After our Snowdon walk, we had two days in three that involved car journeys. Firstly, on the Wednesday, I had to bring my eldest down to Gloucester, so he could return to Plymouth with his mum to get his GCSE results. Then on the Friday we were leaving Snowdonia, and heading to Bolton, for my mum and dads 50th wedding anniversary party, via Gloucester again to pick up my eldest. Both journeys were around 300 miles! The Friday one, was a normal Friday on the motorways and took us a truly horrible 8-9 hours. In between those journeys we had a superb day bimbling around the town of Bangor, without my eldest, with a sneaky trip over the Menai Bridge thrown in for good measure. The sun came out as we walked around Penrhyn Castle, and stayed out as we headed out along Bangor Pier for an ice cream. We then headed over the Menai Bridge to tick off the touristy bit of visiting Anglesey and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, we stood there wondering how they have got away with putting four letter L’s in a row in that town name! Even if it is only created to make it the longest named place in Europe, and increase tourism, it works as plenty head here to see the place. A thoroughly enjoyable day out, the final few photos are from the drive back along the A5 back to the house in Penmachno, passing the mountains around Llyn Ogwen as the sun started to drop a little. All in all it was a busy holiday, that started with a wedding, had a storm and walking in the middle, lots of car journeys and a party to finish. Need another holiday to rest now.
Penrhyn Castle, its a National Trust place and gave us a bit of a Welsh castle fix. Built in the 1700s for the Pennant family. They made a lot of their money from the Jamaican sugar plantation estates and the use of slaves on them. On returning to England they invested in this area, especially the Penrhyn Slate Quarry, and started to campaign against the abolition of slaveryViews back to Snowdonia from the grounds of Penrhyn CastleAnd across the North Wales coast towards the Great Orme
The main hall
Get the vinyl out in the drawing roomIt had its own chapel, workers in the castle would sit down there, with the owners sat up on this higher platformThe slate bedroomLooking down on the main hallThe great staircase and stunning carvings and detail in the ceilingDining roomWith the nearby slate quarry being owned by the family they have a large number of steam trains on show as wellAll the trains were in use at the quarry at one time or anotherBack outside and the clouds have cleared nicely to reveal the Carneddau mountains, with Moel Wnion on the leftFrom the castle we took a short drive into Bangor itself to have a look at the pier. Its 50p to get onto the pier, so we took a walk to the far end, around 450 metres away. It was opened in 1896 and has had more than one or tow renovations, including when a boat crashed through it in 1914 in a storm.Me and my youngestLinda and myself with Snowdonia behind us.The Menai Straits across to the Great OrmeBack along the pier to Snowdonia, Y Garn is poking up on the right, then the Carnedds and further left are Foel Grach, Carnedd Uchaf and Llwytmor is furthest left with a bit of shade on the summitAll along the pierIce cream timeOne more dart in the car, across the gorgeous Menai Bridge down there, with stunning views to Snowdonia beyondAnd the other way to the Britannia Bridge and the western side of Snowdonia. Moel Tryfan sticking up to the left of the bridgeTrain station for that village here in AngleseyMy youngest on the platformThe meaning of the name, apparentlyWe drove back to Penmachno along the A5, passing through the centre of the Carnedds and Glyders, this is Pen Y Ole WenTryfan on the left and the Bristly Ridge rising to the right of Tryfan up to Glyder Fach. Bwlch Tryfan between the twoAnd one stop on the way after passing Tryfan to catch a silhouette of this mountain
And to finish our superb holiday away a photo of me and Linda, with Linda looking gorgeous as always.
I too have been to the place with that long long name, though it is a long time ago now. Looks like a nice few days. Haven’t been to Wales for a while.
I love the landscapes in Wales, the walking is completely different to the Lakes, far less green and soft rolling landscapes, more jagged rock which rise immediately from the valleys
I was really impressed at the view back from the pier and from Anglesey as well. By the way congratulations on the League leaders shield for Wigan this year
We’ve got our least favourite game away at Catalan. Can’t remember when we ever won over there. Hull KR are on a bit of a roll at the moment, so could give Wigan a bit of a game
We beat Catalan in Perpignan – they are vulnerable. I’m looking forward to watching the game on Friday (Allez les Cats 😂) And you’re right about Hull KR – they’ve been our bogey team this year.
Great news that your eldest got the results he needed. Stressful time for those taking exams.
When I first saw the pier at Bangor from the Anglesey side I thought it was a bridge that I couldn’t find on the map!
treksandtors 
Looks like a good trip to Wales for all and you scrub up nicely. Hope the results were all as they need to be.
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He did pretty well in all of his GCSEs, got on to the A levels that he needed to, which is the aim at the end of the day
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I too have been to the place with that long long name, though it is a long time ago now. Looks like a nice few days. Haven’t been to Wales for a while.
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I love the landscapes in Wales, the walking is completely different to the Lakes, far less green and soft rolling landscapes, more jagged rock which rise immediately from the valleys
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You get a decent view of the mountains from that pier on a good day.
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I was really impressed at the view back from the pier and from Anglesey as well. By the way congratulations on the League leaders shield for Wigan this year
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A tight end to the season. Three teams on same points and decided by points difference. Play offs should be interesting !
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We’ve got our least favourite game away at Catalan. Can’t remember when we ever won over there. Hull KR are on a bit of a roll at the moment, so could give Wigan a bit of a game
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Neither game is a done deal. That’s how it should be !
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We beat Catalan in Perpignan – they are vulnerable. I’m looking forward to watching the game on Friday (Allez les Cats 😂) And you’re right about Hull KR – they’ve been our bogey team this year.
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Great news that your eldest got the results he needed. Stressful time for those taking exams.
When I first saw the pier at Bangor from the Anglesey side I thought it was a bridge that I couldn’t find on the map!
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Its a long old pier for sure and at 50p well worth the money to have a wander out to the far end
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You look very chilled after all that driving!
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