Coddiwomple Stardate 181111
Saturday 3rd November and time to say goodbye to Bruce. Stan was kind to us and drove us to the Enterprise Car Hire in Dumfries. It was a very wet day and Sharon & I appreciated the lift.
Our car this time was a Nissan Duke. We had choices of cars again and I knew Sharon would choose the Duke. She just loves the funky shape of them. Now that we have been driving one I don't think she would buy one. They look reasonably large on the outside but far less room than the mini we drove. At least it is higher off the ground and we can drive over cow pats instead of through them like the mini.
Being wet we just drove to our accommodation for the night near Cockermouth just on the outside of the Lakes District. Before we arrived at the Guest House for the night we stopped at Sainsbury in Cockermouth for food. I quickly remembered we were now in England and everywhere you go you have to pay for parking. Even at some supermarkets. They had one ticket machine. Rain was pouring down and I'm queued up waiting to purchase a ticket for a minimum of $2.50. By the time I got the ticket, walked back to the car, enter the supermarket I was soaking wet and cursing England and just wanted to be back in Thornhill.
When we arrived at the Guest House it wasn't far to walk to the Pheasant Inn. I left Sharon behind and went insearch of an Ale. As you may have worked out by now, Sharon and I have no idea what we are doing day to day. We make it up on the day or try and get some idea the night before. So that is how I spent my time at an old English pub enjoying my ale and researching things to do for the next day.
We have been to the Lakes District twice before. Once on our bus tour, the other, same holiday but we went back there with Sharon's cousin Nat & Cam and spent time around the Lakes District. I didn't want to repeat what we had seen so my itinerary was, first was to go to Moss Force (Force means waterfall). I decided to take the back roads there and was rewarded by some spectacular mountains and smaller waterfalls. Moss force is one of many falls in Lakes District. They are one of the highest and most accessible. We then went onto Hill Top the home of Beatrice Potter. Hill Top was the first farm she bought in the Lakes District. When she passed away in December 1943 she owned 14. She left all her properties to the National Trust and Hill Top was to be kept with all her possessions in it to appear as if she had just gone out for a walk. By leaving 4000 acres of land in the country side to the National Trust, it means no developers can changed the way it was when she lived in the area. We then made our way to Tower Bank Arms for lunch. The front of the pub was used in Beatrice's illustration in Jemima Puddleduck.
We stayed in the town of Barrow-in-Furness Sunday Night. Monday morning we walked to a park about 1km away. It would of been very stunning a month before. Now most of the leaves had fallen and plenty of gardener's cleaning up. We were filling in time. Our next place was Furness Abbey that did not open until 10.00am. We arrived at the Abbey just before 10.00 only to find out that it only opens on the weekend. The 7 day opening finished the day before. You could walk around the perimeter and it was still worth viewing. The Abbey dates back to 1123 and was once the second wealthiest and most powerful Cistercian monastery in the country. The Abbey was destroyed in 1537 under the order of Henry VIII. Then a drive around to Bow Bridge built in the 15th century. It is a narrow stone bridge across Mill Beck that was built as a packhorse route to Furness Abbey.
I decided to head directly to our accommodation for the night. The weather was lousy and it was a long drive. We arrived about 3.00pm at The Royal Victorian Hotel in the town of Llanberis. We had booked two nights in the Coach House. As the name implies it was originally where guests parked there horse and buggy. It took 3.5mins to walk from reception to our room through a labyrinth of walkways. After we unpacked it was a walk to Dolbadarn Castle ruins just behind the hotel. It was high up on the hill and gave stunning views over Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn (lakes). It was a fortification built by Welsh Prince Llywelyn in the 13th century. The sun was setting and just added to the beauty of the area.
Tuesday morning we went for a walk along Llyn Padarn then went over the other side of the lake to go for a 45 min mini steam train ride along the edge of the lake. The train had six carriages and three were reserved for two tour bus groups. Sharon & I had a whole carriage to ourselves. We both loved the trip and we were like little kids going from window to window to get the best views. You could see through to the other carriages with all the stony faced seniors not showing any signs of enjoyment.
