UK Trip - Day 8 - Wales

This morning we got up and walked down to pick up our rental car. Our Volkswagen Golf was upgraded to a very posh Mercedes. Rog and I were very excited because we were going to be the drivers. Once we were kitted out in the luxury to which I want to become accustomed, we started out on our tour of northern Wales.

Our first stop was Conwy where we saw the castle and Plas Mawr, a nobleman's house restored to its former state. Then more driving along the coast. We saw Penrhyn castle from the outside and then stopped at a pub [#15] in Bangor for lunch. After lunch, we crossed onto the Isle of Anglesey, toured Beaumaris castle and then stopped in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. It is the longest place name in Britain and translates as "The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio's of the red cave".

Next we drove down to Caernarfon and another castle - better another castle than another church. After the castle, Rog and I stepped into a pub and watched the last 20 minutes of the FA cup final. It was nil-all after full time and we were convinced that we didn't want to stay for extra time.

Then we drove into Snowdonia national park - and right past (under) Mt Snowdon, Wales' highest point - to Beddgelert. Beddgelert is a town, named after the grave of the faithful hound Gelert. Gelert was killed by his master after the master though the dog had tried to hurt his infant son. Turns out the dog and baby were all bloody because the dog had just saved the baby from a wolf attack. Unfortunately the master found this out too late for Gelert. I have nothing nice to say about a man who can't trust his own dog. The town, however, is quite nice.

Next we drove to Tremadog, where all the hotels were full so we backtracked a few miles to a hostel. The proprietor was making fun of our posh car as he made us chose which couple got the double bed and which one got the bunks. He also suggested a restaurant which we took him up on. It was busy when we went in, but they suggested a quick drink at the pub [#16] next door while they got a table ready. We took them up on their suggestion and dinner was excellent.

Today Shanon discovered the Purple Moose Brewery and their dark ale: The Dark Side of the Moose. Moose in welsh is mws, with a line over the w.