April 2016 – North Wales
Gerry managed to arrange his biopsy at short notice and so we set off for a hastily arranged stay in Bala, North Wales. On Sunday we drove up from Fairford in glorious weather and visited Powis Castle for the second time in a year.
Our visit more than made up for last year’s when the weather had been so bad that we didn’t get the chance to walk around the gardens at all.
We were greeted by the photo-savvy peacock that seemed to seek out the camera and stand still whilst the photo was taken.
The gardens were delightful and although it was probably not the best time of the year to visit them, the potential was obvious.
From Powis
we headed towards Bala and found ourselves at Lake Vyrnwy.
Neither Gerry nor Annie had visited before and we had a pleasant walk below the dam before driving around the lake.
Bala was as delightful as ever and we enjoyed an evening stroll around part of the lake.
Monday was cool but dry and we set off to visit Penrhyn Castle near Bangor (National Trust).
Penrhyn is a very impressive 19th-century neo-Norman castle crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, much elaborate carving of stone with similarly elaborate plasterwork. We were also fascinated to find an industrial railway museum in the stable block.
From Penrhyn, we drove a short way up the coast to Conwy and visited another National Trust property, Aberconwy house – a medieval merchant’s house in the centre of the town. Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area. We also had a quick look at the old suspension bridge built around 1840 and one of the first road suspension bridges in the world.
Our next stop was another National Trust property situated a short way down the Conwy Valley. Not a house but the wonderful Bodnant Garden.
We thoroughly enjoyed the brilliant colours of the magnolia trees rhododendrons, daffodils and many other plants.
It was made even more pleasant because there were so few people around and the weather was just right for a gentle walk.
We were able to meander through much of the grounds but by no means all (another visit will be required). We did find a weir and then a lovely waterfall.
The 
weather was even better on Tuesday as we headed for Porthmadog and a trip on the Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon. Porthmadog harbour looked wonderful in the morning sun when we had first arrived in the town in time for a pleasant walk before getting on the train.
We treated ourselves to an upgrade and enjoyed sitting in the comfortable armchairs for the 2 hour 20 minute journey through some spectacular countryside with frequent views of Snowden and its snow covered summit.
As usual, photographs taken through the windows failed to do the scenery justice! We both thoroughly enjoyed the trip and almost wanted it to go on longer.
We took a short walk around Caernarfon’s pedestrian area which had a pleasant view of the castle before catching a bus back to Porthmadog.
The bus may have been a great deal quicker but it was noisier and far less comfortable than the train and the views less spectacular.
From Porthmadog we drove back to Bala via Harlech and Dolgellau arriving in time to go for a walk around the northern part of the town and lake.
The next morning the weather was even better as we, rather reluctantly, set off to return home. Our journey took us through mid-Wales and across into Shropshire and the ruins of Clun Castle.
From there we headed to Stokesay Castle near Craven Arms. To quote English Heritage, Stokesay is the finest and best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England. The castle was constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, who at the time was one of the richest men in England. Much of the castle is still as it was with the great hall unchanged over 700 years. The 17th century gatehouse is quite a contrast with its almost garish yellow colour. The English Heritage audio guide was particularly good.
What a great few days made better by the lovely weather.
