Anglesey

Nice few days in Angelsey via Llandudno. Stayed in very nice B&B in Treaddur Bay near Holyhead. Amazing views from our bay window of the rugged rocks and crashing waves. Stopped off at Llandudno first for a late breakfast in our favourite cafe. A quick walk round the shops and down the pier to play the slot machines. Walk along the prom to the car and then an hour's drive to our B&B. Treaddur Bay has excellent sand - Archie would have enjoyed the rock pools for catching crabs etc. when he was a nipper. I don't know why we haven't been to Angelsey before really - a beautiful part of the country and reminds us of Cornwall but without the crowds of holidaymakers. Went to new restaurant called the Sea Shanty which was like a small museum full of nautical stuff - boats hanging from the rafters, pulleys, old slot machines, buoys, fishing nets, jars of starfish etc. Delicious pizza for me and Hazel had the mussels. The next day we headed for Holyhead to scour the shops and walk down to the docks to see the ferries being loaded and arriving from Dublin. Next to Amlwch , a small fishing boat filled harbour with some nice cliff walks. The Copper Museum was a bit dull but we went in it anyway. The sun came out and we sat by the jetty watching people fish and looking very precarious on the edge. We had to leave as they looked like they would fall in any minute, especially the kids running round like maniacs! Then further along the coast to Bull Bay and then a small turn off lead to Cameas Bay which was a quaint little village with some interesting shops. Hazel bought a tin turtle clockwork toy in one. Tempted by the clockwork mouse on a track but it was a bit pricey. Hada ice cream and sat watching some daft dogs bounding about on the beach. In the evening we had fish and chips in another pub restaurant a bit further on round the bay. Walked back over the sand to sit on rocks and tickle limpets as the sun set. The next day we drove to Aberffraw which was supposed to have a Heritage Centre but it was closed. "open 1-5 most days" It was a tiny village with just one shop and few pastel painted cottages, a chapel and a stoney bridge which they obviously had high regard for as it featured on the postcard you could buy in the village shop ( the only shop) for 40p. Then on to the Model Village which had closed "due to retirement" and so further towards the Menai Straights - stopped briefly at Llanfairgwlletcetc. the longest place name in the UK - took photos in the station and avoided all the tourists who arrived by the coachload to by Welsh Cakes and jumpers in the Pringle shop in the station car park. Then to the Big National Trust house Plas Newydd where you could spot red squirrels if you were lucky ( none to be seen ) and walk around the beautiful and tourist clogged gardens for £8 each. Amazing views of the two bridges and other delights like the wooden leg of Earl Trumpington (just the postcard ) and roll down the hill if you are a frantic five year old looking for excitement.