in the sub and we play some sort of game, sing a song, do something to pass the time--of course we look at the scenery and yell if there is anything of unusual appearance!

The trip to the zoo was rather uneventful and all of us, except poor Wes--it was admittedly rude of us, but we saw no way around, mind you as he was driving, decided to take a nap. When we got into the outskirts of Zurich, I woke up and took a few snapshots, but nothing of real spec-tacularity...but still, it was Zurich!

I figure I can get some real shots once we leave the zoo!

  

We arrive at the zoo...lovely little jungle area....the kids are excited...us too...we go in...take some fun shots...lovely critters abound...frogs, snakes, the penquins SO ROCKED--we stayed there quite awhile. They dove and dove on the rocks...great fellows..knocking each other off, it was hilarious. 'Nyhoo...I love ele-PHAMPS and ca-MELLAS....and I was so happy to find them and oh OH OH...MY CAMERA DIED!!!! NO WAY!!!!!  I mean, did you notice how the shots just stopped? Yes, well, the old battery just kicked up its heels and said no more! What kind of respect is that? The nerve.... I was just plain sick to realize that not only could I not finish photo'ing the zoo, but I couldn't photo ZURICH!!!! **forearm is now thrown across the forehead and the intense possibility of a swoon is at hand***  Then that nagging little voice that always wants to intrude began to tell me that had I recharged the battery when we were at the hotel this wouldn't have happened. THE ABSOLUTE INSOLENCE!!! I clamped down on that nonsense so hard my head spun...oh yes..lolololololololol----oh the pain of admitting that it was my fault hurt more than I wanted to say. OH well, gave me a reason to have to visit Zurich again, right?! Right!

At least we had a wonderful time at the zoo! No more pics, but a great time!! :))

Belemmeringen, Kaas en Corrie Tien Boom in Nederland!

WOW!! We had so much fun staying at the Clara Maria! http://www.claramaria.nl/?lang=en  It's a charming cheese farm and clog factory southwest of Amsterdam that was just the perfect place for our family to stay and enjoy the delights of Holland. On this trip, it was my mom, dad, my husband, me and our 2 younger boys...our older son and daughter stayed in Germany because of football and homecoming events *grin*.  Anyway, upward and onward...

The countryside was beautiful and I absolutely have a thing for windmills....there's just something so peaceful about them. I especially like to watch them when the sun is coming up or going down and the rays are shining through the blades...spectacular! Out at the farm, we unpacked and traipsed around the grounds just looking our fill & taking in the scenery. The boys had a blast running all over the grounds playing 'farmers golf' with wooden clogs on poles for clubs and big rubber balls. Later they visited the cows and drilled the young man working there for every drop of knowledge they could drain out of him! :)  We all played with the baby calves/goats and on the huge bales of hay...I don't think I've ever seen bales that big in my life!

The house was old and charming and the owner was friendly and entertaining. One very special thing was that he invited us into his personal area where we sat and talked with him about the area and different things. He told us all sorts of stuff that we found funny and useful. For me, I find it is a time such as this that makes a trip worthwhile more than anything else.

...strangers meeting, sharing and appreciating each other. This gentleman owed us nothing but took his time to tell us stories of his life, of his land and of his house. What a privilege that he would share that with us!!

When it was time to eat, we ventured out and found ourselves in Amsterdam. OH! I forgot to mention that we were driving an 2004 Suburban in downtown Amsterdam!!!! Yeh, an oh so wrong move! *YIKES* There were bicycles EVERYWHERE! We were afraid we were going to hit someone because our car was SOOOO BIGGGG and the roads were sooooo smallllll and bicycles were e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e!!! The more we tried to get back out of the city, the more we seemed to get deeper in it...like a spider's web of bicycles! lololol  Not to mention the one way streets! Man, it was tight and harrowing to say the least, but my man, being the excellent superhero of driving that he is, got us out of their without hitting anything or anybody!!! He soo rocked (and still does! ;-P)

We finally ended up back in Amstelveen at a restaurant called the Silversant http://www.silversant.nl/

and had a delicious dinner in a very friendly atmosphere. A nice place to relax after the 'squeeze' in  Amsterdam! lol After dinner, we headed back to the farm to tuck in for the night. The guest portion of the house is upstairs and consists of about 5 or 6 rooms, a commons area and a bathroom. The commons area was rich in old memorbilia--pictures, books, miscellaneous objects/antiques. Speaking of antiques, the bed in our room was what they called a 'dating bed'. It was like two twin beds fused together with the middle still having the rails. I'm not sure how correct my understanding is of this, but I think a partition went into the middle of the bed and the man and woman could lay there, one on each side separated by the partition and get to know each other but maintain propriety. Well, there was no partition that night for us, but the center railing slots were still there & that made it rather uncomfortable! lol
But, as I'm an optimist, it was worth the experience of saying that I've slept in an antique 'dating bed'! 8-))))  

