All around YnysMôn

Shh - don't say anything too loud, but we got away with no coats again today!  A few spots on the way to Newborough, and it rained overnight, but nothing today, and the sun did try and shine! Firstly though - did we cheat??  Yesterday Phil and Carol couldn't park where we were supposed to be collected, so picked us up about 200 yards from the end; today we were dropped off at the spot where we were originally going to be picked up, and so missed the connecting 200 yards; I don't think anyone was too worried though. Next we have Walter sporting a new rucksack; having ordered it online and had it delivered to the house, he says his old one was very uncomfortable. Sculptures at the start of the walk depicting the marram grass that grows on sand dunes. Our walk today was about 14 miles, and to start with was lovely - it got a little more mundane later.  As we started we were walking through sand dunes and forest then out onto sandy beach.  There was a small...

Today, another nice day, not too hot, not too cold, but a warm gentle breeze; a few spots of rain at lunch time, but I didn't need get my coat out.  About a 12.5 mile walk with not too much in the way of hills - great! We were joined today by Alan's sister Celia and Joanne her daughter (Alan's niece). They enjoyed the day and Joanna may join us another day. We started the day by going to the railway station at  llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch  , which as you will all know is the longest place name in the UK. All very commercial!   There is also a WI (women's institute) property which was the very first branch in the UK.  We then drove a short distance to the Britannia bridge where we finished yesterday.   Shortly into the walk we came across a statue of Nelson which is there as he considered the Menai straits to be the most difficult stretch of water he has had to navigate. Although this walk is s...

Carol and Phil after dropping us off at Penmon. Another lovely walk along the Menai straites; quite a lot actually on the beach again, but this time there were more stones - very hard going for a while.  Just over 11 miles today, with no rain although it did look as though it was going to at one stage. We walked quite a long way on stones like this! Walking into Beaumaris, you can see the large castle  We were able to stop for coffee today in Beaumaris - very civilised.  After coffee there was quite a steep climb up by a golf course.  Carol and Phil also did a circular 5 mile walk from Beaumaris by the castle and up by another golf course. Looking back towards Beaumaris from steep hill!  We came a little inland and then headed back down towards the Menai bridge. The Menai bridge designed by Thomas Telford in 1826   We went under the bridge and then further along the coast to get to the Britannia bridge which carries the main road ...

What a difference a day makes - slightly warmer weather, no rain, no wind, not too much sun, but very pleasant for walking.  We started from the beach at red wharf Bay, so the mini bus dropped us there, it was only about a mile.  Beautiful scenery all around here.  We actually walked on the beach, and apparently we should be ok for tides this week, as if it's in then we have to take a detour. Just to introduce everyone - same crew as last year :-  Phil and Carol in charge of the mini bus, Jacqui in charge of the camera, Tim in charge of not getting us lost (more about that later!)  Walt 2nd in command for not getting us lost, Pat and me in charge of ordering food, Lyn in charge of her very heavy rucksack that contains anything that anyone should need, Stuey in charge of skiing - although hopefully we won't need his skills, Steve W in charge of flower identification, Steve Y booked all the accommodation etc.  Alan is head chef again!  The ac...

We had a good journey up despite the wind and the rain, the mini bus was buffeted about a bit.  Stopped a couple of times for coffee and lunch and arrived about 5pm.  It's a nice house with plenty of room and a massive dining room table, it just needs a bit more heat but hopefully we'll get that sorted soon.  Phil, Carol and Lyn were on cooking duty, a spaghetti bolognaise  and crumbles made with Lyn's homegrown gooseberries and rhubarb with lashings of hot custard.  Will post some pictures tomorrow.  We start walking tomorrow about a mile away from the house on the coast in a clockwise direction, and it is about 12 miles. More tomorrow, early to bed alison x

Here we are again, I can't believe it has been a whole year since we walked Devon coast to coast!  This time we are heading in a northerly direction to north Wales to Anglesey or Ynys Môn in Welsh.  I understand it is about 130 miles all around and we will take 11 days to walk it.  It also promises a few hills as it will be mainly coastal!   I wonder what the weather will be like this time; we've been so fortunate the last two times in that we have had very little rain and some sunshine.  Storm Hannah is passing through tonight and tomorrow, so hopefully after that it will be more settled. We are staying in a place called Benllech, in a large house.  Will touch in when we arrive.  Alison x