Recent trip to North Wales, Summary.

Some place that were visited in the late 1970s were not visited this time because I didn’t want to spend a lot of time driving but also the foxgloves, ferns and hillside/valleyside woodland that so decorated the road running inland along the Conwy River valley would not be at their best by mid September. Nevertheless, places like Llanrwst with its bridge over the River Conwy and stone circle, Trefriw and its water-powered woollen mill and, further inland still, Betws-Y-Coed a stopping point on the old A5 to Holyhead would have been well worth a visit. Also didn’t get to Bangor with its long pier, or the Menai Straights Suspension Bridge, nor Caernarvon with its coast-side 14th century castle. Lastly in this list of not dones Blaenau Ffestiniog and its massive slate quarries as well as the Museum.

Of course, during the week walked around Conwy a number of times. The postcard photo above from the 1970s showing the quayside and inshore fishing boats is not in evidence today. Also old picture postcards show views of the Estuary with lots of sailing and pleasure craft, again I saw very few this time, but as there is a marina to the north of Conwy it may have been down to the time of year. The quayside boasts/boasted the ‘smallest house in Britain’, indeed it is very tiny but these claims can never be proven and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Also discovered was a very pleasant municipal park just north of the medieval town walls, clearly having been once the parkland of a large house on site this now being the Hq. of the local authority. The car park was/is free to all Monday to Friday 24 hours. Good views of the Estuary through the trees.