Next to the train station is the National Slate Museum. I had been to a slate mine before and wasn't going to go to this one. Then I noticed free admission. Couldn't pass this up and we went in. It turned out to be a very informative museum and we spent about 2 hours here. It used to house the industrial engineering workshops for the former Dinorwig slate quarry and became a museum in 1972 after closing in 1969.
In the afternoon we decided to stay another day at the Coach House, the area has been unexpectedly filled with things to do. After we had booked for another night we went for a walk to Ceunant Mawr Waterfall. Another surprise. While we were walking through the town we came across a sign that just said waterfall. It ended up being stunning falls. By the time we arrived back at the hotel we were both quite wet from the heavy rain.
Wednesday and lousy weather again. I decided to go to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near the town of Llangollen. It was recommended by our son Jason who was in Wales earlier in the year. On the way we stopped at a few places that were picturesque. The aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford from 1795 to 1805 for canal boats. There are 18 piers made from local stone and are 126' (38.5m) high. The canal runs through an iron trough 1007' (307m) long. It is now the oldest and longest navigable aqueduct in Great Britain and the highest in the world.
After leaving Llanberis Thursday morning we headed back towards Mt Snowdon. The weather was not to bad and we managed a few stops to take in the view of Snowdon National Park. We were heading for Aberystwyth to stay the night. Instead of driving directly there, we travelled more through Snowdon National Park along the coast and stopped at Harlech Castle.
Harlech Castle is the most complete medieval castle in the world. Built up high on a spur of rock overlooking the Irish sea and completed in 1289. It was built for Edward I during his invasion of Wales 1282-1289. During the English Civil War a long siege of the castle saw its surrender on 15 March 1647 and then parliament ordered its destruction. In 1914 they started renovating the castle. The weather was lousy again. Dressed in our wet weather gear we spent plenty of time exploring these ruins. We loved wandering around all the the different towers and rooms and just overlooking the castle walls and trying to imagine being under siege 370 years ago.
We managed to fill in another great day before reaching our accommodation at about 3.30pm. We decided to book another night in Aberystwyth and leave Saturday.
Friday we drove to Devils Bridge. Another recommendation by Jason. It is a unique bridge in that it has three bridges built on top of each other. The original bridge built in the 12th century the second bridge built 1753 and the third in 1901. The original 12th century bridge is known as devils bridge. The legend of the bridge is that a farmer's wife’s cow was on the opposite side of Afon Mynach (creek) and she could not reach it. The devil appeared and told the farmer's wife he would build her a bridge that night, providing he got the first living soul that crossed the bridge. The next morning true to the devils word there was a bridge. The devil was thinking he would get the wife's soul being the first to cross. As she approached the bridge she stopped and threw a loaf of bread over the bridge. Her farm dog chased after the bread and became the first soul to cross. The devil was furious to be out smarted by the wife and never has been seen in Wales since.
To view the bridge and Devils Falls you have to pay by using 2 x 1 pound coins in a turnstile. I put in the coins pushed the turn style and it stopped half way. I managed to squeeze out regretting drinking the last few beers. Once through you get a view of the three bridges and a 45min walk takes you to the bottom of the falls and back over the other side. We have come across many Jacobs ladder's since we have been away and was fronted by yet another one. This one would put Kings Park (Perth) one to shame. It was a steep climb down with very wet steps. You then cross the creek and exit the opposite side of the falls.
We then drove to Hafod Uchtryd. Originally created by Thomas Johnes (1748-1816) as a natural park with walk trails. It is now owned by the forestry commission who have been restoring the walks. There are now 5 walks you can take. Some go to bridges, canyons and waterfalls. We spent time here doing one of the walks. Would of loved to do more. Then lunch at the Hafod Inn, then a drive to Elan Valley and many dams.
Saturday before we left Aberystwyth we went for a walk along the beach to Aberystwyth Castle ruins. There was a bit of a storm and we were fascinated by the waves crashing over the sea walls. You may think we would be getting tired of castles by now but we love the history to them all. Sharon always has a big smile when we go wandering through them all.
