Tue, 29 Oct 2002

author Tim	location Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed, Wales
posted 19:29 GMT	section Europe2002/Europe/UK/Wales/North Wales ( all photos )

In and Around Snowdonia ( 26 photos )
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Our muzak-free breakfast was better than we expected from a pub, and the landlord proved herself the friendly type, having friends in Marylands, Sydney.
Liz took Percy's reins, and we headed off towards the Isle of Anglesey - the bit of Wales at the North-West corner. Two bridges link it to the mainland, and we had to cross them before we found a town with a functional "i".
This ended up being the town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Those fifty-eight letters give it the longest place name in Britain, and that is the sole reason for its existance. Dreamt up purely to get the tourists in, it certainly managed to do so. We declined the offer to learn how to pronounce it.
Otherwise, only one place of interest was really found on the Isle - Beaumaris Castle. Built in 1295, the £3 we spent here was easily better than the cost for the castle the other day. It is mostly intact, and has a moat surrounding walls surrounding towers surrounding walls and towers. We took a walk around and through the walls, seeing all sorts of arrow slits and dark spaces. Well worthwhile.
After a nice lunch at a nearby tea room, we set off towards the Llyn Peninsula, just south of the Isle. Billed as the "most staunchly Welsh part of the country", we gathered that from just how little there was to do. In the vast quantity of literature we have accrued on Wales, nobody has anything interesting to say about the place.
We cut South missing most of the area, and headed inland North through Snowdonia National Park. Truly a beautiful area, the heavy fog combined with light rain is the most vivid image of Wales I have so far. A great deal of nice driving, and, perhaps next time, lots of nice walking.
There is a railway that goes up Snowdonia (highest mountain in England and Wales) to the summit, but the weather isn't making the £15 fare look worthwhile.
As it gets dark very early now (around 5pm), we are tending to look for accommodation earlier. Tonight we have ended up in the Capel Curig Youth Hostel, in our own room. Cooked a vegetable and rice dinner, and are now relaxing in the lounge, working out the plan for tomorrow.

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