It was an early morning with breakfast at 6:00 and departure at 7:00 as we had to catch the ferry across the Irish Sea to Wales.
The ferry was huge and once we were parked and could go upstairs to explore, it felt like a cruise ship. We went right to the top and watched as we left the harbor and tried to imagine what the immigrants must have felt. They were a brave lot. It was sad as a visitor to say good bye to Ireland. What a fun time and sweet people.
We settled in with a nice table and couch by a window and I typed while Bob rested. Others joined us and Alice surprised us with a dear "Luck of the Irish" refrigerator magnet. What a nice remembrance. I am going to be such a mess when I have to say good bye to these people. We've been a community and we fit together better by the day.
We got off the ferry in the sunshine at Holyhead, Wales. There was a bright regatta with many colorful sails in the harbor. It was a clean coastal town with more connected shops and houses, but in pastel colors. On up the hill there were small nice individual homes. Holyhead Island was a Holy Celtic place for the Druids. There are many Celtic remains on the island. We're on the northwest corner of Wales which gets rain, mist and storms. It can be dangerous getting on and off the island. As we go over the causeway, we can see the mountains of Snowdonia, the Welsh Highlands, in the distance.
This area is called Anglesey and is the bread basket of Wales with its fertile soil. The area has big farms, castles, ruins, and an air base.
Henry spoke Welsh to us. It is quite guttural and spitty, but fun to hear.
The symbol for Wales is a red dragon and it is on everything. Wales is called the land of song, rivers and dragons. There are mountains to the north, hills in the middle and farms to the south. They have 7 million sheep which is there main industry. They have only 5 million people.
We drove past sheep, stone fences, hedge rows and grassy mountains and then climbed in to barren mountains with huge chunks of rock. We stopped at a park station and took pictures. The area was full of hikers and climbers. It would be a great place to visit.
The Welsh have a strong music background. Many of the old folks songs were turned into hymns to be used and therefore saved by the Methodist Church - All Through the Night, How Great Thou Art, and more.
On we went past lush, green, sheep covered hills with rock fences, rocky rivers, and huge old trees with lovely hymns playing in the background. We drove past the Berwyn Bar that was established in 1359. We are continually amazed with the age of things here as Daryl (Aussie's history is young like ours) said, "I just can't get my head around it."
We stopped in the little village Llangollen on the river and walked around with an ice cream. It was packed with tourists. They had a steam Thomas the Train rolling in and out of town along the river as a big attraction. We watched a kayaker shoot through the rapids in the middle of town. Then the crowds and noise got to be a little too much for several of us and we made our way back to the bus.
When we got to the bus we saw a young family that had locked themselves out of the car. Everyone tried to help and finally Andy, our driver, got the hammer out of his tool box and the young father broke his small back window. Andy then got out the broom and cleaned it all up while they loaded their car. That was so nice and now we call him Handy Andy. I'm sure he loves that, but he has a good sense of humor and we love to hear him laugh.
Our excursion this afternoon was a cruise on the canal in a barge. I had no expectations, but was told not to miss it. Narrow canals were built along the river to transport coal in barges which were pulled along by horses. Part of the canal was built on a bridge high up over the river valley and the rest goes through woods and farmland. No longer used for coal, you can cruise in long covered barges with little tables and enjoy the ride with refreshments.
There is a walking path along much of the canal and when riding in the barge you sit low down in and are looking at peoples knees that might walk by. We started the cruise going up over the very narrow bridge where you could see far below, but not the sides of the canal.
It was like we were floating in air. Once in the woods and farmland, it was so peaceful and relaxing. We all loved it and snapped pictures of sheep that we could almost touch as they grazed in the grass beside us. We were so glad we went. What a delight on a bright sunny day.
There is a walking path along much of the canal and when riding in the barge you sit low down in and are looking at peoples knees that might walk by. We started the cruise going up over the very narrow bridge where you could see far below, but not the sides of the canal.
It was like we were floating in air. Once in the woods and farmland, it was so peaceful and relaxing. We all loved it and snapped pictures of sheep that we could almost touch as they grazed in the grass beside us. We were so glad we went. What a delight on a bright sunny day.
At the end, they offered a free drink at the little country pub. Here, surprisingly was one of the highlights of our trip. Bob happened to strike up a conversation with a farmer sitting at the bar so we stayed inside to chat. Joe and Judie joined us and so did two more local sheep farmers.
It was a special moment in time. We all connected and had a lively enjoyable conversation between the seven of us from Wales, Australia, and the U.S. It was great and they seemed to enjoy it as much as us. Joe said, "It's what it's all about, isn't it." I was sad to leave them and one gave me a kiss on the cheek, a memory to cherish. Another great day!
It was a special moment in time. We all connected and had a lively enjoyable conversation between the seven of us from Wales, Australia, and the U.S. It was great and they seemed to enjoy it as much as us. Joe said, "It's what it's all about, isn't it." I was sad to leave them and one gave me a kiss on the cheek, a memory to cherish. Another great day!
