Around Nth Wales

As we were awake early, we took the opportunty to walk up Gannock (Deganwy) Hill before breakfast.
Once again, the weather is mild and clear. Fields of bluebells fill the lower grasses, with yellow flowering gorse contrasting.
Small remnants of the Welsh castle can be sern. Compared to the size of Edward 1 Conwy Castle- seen as you climb higher, they are but fragments.
Yet they are such powerful symbols of the Welsh resistance against overwhelming odds.
The views from the top are spectacular.
Later we head to the gobsmacking beauty of Bodnant Gardens, where flowering yulips, rhododendrons,  azaleas, magnolias and daffodils provide a colourful palette. A flowering wisteria climbs the front of the home.  Simply glorious.
On we go, heading south and soon we come yo signs indicating a world heitage sight. Yhe canal that runs across an aquaduct high above the Dee River valley is indeed a civil enginering wonder.
Canal Boats moored along the canal, with one or two working give sn indication of the popularity of this sight at other time. It is lovely to stroll a distance along the Canal after crossing the aquaduct.
Just a few kilometres on is ourhomw for  night - Llangollan. The Dee flows rapidly through this old village and with the warmer weather (18) young boys enjoy a swim after dropping off a rocky ledge into ehat must be icy water.

Stroud

This central village us busy and vibrant - especially on Saturday morning when the market takes place. Mainly local produce, of high quality is sold.

Snowdonia, North Wales

Driven by Anne, we have the most competent tour guides as well as ideal qeather. The peaks of Snowdon are clearly visible. As an alpine area, this area is grazed in spring - autumn by sheep and cattle. This does limit the vegetation that is minimized due to winter snow cover.
The peak of Snowdon has a number of very popular walking trails - trails used by Sir Edmund Hilary and his team for training prior to climbing Everest in 1953.
The pub we stop at for lunch was frequentwd by them, and also the site of reunions subsequent to their expedition. Inside is memorabilia as well as the signatures of expedition team members.
Some further favourite places provided a lovely overall view of Snowdonia.

Deganwy, North Wales

Perfect weather! Sunny, blue skies and mild May weather. We feel so lucky and the scenery is just so picturesque.
We are warmly welcomed at Tideways B & B then after settling in we head around for another warm welcome from Anne Hutt and her sister, Dilys who conveniently lives next door.

The views to Conwy from the front window are just awesome. We do find though, that as a castle built by Edward 1 so that the English to keep the Welsh under control, the Welsh are somewhat cynical!
Anne is such a wonderful hostess who has prepared a lovely meal for us.
Early the next morning we walk along the beachfront before breakfast to absorb some more of this beautiful coastal area.

Cotswold Villages

On arrival in The Cotswolds we explore Circencester before arriving in Brinscombe and climbing up Brinscombe Hill to our accommodation.  The narrow lane is somewhat daunting in an unfamiliar car, but Bill has it mastered like a pro before too long. This looks like the perfect place to reenergise.

An early start to the top of Brinscombe Hill to explore some villages and commons.
Minchinhampton was waking up with many children walking to the Church of England school - next to the church.
In the grounds stood magnificent flowering trees, including a spectacular cherry blossom.

The undercover, but open market and stone buildings from the 17th century  gave wonderful character to the village.
Off to Langford Mill, which is now predominantly private apartments though the unused main mill building still stands.
This is surrounded by Minchinhampton Common, with glorious woods making a spectacular backdrop.
Morning tea at the quirky Canteen in Nailsworth - a mill building with old, original timbers still visible, was followed by some exploration of the many retail shops.
Lunch at The Bear of Rodborough, on Rodborough Common was a Ploughmans Platter. This was followed by a walk on the Common, around the fort that is undergoing restoration then a welcome ice cream - despite the weather having turned quite bitter. The views down the valleys and over Stroud were spectacular.

Cotswold Canals

Stroud, Brinscombe,

The network of canals that were once integral to British transportation had fallen into disrepair until money from a lottery and a Regional Development Agency enabled restoration to commence.

A port at Brinscombe allowed for transfer of goods to the narrower Thames barges from the Severn Canal. The Stroudwater Canal, west of Stroud connects the town to the Severn River.

Along the way were a number of large mills. The mill at Stroud still manufactures the fine green felt for pool tables, the lime green felt for tennis balls and the red that is used in military uniforms.

Many waterwheels and locks were located along the canals. Around Stroud they have been made functional and a walk along the tow path beside the canal to the west is very pleasant. We also walked both east and west of the Port of Brinscombe where restorations are undeway.

We have arrived!

Etihad staff on the first leg - from Sydney to Abu Dhabi were awesome. We felt so lucky to have 2 seats on the bulkhead (extra leg room for the 6 footers), a baby bassinet and also the row of 4 seats behind. It did mean we could stretch out. Excitement meant we probably didn't take enough advantage of the potential for sleep!

As I write this, I am definitely feeling the effects of the long flights! 

The second leg - from Abu Dhabi was definitely more trying, if a little shorter.  This started with a very long delay on the runway before we took off - which did not please Indi!  She definitely did not want to be in a seat belt.  So she did what any nearly 8 month old faced baby with this situation would do - led a protest chorus from the choir of 6 - 9 month olds.  She has significant leadership potential, as well as determination! But the crew would not be swayed, and despite us just sitting on the tarmac for 30 mins or so - we were not allowed to stand to try to comfort her.  Millie joined her out of sympathy on a few occasions. 

Some short snatches of snoozing were caught over the next 8 hours - in general, what can only be described as brief! It was a relief to touch down at Heathrow, and perfect timing for a 2 year old tantrum from the now very overtired Millie saw us whisked through the process of immigration.  We even managed to successfully retrieve all baggage for 6 travellers - including the 2 carseats plus the pram!  Quite an achievement for the sleep-deprived! And still only 9am!

Tara and Dave will spend the next few days in Bristol with family,  while Bill and I hired a car and have driven to Brinscombe in The Cotswolds.  A hour or two wandering around Cirencester on the way, with mandatory lunch of fish and chips then enjoying the scenery off the motorway.  Perfect.  Picture perfect weather, and the final challenge - up Briscombe Hill (signposted "Not suitable for vehicles" - well done Bill in managing this in a rental car after all this).  Our home for the next couple of days, "The Bank", sits oerched high on a the Brinscombe View hill, with sweeping views of surrounding hills and villages.

A perfect place to just relax, so after a quick food shop in nearby Stroud, home we went for a bath and the inevitable 4 hour nap. We swore we were only going to sleep 1 hr, and set the alarm. I do remember hearing it - amidst my dreaming.