After two days of repeating last years success stories, today is time for an unknown part of Wales: The Lynn peninsula. It’s famous for it’s isolation and thereby the good conservation of Welsh culture. And its special breed of sheep and, not unimportant, some stunning beaches.
It’s a 1,5 hour drive West. First stop is whistling sand beach. It’s 9, and we’re one of the first visitors. The parking is owned by the National Trust, which means we can park for free. It’s a short walk to the ideallic bay with white sandy beach and crystal clear water.
We try the whistling sand first. We walk up and down the dry and wet sand, but it’s hard to destingush a whistling sound because of the sound of the waves coming in.
The kids are distracted anyways and start building baths. It’s high tide, and they enjoy themselves filling their sand baths with sea waves.
Tim goes snorkeling in the cold sea. He sees a kelp forest and some small jellyfish. Olga also enjoys a refreshing swim while Tim explores the cliffs. We continue to take turns while the kids baths steadily expand and also include walls and towers now.
At 11, we decide to leave. It’s getting busy and the sun is getting stronger. We’re not sure what we’re driving towards as the internet at the peninsula is weak. We just follow the pins we put on the map.
The pin points at a look-out called Mynydd Mawr. It turns out to be a scenic spot to watch the Irish sea. Tim spots a seal. We also want to see some dolphins and even a whale, but the kids have to poo so Olga has to find a hidden spot as there are no toilets in sight.
Next stop is Aberdaron village. The village was the last rest stop for pilgrims heading to Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli), the legendary “island of 20,000 saints”. But since it has won the 2008 Seaside Award, it’s turned into a holiday resort.
There is a small museum about the seaside. Then we try some sweets of the local bakery. But it’s so sweet, we feel sick after the first bite and regret buying two cakes instead of one piece. We also visit the church and stroll on the beach before we head back to our car.
Nearby is Plas yn Rhiw, an early 17th century manor house with ornamental garden and wonderful views. The house is closed because of renovation works, but the garden is cool and shady. There are also some games to play for the kids: tic tac toe and egg walking course.
As it’s 15 already, we dare to visit another beach. Llanbedrog beach is big and sheltered. It’s super low tide, and while the kids start an aquiarium on the beach next to a river, Tim and Olga run a kilometer over the wet sand to the start of the sea and back after a quick swim.
The day is almost over, but we have still a castle and a village on our wish list. Cricieth Castle is a picturesque ruin standing on high rocks. William Turner was inspired by it and painted it. We just have time to take a drone shot before we move on.
Final site is Portmeirion, a folly tourist village inspired by Portofino on the Italian Riviera and build in 1945-1975. Most of the town is owned by a hotel and can be booked for the night. We only see it from the sky.
Then we drive the 1,5 hour back home. We arrive at 18:30, prepare some pasta and the kids play on the playground. We watch the first part of England-Argentinia while we eat watermelon for desert