Then it was on to Cardigan to stay at another Guest house for the night.
Our car this time was a Nissan Duke. We had choices of cars again and I knew Sharon would choose the Duke. She just loves the funky shape of them. Now that we have been driving one I don't think she would buy one. They look reasonably large on the outside but far less room than the mini we drove. At least it is higher off the ground and we can drive over cow pats instead of through them like the mini.
Being wet we just drove to our accommodation for the night near Cockermouth just on the outside of the Lakes District. Before we arrived at the Guest House for the night we stopped at Sainsbury in Cockermouth for food. I quickly remembered we were now in England and everywhere you go you have to pay for parking. Even at some supermarkets. They had one ticket machine. Rain was pouring down and I'm queued up waiting to purchase a ticket for a minimum of $2.50. By the time I got the ticket, walked back to the car, enter the supermarket I was soaking wet and cursing England and just wanted to be back in Thornhill.
When we arrived at the Guest House it wasn't far to walk to the Pheasant Inn. I left Sharon behind and went insearch of an Ale. As you may have worked out by now, Sharon and I have no idea what we are doing day to day. We make it up on the day or try and get some idea the night before. So that is how I spent my time at an old English pub enjoying my ale and researching things to do for the next day.
We have been to the Lakes District twice before. Once on our bus tour, the other, same holiday but we went back there with Sharon's cousin Nat & Cam and spent time around the Lakes District. I didn't want to repeat what we had seen so my itinerary was, first was to go to Moss Force (Force means waterfall). I decided to take the back roads there and was rewarded by some spectacular mountains and smaller waterfalls. Moss force is one of many falls in Lakes District. They are one of the highest and most accessible. We then went onto Hill Top the home of Beatrice Potter. Hill Top was the first farm she bought in the Lakes District. When she passed away in December 1943 she owned 14. She left all her properties to the National Trust and Hill Top was to be kept with all her possessions in it to appear as if she had just gone out for a walk. By leaving 4000 acres of land in the country side to the National Trust, it means no developers can changed the way it was when she lived in the area. We then made our way to Tower Bank Arms for lunch. The front of the pub was used in Beatrice's illustration in Jemima Puddleduck.
We stayed in the town of Barrow-in-Furness Sunday Night. Monday morning we walked to a park about 1km away. It would of been very stunning a month before. Now most of the leaves had fallen and plenty of gardener's cleaning up. We were filling in time. Our next place was Furness Abbey that did not open until 10.00am. We arrived at the Abbey just before 10.00 only to find out that it only opens on the weekend. The 7 day opening finished the day before. You could walk around the perimeter and it was still worth viewing. The Abbey dates back to 1123 and was once the second wealthiest and most powerful Cistercian monastery in the country. The Abbey was destroyed in 1537 under the order of Henry VIII. Then a drive around to Bow Bridge built in the 15th century. It is a narrow stone bridge across Mill Beck that was built as a packhorse route to Furness Abbey.
I decided to head directly to our accommodation for the night. The weather was lousy and it was a long drive. We arrived about 3.00pm at The Royal Victorian Hotel in the town of Llanberis. We had booked two nights in the Coach House. As the name implies it was originally where guests parked there horse and buggy. It took 3.5mins to walk from reception to our room through a labyrinth of walkways. After we unpacked it was a walk to Dolbadarn Castle ruins just behind the hotel. It was high up on the hill and gave stunning views over Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn (lakes). It was a fortification built by Welsh Prince Llywelyn in the 13th century. The sun was setting and just added to the beauty of the area.
Tuesday morning we went for a walk along Llyn Padarn then went over the other side of the lake to go for a 45 min mini steam train ride along the edge of the lake. The train had six carriages and three were reserved for two tour bus groups. Sharon & I had a whole carriage to ourselves. We both loved the trip and we were like little kids going from window to window to get the best views. You could see through to the other carriages with all the stony faced seniors not showing any signs of enjoyment.
