Staying Close to Camp - 9th Aug ‘23

So the forecast was for grey skies interspersed with a bit of drizzle - nope! A grey and chilly morning but a beautiful hot and sunny afternoon!

The site showers are very pleasant so the ablutions are going to be very pleasurable this week. Charlie had his 40 mins, I had my 20 mins and the Twinnies were threatened with all sorts unless the brushed their teeth. They didn’t! Thank goodness I’m only their grandad - personal grooming for 8 year old boys is definitely above my pay grade!

After a substantial but modest breakfast we headed for Harlech - by car. Castle Hill seemed a bit daunting this morning!

We parked up at an empty long stay car park and by 11.30 we were walking through a lovely wooded area to come out at the centre of the village. 

The Castle has changed since my last visit.  They have a posh new entrance, shop and cafe. Needless to say we had purchased 2 wooden swords before we left. 

The top battlements were closed for maintenance work which was slightly disappointing. Although, given Kim’s dread of Twinnies and heights, I’m sure she would have had a wry smile. And we did get a 10% discount so …

We had a nice poke around. Not as special as Manorbier last year but we had fun. Built by Edward I in 1283, Harlech then fell to Owain Glyndŵr in 1404 and he set up a Welsh Parliament for a few glorious years until the English got it back and Owain disappeared?!

After the castle we wasted an hour driving to Porthmadog in search of a new TV / DVD. No luck - but I did get some new fuses!!

Once back in Harlech we headed back to Brunnehilda and then on to the beach. Harry was a bit upset as he didn’t want to get Sandy! A bit of a pre-requisite when you come on a summer beach holiday!! Eventually he agreed to go with his socks and trainers on but by the time we got to the beach he seemed to have forgotten his sand based anxieties and threw him self into the sand castle building and paddling activities!

We had a very pleasant hour of so - I even managed a very quick swim while the Twinnies frolicked in the surf. Charlie remained fully clothed and on his mobile. To be fair though, there was no teenage angst and he was happy to see his brothers and his grandad enjoy themselves while his mind was on higher (and cooler!) things!

After a cold drink back at Brunnehilda we headed out for an evening ride. I wanted to rekindle some childhood memories and drive the back road between Llanfair and Cwm  Bychan. We had planned to stop by the river for a paddle but it didn’t happen - “we” were getting restless and hungry!

We boys seemed to enjoy the very wild, steep, narrow and windy road though. Fabulous views! Charlie obligingly opened the 7 or 8 gates en route!

We ended up at the Vic at Llanbedr for a very pleasant evening meal in the beer garden. Although, as usual, Finners didn’t really eat much of his.

Back home to Brunnehilda for 3 games of Sevens (modesty permits me to say who won 2 of them) and a game of flick football - here again, the same modesty gets in the way of a full report. Please don’t judge this 64 year old on thrashing his 3 grandchildren at bedtime games - I’m imparting valuable life lessons!?

Blogging and drifting off to sleep with the regular vibrating of a sleeping Charlie’s phone receiving SnapChat notifications - I counted, there was about one every 2 seconds!! Strangely soothing but not quite as romantic as distant train whistles or crickets “cricketing” (?, sorry don’t know the correct verb?).

The weather is due to be good tomorrow so we’re expecting rain!!