This Just In: Wales is Wet!
We are in Beaumaris! A few quick updates on things before I write about today:-
The man who threatened my Dad a few weeks ago apologised! I think Stalker Neighbour and her mum must have had a word because when he let Kaitlyn out, he heard this sheepish voice coming from around the back of next door's extension: "Y'alright mate?"
He edged forward to see who was talking to him, and saw him - the young fellow.
"I just wanted to apologise for my actions the other day," he said.
Dad just looked at him. "You threatened me and called me a racist."
The guy looked uncomfortable. "Yeah... sorry about that."
Dad, not in the mood for another confrontation but not quite in the mood for backing down peacefully, said "alright, you've apologised, now never speak to me again."
So, yeah, I hope it's all blown over. Apparently Stalker Neighbour is planning another party, which should be... erm... interesting, if her last ones are anything to go by. Details of those will come with my backdated handwritten entries, though.
Burrito is still with us! We brought her to the vet yesterday, and they had a look at her. They concluded that she was still well in herself - eating, drinking, grooming, bruxing etc, and seemed bright and active - and said that their only concern was if her tumour was to ulcerate.
They advised us to keep an eye on her, so I asked Ashley to look after her while we're gone (which he would have done anyway). We've left some money with him in case she needs to go to the vet, and instructions on what to do should euthanasia be the only option. She's on soft, comfortable bedding and a white sheet, so if she does begin to bleed, it'll be easier for him to see. I'm hoping she makes it until we're back.
But anyway. We are now in Beaumaris! Getting here was seriously awkward, because like a total idiot I booked our travel and hotel not thinking that travelling on a Sunday might be awkward because of limited services.
When we got the train from Earlestown, it was gloriously sunny. We reached Chester (in about 45 minutes, which will be handy to keep in mind for if I get a place at the uni there), and then got our connecting train to Bangor. As we passed stop after stop, and place names became increasingly Welsh, thick dark clouds began to move in over the hills...
By the time we arrived in Bangor it had started to rain. We ate at a nice little pub called The Harp, where they'd laid on a Sunday carvery with vegetarian options. I had a mountain of vegetables and a gorgeous slice of vegetable loaf, all saturated in onion gravy. Jason, as you can imagine, had beef and pork. The bar staff gave us directions to the bus station, we set off on our way... and the heavens opened.
We got SOAKED. We finally found the bus station (the road it's on is sloped, and water was pouring down it like river rapids), and to our dismay we realised that we had just missed a bus to Beaumaris. The next one would be in an hour and a half.
After a terrifying incident in which the local Lloyds ATM nearly ate Jason's debit card, we waited out the rain in Cafe Nero. I felt so self conscious, visibly drenched and stinking of musty rain water, but I tried to think of good times ahead and wish the rain away.
When the time came, we headed back to Stand D, and sure enough our bus arrived. Through the journey there, the rain was unrelenting. The bus crashed through puddles that were basically ponds in the narrow country roads of north Gwynedd. I listened intently to a chap who was conversing with the bus driver in Welsh - such an awesome sounding language! We splashed a few unfortunate sheep and cows who had dared to come and stand by the roadside puddles.
Over the impressive Menai Bridge, and we were on Anglesey. What a gorgeous place! It reminds me of Ireland, full of quaint little villages and fields and loads of breathtaking coastline. I've only ever been through at night, after ferry crossings - so to see it in the daytime was nice.
We got off outside the Bulkeley Hotel in Beaumaris, and straight up the road we saw Beaumaris Castle, which our hotel was right across the street from. We found Castle Court with ease, and checked in.
Our room is really nice! We have the usual en-suite and tea making facilities, and a good view of the southwestern part of the castle. We're so close to the pier as well; to be honest, Beaumaris is so small, everything I want to do is easily within walking distance.
No shopping for us today, though, as it was a Sunday, and late in the day when we arrived, at that. Pretty much the only places that were open were pubs, restaurants and takeaways. We settled in to our room, I had a shower, and when our clothes had dried up somewhat we went out for a wander.
