Sunday, April 10, 2011

Llandudno with a 'k'

We have just returned from our road trip to North Wales! It was a short weekend get-a-way filled with great company - love you honey - great food, amazing sights and great shopping! We visited a few quaint towns and stayed in Llandudno - phonetically pronounced klan-did-no. It's a great waterfront city that is full of Victorian era B&B's and hotels. There is a mile long promenade that runs with the coastline and abruptly meets up with a jutting mountain range overlooking the Irish Sea. We went hiking up to the top of course!

Prior to our stop in Llandudno, we stopped in Rhosnigr [ross-nigh-jur] - a quaint seaside village in Anglesey [ang-less-ee], Wales. It was speckled with white stucco homes, shops, restaurants and of course, lots of sandy white beaches. We stopped in here because they are known for being the top spot in the UK for kite boarding. It's only about 30 miles away from Llandudno. Anyway, we of course looked into lessons for Dave for next weekend, because there was absolutely NO wind yesterday! However, because they obviously can't guarantee there will be wind next weekend either, we decided to wait until we get closer in the week to decide if we go back. We walked around the village, did some shopping, and mingled with some of the local kite boarders and residents.

On the road again...!








Had to capture this - two men in an MG! Ahh...memories of Frank and Dave! Hilarious!!!!


Rhosnigr



























Stopped for a pint!


We got back in the car and drove about 30 minutes to Llandudno! Beautiful city!







Walking on the promenade on our way to dinner!


The tide was out and we could walk all the way out to the powerboat dock - usually under water during the day!




A shot of the pier! Built in the late 1800's.


A pic of the promenade from the beach.


The Grand Hotel - built in the late 1800's.


Me, being goofy! Haha!


The next day - shot from the pier looking towards the mountainous terrain.



The Irish Sea view from the pier.

























A rally car we saw - they have a training session every Spring on the hairpin turns of the mountains! Scary!




We started our hike! Pictures from our view toward the pier.





Of course we took the "road less traveled" and went off the footpath - but this way was so much better, and worth it! The Irish Sea is in the background.














Waaaay up there!






View of the cable cars - i.e. the easy way to the top!


Another shot, higher up!


I was sweating! What a great workout!


Almost to the top!






Signs of Spring!