Planning for a UK summer has been very confusing. Luckily, I only packed summer clothes because on arrival, whilst the temperature was only 18 degrees, it was so very humid (mindful that UK homes don’t generally have air conditioning either)! Thank goodness that Phil’s mum lives in Porthcawl near the sea… that sea breeze really saved me!
On our first day, it was so hot we had to spend most of our time outdoors to enjoy the sea breeze
The first leg of our trip was spent catching up with the in-laws and Phil’s friends. We hadn’t seen his family since 2020 (since our wedding) and the extended family as far back as 2018, which was also the last time Phil saw his mates. Time has just ebbed away.
We spent around 10-11 days in Wales, mainly catching up with friends and family, but also finding time to do some local site seeing.
Pauline and Clive put on a BBQ and we got to catch up with the extended family, met Ceri’s “new” boyfriend (new to us, as we hadn’t met him yet even though they have been together for almost 2 years), and a couple of Phil’s mates. Whilst it was a lot of work for our hosts, they did an amazing job and the weather also held out with the sun smiling brightly upon us. I think all up around 30 people attended. Great day!
Photo care of Robbie.
(L-R back): Robbie, Matt, Callum, Ceri, Phil, Me
(R-L front): Pauline, Niamh, Clive
This trip we didn’t do as much in terms of travelling around Wales. We kept it more local and tried to spend more time with everyone.
We went to the St Fagans National Museum. I didn’t realise just how large the site was and how much walking was involved. It is like stepping back in time to see how welsh people lived throughout the ages. There were lots of old stone work buildings, thatched roofs, rambling gardens and woods. It was an opportunity to see how welsh homes and business had transformed over time.
I did manage to get caught in a blackberry bush (those things have been put on this earth to torment me!), got a thorn in my leg; and in the attempt to untangle my dress from the bush, Phil managed to make Niamh cry. This would not be the first time or the last time during the trip either. He also made her cry at lunch when he pointed out she had to blow her nose in a rather tactless manner. In his defence, I think Niamh was embarrassed, hence the tears.
Phil and I made a special trip to Abergavenny, where my favourite Milliner is (https://alisontod.co.uk)!
I have bought many a bobble hat from this store and at £55 they are not cheap but I do love them so!
Whilst in Abergavenny, we went to the Skirrid Inn. In the lead up to our trip, I discovered this pub on the Wales website.
It is the oldest pub in Wales - dating back to 1100!!! The door has been carbon dated to some 1,500 years old; and the hanging beam still remains in place where it is believed the markings, said to be from rope marks still exist on the staircase wood. Is it weird that I touched the door and rope marks in an attempt to imprint a part of myself upon history…
Some of the other things we did…. we visited Castell Coch. Whilst a castle it was probably the least impressive of castles that I have seen. The outside is cool, it has a fairytale quality to it. Alas, I didn’t get a shot of it as there was scaffolding and work being done to the exterior. I think the reason why I was not awfully impressed is because it doesn’t really feel like a castle and it is quite young compared to the others. The original castle 11th–13th centuries but that was left in ruins and had to be rebuilt 1875–91.
We also visited a few local pubs, took Pauline and Clive out for lunch in Bath and dinner in Porthcawl; went on a double date with Ceri and Dave; and caught up with Phil’s mates individually and for brunch.
It was great to see everyone and hope that our next visit back to Wales won’t be another 6 years!