The day couldn't have started out better...the breakfast table was spread with several types of cheeses, fruits, breads, eggs...on and on...it was delicious and we absolutely enjoyed it! We tried all the cheeses, which I might add, if I thought I loved cheese before, I was in heaven now!! I wasn't crazy about the nutty cheese, but as for the spicy, the butter, the tomato/basil and the garlic cheese---BRING IT ON!!!

Having such a keen interest in the cheese, we made our way out to the cheese area of the farm where Chace and Gunnar got all gussied up and jumped right in and made their own cheese!! WAY TO GO BOYS! A really neat experience for them! After that, we all went to the clog factory and had a tour there. We saw how and where the clogs were made and loads of different types of clogs. They were all so pretty!


Right after lunch, it was time to drive to Haarlem. It was fairly close, so the ride was short. We quickly found the Ten Boom House and we were thrilled to realize that an English tour would be starting soon. For those that aren't familiar with Corrie Ten Boom, she and her family hid Jews and others from the Nazis. She, and her family eventually did end up in a concentration camp where her sister died, but she was released and continued to help people in need. Always, she gave praise to Jesus. She truly was an example of hope, kindness and love...a light in the darkness. There are books in the library and movies out about her life. Their house, with the watch repair shop in front, there in Haarlem is now a museum and definitely worth the visit!
Our guide through the museum was very passionate and brought the Ten Boom family alive through her retelling of events that took place so long ago.

We learned about the Ten Boom's themselves, the people that they helped, the signals that were used and the constant fear of discovery.  One of the really interesting parts was being able to go into Corrie's bedroom and see the hiding place in the wall where she hid Jews. The cover wall has been removed now so that you can see inside the hiding place. It was so small. It was awful to think people had to hide there, but also wonderful to know that they could, and did. It was a very moving experience.

After touring the house part, we went into the watch shop and it is currently still a watch/jewelry business. My dad bought my mom several different pieces and a lovely watch--to have a watch from the Ten Boom's Watch Shop...Wow! Outside on the street, the boys were being entertained by a street performer...he was quite good and full of himself--cheeky fellow! ;-)    We made it out and into Grote Markt and rambled around thru the various wares...I love doing that! Gorgeous view of the church there too! Lovely day spent with my parents!
Meanwhile, we head back to the farm and get ready for tomorrow...we're going to see horses be milked out at the Riga Ranch!!

On Sunday of our trip, we headed out to Riga Ranch. The owner/host out at Clara Maria recommended Riga Ranch and his daughter runs it so he knew we would really have a good time! At Riga Ranch, they milk horses! That's right, HORSES, I know, right, it took me a moment to wrap my head around it too!! We'd never seen or heard of that, so this was a real treat for us. Their foals remain with them for six weeks and after that they only nurse at night. Then the horses are milkes four times a day and the foal nurses only at night. This way, the mare continues to produce milk for up to 8 full months! Anyway, the horses at the Riga Ranch are mostly Haflingers and they originated in zuid-Tirol (place of Hafling), Bavaria and Austria.

When we got there we walked into a huge barn area where tons of gorgeous horses were happily entertaining a ba-zillion people! We eagerly threw ourlselves into the fray and wandered from horse to horse! Lovely coats, assessing eyes, twitching ears and flaring nostrils....then, the little beauty was moving right in on my and trying to eat his shirt!!!! She moved fast that one, he didn't even know her name! lololol  We all loved the horses...and as you can see, the boys really loved them. The more they fed the horses, Gunnar's shirt slowly changed from white to brown....eeeeewwwww!!! lololololol

After pulling all the straw from my sweater, we meandered on over to the big barn/warehouse area that was the store. Wow, it was alot bigger than it looked and really cute inside too. There were kosmetics (for face and body) with horse milk, liquor and chocolate made with horse milk...just a vast assortment of products made from horse milk----who'd a thunk it, eh? lol  Ah, well...we perused and oooh'd and ahhhh'd, bought a few things and of course, Chace had to have his picture made with the pretty owner! *grin*

Once we left there, we drove around the area and saw some of the prettiest little houses I'd seen....just b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!!! A very delightful trip to be sure! :)

Cymru, y Ddraig Goch ddyry gychwyn...{Wales, the Red Dragon will show the way!!}

Funny thing...Wes texted Gunnar & said we were going to 'Wells'. Gunnar laffed & laffed because his dad spelled it 'Wells'. He wrote back to his dad and said "Dad, I believe you meant we were going to 'Whales'!!" Once I got a hold of the messages, I collapsed into a heap of uncontrollable fits, whooping and hollering, of unconcealed hilarity! Once I was able to catch my breath, I pointed out to both 'men' that we were actually going to 'WALES'! *guffawing until my ribs hurt!!* They both sneered at me and walked off saying 'Well!'....lololol   *Ahem!* Okay, our trip to Wales!