Next to the train station is the National Slate Museum. I had been to a slate mine before and wasn't going to go to this one. Then I noticed free admission. Couldn't pass this up and we went in. It turned out to be a very informative museum and we spent about 2 hours here. It used to house the industrial engineering workshops for the former Dinorwig slate quarry and became a museum in 1972 after closing in 1969.
In the afternoon we decided to stay another day at the Coach House, the area has been unexpectedly filled with things to do. After we had booked for another night we went for a walk to Ceunant Mawr Waterfall. Another surprise. While we were walking through the town we came across a sign that just said waterfall. It ended up being stunning falls. By the time we arrived back at the hotel we were both quite wet from the heavy rain.
Wednesday and lousy weather again. I decided to go to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near the town of Llangollen. It was recommended by our son Jason who was in Wales earlier in the year. On the way we stopped at a few places that were picturesque. The aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford from 1795 to 1805 for canal boats. There are 18 piers made from local stone and are 126' (38.5m) high. The canal runs through an iron trough 1007' (307m) long. It is now the oldest and longest navigable aqueduct in Great Britain and the highest in the world.
After leaving Llanberis Thursday morning we headed back towards Mt Snowdon. The weather was not to bad and we managed a few stops to take in the view of Snowdon National Park. We were heading for Aberystwyth to stay the night. Instead of driving directly there, we travelled more through Snowdon National Park along the coast and stopped at Harlech Castle.
Harlech Castle is the most complete medieval castle in the world. Built up high on a spur of rock overlooking the Irish sea and completed in 1289. It was built for Edward I during his invasion of Wales 1282-1289. During the English Civil War a long siege of the castle saw its surrender on 15 March 1647 and then parliament ordered its destruction. In 1914 they started renovating the castle. The weather was lousy again. Dressed in our wet weather gear we spent plenty of time exploring these ruins. We loved wandering around all the the different towers and rooms and just overlooking the castle walls and trying to imagine being under siege 370 years ago.
We managed to fill in another great day before reaching our accommodation at about 3.30pm. We decided to book another night in Aberystwyth and leave Saturday.
Friday we drove to Devils Bridge. Another recommendation by Jason. It is a unique bridge in that it has three bridges built on top of each other. The original bridge built in the 12th century the second bridge built 1753 and the third in 1901. The original 12th century bridge is known as devils bridge. The legend of the bridge is that a farmer's wife’s cow was on the opposite side of Afon Mynach (creek) and she could not reach it. The devil appeared and told the farmer's wife he would build her a bridge that night, providing he got the first living soul that crossed the bridge. The next morning true to the devils word there was a bridge. The devil was thinking he would get the wife's soul being the first to cross. As she approached the bridge she stopped and threw a loaf of bread over the bridge. Her farm dog chased after the bread and became the first soul to cross. The devil was furious to be out smarted by the wife and never has been seen in Wales since.
To view the bridge and Devils Falls you have to pay by using 2 x 1 pound coins in a turnstile. I put in the coins pushed the turn style and it stopped half way. I managed to squeeze out regretting drinking the last few beers. Once through you get a view of the three bridges and a 45min walk takes you to the bottom of the falls and back over the other side. We have come across many Jacobs ladder's since we have been away and was fronted by yet another one. This one would put Kings Park (Perth) one to shame. It was a steep climb down with very wet steps. You then cross the creek and exit the opposite side of the falls.
We then drove to Hafod Uchtryd. Originally created by Thomas Johnes (1748-1816) as a natural park with walk trails. It is now owned by the forestry commission who have been restoring the walks. There are now 5 walks you can take. Some go to bridges, canyons and waterfalls. We spent time here doing one of the walks. Would of loved to do more. Then lunch at the Hafod Inn, then a drive to Elan Valley and many dams.
Saturday before we left Aberystwyth we went for a walk along the beach to Aberystwyth Castle ruins. There was a bit of a storm and we were fascinated by the waves crashing over the sea walls. You may think we would be getting tired of castles by now but we love the history to them all. Sharon always has a big smile when we go wandering through them all.
Then it was on to Cardigan to stay at another Guest house for the night.
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