We picked out all the places that Maria had told us about - the Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour, Cole & Co (soaps, candles and gifts, all handmade locally), Meghna Tandoori, The Little Chilli Shop - and we checked out the times for the cruises to Puffin Island, which are operated by Starida Cruises. We got a good feel for what was there in the town, and then decided to go and get food.
We first decided to try Tredici Italian Kitchen, but it was full. So we carried on walking, checking out the menus posted on the front of some of the local hotels, but the vegetarian options weren't great for me and the prices were a bit steep.
Eventually our walk took us back to Meghna Tandoori. £6.50 for a vegetable madras? Heck yeah!
Like Tredici, however, the place was CHOCKER. We were told that a table might become available in the next half an hour, but that meant waiting when we were already starving after travelling all day. Unlike Tredici, though, Meghna did takeaway food too. I'd read that people staying at Castle Court were allowed to bring takeaways into the dining room there, so that's what Jason and I decided to do. We placed our order, went on another walk while it was being prepared, then collected our food and headed back to the hotel.
After somebody at the bar tried (and failed) to get me to share my food, Jason and I ate in the dining room, trying to avoid making even the slightest bit of mess on the tables that were already laid out for breakfast tomorrow. Unfortunately, we had to move some things around and use some cutlery and napkins. But when we were done, I discovered where the supplies for the dining room was kept - replaced what we'd used, reset the table exactly as it had been, and gave our used cutlery to the bar staff in the other room. You wouldn't have known we'd been there.
The food was amazing, by the way. Seriously spicy, just the way I like it! Credit to the staff at Meghna, too, especially the two girls who were operating the bar, taking orders, bringing food out, etc. They were understaffed that night, apparently, and so apologetic about it. You could see they were juggling a dozen tasks at once but they were handling things really well and with an incredible amount of courtesy. All I can say to those girls is thank you so much, I know exactly how you feel!
So now we're just chilling in our hotel room. Jason's watching TV, and I'm writing this. I hope the weather gives us a break tomorrow, because we're going to try and squeeze so much in - Puffin Island, a walk around the shops, and then a walk around Beaumaris Castle before it closes at 6pm. I'm excited!
The man who threatened my Dad a few weeks ago apologised! I think Stalker Neighbour and her mum must have had a word because when he let Kaitlyn out, he heard this sheepish voice coming from around the back of next door's extension: "Y'alright mate?"
He edged forward to see who was talking to him, and saw him - the young fellow.
"I just wanted to apologise for my actions the other day," he said.
Dad just looked at him. "You threatened me and called me a racist."
The guy looked uncomfortable. "Yeah... sorry about that."
Dad, not in the mood for another confrontation but not quite in the mood for backing down peacefully, said "alright, you've apologised, now never speak to me again."
So, yeah, I hope it's all blown over. Apparently Stalker Neighbour is planning another party, which should be... erm... interesting, if her last ones are anything to go by. Details of those will come with my backdated handwritten entries, though.
Burrito is still with us! We brought her to the vet yesterday, and they had a look at her. They concluded that she was still well in herself - eating, drinking, grooming, bruxing etc, and seemed bright and active - and said that their only concern was if her tumour was to ulcerate.
They advised us to keep an eye on her, so I asked Ashley to look after her while we're gone (which he would have done anyway). We've left some money with him in case she needs to go to the vet, and instructions on what to do should euthanasia be the only option. She's on soft, comfortable bedding and a white sheet, so if she does begin to bleed, it'll be easier for him to see. I'm hoping she makes it until we're back.
But anyway. We are now in Beaumaris! Getting here was seriously awkward, because like a total idiot I booked our travel and hotel not thinking that travelling on a Sunday might be awkward because of limited services.
When we got the train from Earlestown, it was gloriously sunny. We reached Chester (in about 45 minutes, which will be handy to keep in mind for if I get a place at the uni there), and then got our connecting train to Bangor. As we passed stop after stop, and place names became increasingly Welsh, thick dark clouds began to move in over the hills...
