As our trip to Anglesey last year was in heavy rain, we give it another go today while the sky is blue. But this is not the case 10 miles north from us. There had been wildfired in Conwy yesterday, and people were evacuated from their homes. We can see the smoke in the sky, turning everything greyish. The yellow grass next to the road shows how dry the nature is, already early July. We also spot many dead trees. Nature is suffering.
We leave at 8:15. It’s a one hour drive to cross the Irish sea to Anglesey. First, we visit Beaumaris Castle. A totally different vibe under todays blue sky, compared with last years pouring rain. It is quite windy, but luckily we have some wind jackets in our car.
We climb the walls and castle rooms of what should have been the most beautiful castle ever built, but it was never finished because the King had to invest in the defense in Scotland and quit the spending to Welsh defense in the 13th century. We do finish out castle, build with blocks in the courtyard, just like last year.
Even though the castle wasn’t finished, or because it was never finished, the ruins are still enormous and in good condition. After our visit to the castle we take a stroll through Beaumaris village as well. We visit the 13th century church and the pier where people are fishing for crabs.
We continue our drive to visit the Eastern most point of Anglesey. We stop at Penmon priory with 1000+ years old stone celtic cross, and pay the toll to get to Penmon point where we can view the lighthouse. It’s even more windy here, waves splash on the rocks. It’s high tide, so we cannot reach the lighthouse, but we enjoy taking pictures.
The kids find it too windy and prefer listening to fairytale podcasts in the car, while Tim and Olga try the most scenic spots for their photoshoots and think they spot some puffins on Puffin Island in front of Pennon point.
The drive to Plas Newydd House and Gardens takes 30 minutes longer than expected because of traffic jams to enter the bridge to the mainland. We patiently join the queu while Zeno takes a quick nap. We pass the bridge to visit Plas Newydd. The country house and its gardens bring back memories of last year. Cleo even recognised the dolmen in the garden and wants a picture like last year.
It’s still sunny snd also warm now. The enourmous flower beds and views on the mountain peaks of Snowdonia across the Menai strait make it a stunning place. We first buy an icecream and ice coffee, while Tim explores the country house.
It dates back to 1470 and has been owned by Marquesses of Anglesey. The 7th Marquess lived in the house until 2013. Also the inside of the house brings back memories, such as the 17 meter wide painting by Rex Whistler, and the military museum with relics of the 1st Marquesse, the Battle of Waterloo, and his artificial leg (after he lost his leg at the Battle of Waterloo).
Olga and kids finished their icecream/coffee when Tim exits the house, so we take turns. Tim explores the garden and bookshop, while O&K’s explore the house. The kids can try on some dance costumes in the first room and pretend to be butterflies.
O&K’s also have fun in the succeding rooms, taking pictures in the mirrors, choosing the best bedroom, playing games in the playroom and admiring the paintings and architecture.
We reunite in the garden and visit the island of the island: Holy Island. We drive straight to South Stack lighthouse to see some puffins. Last year we saw one, but that was after the puffin season late July, so we have hope to see some more early July this year. We try all binoculars of the look-out point, but don’t spot any. Then Zeno had to poo, so Tim walks the puffin trial along the coast line on his own, while the kids go to the toilet and play in the grass.
When Tim is not back after one hour, Olga locks the kids into the car, they had their toilet break, can open/close the windows themselves, and have their podcasts at hand. She starts looking for Tim, walking the path she saw him take. But no glimps of her lover.
When she returns after 10 minutes to check on the kids, Tim is waving to her, looking down from the parking. what a relief. Although nobody was really worried, as Tim disapears more often for longer than expected.
Tim was hunting for puffins, but did not see any. Persistent as the man is, he continued the puffin trial to the end, without success. It was a nice walk anyways, and hungry we drive back to our caravan. We only had one bun with peanut butter for lunch.
We’re back at 18, prepare wraps and enjoy them on our terrace. Super nice to have a caravan with proper kitchen ( and bathroom, bedroom and couch) for a week! The kids enjoy some free time in the next door playground before we call it a long, but nice and sunny day.
On Tuesday morning it luckily seemed better.