SNOWDONIA, Northern Wales

We decided to drive our Passat--gets around 55 mpg and Wales is relatively close! My first thought was to go to Cardiff...after all, that is where TORCHWOOD was filmed and I love that show! :D  But, some friends of ours own a cottage in Northern Wales, in the Snowdonian Mtns. so we decided to stay there.

The road up the mountain to the cottage was beautiful but treacherous! It was a 2-way that barely allowed 1 car to pass...any deviation and you'd were eaten alive by the unforgiving stone walls that escorted you up the mountain! But, I have to say, those stone fences were one of my faves!



road to the cottage



sunset through a stone fence

We explored the mountain trails and enjoyed the sheep, the sunset and the stone fences...which of course volunteered to be our 'stage' for the afternoon! lol



Our stone 'stage'   



me & my babycakes...and the sheep! lol



Hmmmm....I'm thinking, I'm thinking and *SHAZZAM!!!!*  I have a genealogical tie to Caernarfon Castle in Caernarfon, Wales!! How perfect!!! Our friends’ cottage was in close proximity to Caernarfon, so not only would we get to explore a new place, but see a bit of our own heritage!!!  How exciting!!!! Off we went!! :D

Our first day found us marching upon Caernarfon Castle, in Caernarfon, Wales, to stake our claim – www.visitcaernarfon.com ! WOW! The castle, marina and town were picturesque and I was as giddy as a kid going to the fair! The castle was huge, to say the least, with lots of rooms and gorgeous foto opportunities.   It was indeed a ‘guardian’…a symbol of protection for the town. The harbor was

peaceful …dotted with many colorful boats aimlessly bobbing on the water.



us at Caernarfon Castle       

 

Caernarfon marina



The friendly little town had its own vibrance and we were thrilled to discover its secrets! When our tummy’s rumbled, we found sustenance at the Black Boy Inn to be more than passing fare—DEE-LISH!

On the above web site, you can find directions and most any other info that you need to spend an incredible day in Caernarfon!

The second day welcomed us in the town of Beaumaris!  http://www.beaumaris.org.uk/ ;  http://www.beaumaris.com/;    http://www.anglesey.info/Beaumaris.htm ;

Okay…Caernarfon was fabulous, but Beaumaris was FANTABULISTICAL!!!!  Beaumaris boasted a castle too, but on this day, we decided we were more entranced by the bay. So much so, that we took a cruise on the Menai Strait out to see the Puffins on Puffin Island & the young seals that played around it.



Menai Strait, Beaumaris Marina



Puffin Island  

Seal play

After our cruise, we rambled through the town making friends on every store front! We even made friends with a famous Afghan Hound, Ann, and her owner, Cathy. I must confess it was an instant love connection between all of us and the dog! She was just tooooo loveable!

Ann, the famous Afghan Hound, Chace, Gunnar & Olyvia

 The town was most surprising and we especially found the church too good to pass up for a foto…the church and the castle!

              Beaumaris Parish Church         



Beaumaris Castle



The last day of our time in Wales was spent in Llanberis…we went to the slate factory—took a train around the mountain and then found an oasis within the mountain!   http://www.llanberis.com/ ; http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate

On our way in to Llanberis, we spotted Dolbadarn Castle (it’s sitting in the background in the middle of the picture)…

                                                                               

Once to the slate mines, we got on the train and conquered the mountain!!

After our train ride, we were getting ready to leave and spotted a narrow opening in the mountain wall around us! We decided to meander over to it and lo and behold, we found an oasis in the middle of the mountain! It was absolutely stunning…an utter ‘rainforest’ in the middle of what appeared to be a crater sitting smack in the middle of the mountain! What a surprise!!!!



on the 'slate' train    



hidden Oasis in the mtn.

There are a few other attractions around the areas as well…Penrhyn Castle and Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber.

*If you’d like to see more fotos of our trip to Wales, you can find them in my FB foto albums!

Hwyl am rwan!  { Bye for now! }