By the time we arrived in Bangor it had started to rain. We ate at a nice little pub called The Harp, where they'd laid on a Sunday carvery with vegetarian options. I had a mountain of vegetables and a gorgeous slice of vegetable loaf, all saturated in onion gravy. Jason, as you can imagine, had beef and pork. The bar staff gave us directions to the bus station, we set off on our way... and the heavens opened.
We got SOAKED. We finally found the bus station (the road it's on is sloped, and water was pouring down it like river rapids), and to our dismay we realised that we had just missed a bus to Beaumaris. The next one would be in an hour and a half.
After a terrifying incident in which the local Lloyds ATM nearly ate Jason's debit card, we waited out the rain in Cafe Nero. I felt so self conscious, visibly drenched and stinking of musty rain water, but I tried to think of good times ahead and wish the rain away.
When the time came, we headed back to Stand D, and sure enough our bus arrived. Through the journey there, the rain was unrelenting. The bus crashed through puddles that were basically ponds in the narrow country roads of north Gwynedd. I listened intently to a chap who was conversing with the bus driver in Welsh - such an awesome sounding language! We splashed a few unfortunate sheep and cows who had dared to come and stand by the roadside puddles.
Over the impressive Menai Bridge, and we were on Anglesey. What a gorgeous place! It reminds me of Ireland, full of quaint little villages and fields and loads of breathtaking coastline. I've only ever been through at night, after ferry crossings - so to see it in the daytime was nice.
We got off outside the Bulkeley Hotel in Beaumaris, and straight up the road we saw Beaumaris Castle, which our hotel was right across the street from. We found Castle Court with ease, and checked in.
Our room is really nice! We have the usual en-suite and tea making facilities, and a good view of the southwestern part of the castle. We're so close to the pier as well; to be honest, Beaumaris is so small, everything I want to do is easily within walking distance.
No shopping for us today, though, as it was a Sunday, and late in the day when we arrived, at that. Pretty much the only places that were open were pubs, restaurants and takeaways. We settled in to our room, I had a shower, and when our clothes had dried up somewhat we went out for a wander.
We picked out all the places that Maria had told us about - the Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour, Cole & Co (soaps, candles and gifts, all handmade locally), Meghna Tandoori, The Little Chilli Shop - and we checked out the times for the cruises to Puffin Island, which are operated by Starida Cruises. We got a good feel for what was there in the town, and then decided to go and get food.
We first decided to try Tredici Italian Kitchen, but it was full. So we carried on walking, checking out the menus posted on the front of some of the local hotels, but the vegetarian options weren't great for me and the prices were a bit steep.
Eventually our walk took us back to Meghna Tandoori. £6.50 for a vegetable madras? Heck yeah!
Like Tredici, however, the place was CHOCKER. We were told that a table might become available in the next half an hour, but that meant waiting when we were already starving after travelling all day. Unlike Tredici, though, Meghna did takeaway food too. I'd read that people staying at Castle Court were allowed to bring takeaways into the dining room there, so that's what Jason and I decided to do. We placed our order, went on another walk while it was being prepared, then collected our food and headed back to the hotel.
After somebody at the bar tried (and failed) to get me to share my food, Jason and I ate in the dining room, trying to avoid making even the slightest bit of mess on the tables that were already laid out for breakfast tomorrow. Unfortunately, we had to move some things around and use some cutlery and napkins. But when we were done, I discovered where the supplies for the dining room was kept - replaced what we'd used, reset the table exactly as it had been, and gave our used cutlery to the bar staff in the other room. You wouldn't have known we'd been there.
The food was amazing, by the way. Seriously spicy, just the way I like it! Credit to the staff at Meghna, too, especially the two girls who were operating the bar, taking orders, bringing food out, etc. They were understaffed that night, apparently, and so apologetic about it. You could see they were juggling a dozen tasks at once but they were handling things really well and with an incredible amount of courtesy. All I can say to those girls is thank you so much, I know exactly how you feel!
So now we're just chilling in our hotel room. Jason's watching TV, and I'm writing this. I hope the weather gives us a break tomorrow, because we're going to try and squeeze so much in - Puffin Island, a walk around the shops, and then a walk around Beaumaris Castle before it closes at 6pm. I'm excited!