North Wales

We stayed at Y Ffor, near Pwllheli on the beautiful Llyn peninsula, visiting Snowdonia (going up Snowdon twice, once on the train then on the mountain bike), Anglesey (Beaumaris castle), Caernarfon and some of the lovel ybeaches, including Nefyn, where we had some family holidays when I was very young.

The weather was amazing: Esthers 2nd visit to Wales. Both times we had a heatwave: almost 30° and clear blue skies.

Caernarfon

Traditional & Touristy

Castell Caernarfon is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages.

Beaumaris

Unfinished masterpiece!

Beaumaris on the island of Anglesey is famous as the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece.

Snowdon

Highest peak in Wales

We went up on the Snowdon Mountain Railway in gorgeous sunshine. The next day I rode up the Llanberis path and down the Snowdon Ranger Trail in cloudy weather, but at least the rain held off til I was nearly back at Llanberis.

Nefyn

Beautiful beach

Where we spent several family holidays when I was very young: I'm not sure whether I reall remember it, or just recognise it from pictures of it in family albums!

Snowdon

The train was sold out (we were fortunate to book some of the last available tickets 2 days before): hardly surprising in view of the weather. There were a lot pf people on the train and walking up, so it was very busy at the top.

In contrast, when I cycled up the next day, it was overcast and I got there early to respect the code-of-conduct NOT to cycle between 10:00 and 17:00. I was at the summit before 09:00, and I only saw about 15 walkers & one cyclist on the way up, and even fewer on the way down. It was steep up (I had to push some of the steepest parts with loose scree) and a lovely trail down (the Ranger Path), quite technical in parts... as I was alone, discretion was the better part of valour, and I pushed down some of the steepest bits.