HOLYHEAD, WALES
HOLYHEAD, WALES
We didn't wake up until 8:15 this morning! I think we are finally over our jet lag. We met the group for breakfast - I arrived first, then Sandra, then Bill, and finally Norma. We decided at the beginning to make our way to breakfast at our own time and if we met, we met. The dining staff know us by now and always seats the first to arrive at a table for four.
Our shore excursion goes to Snowdonia National Park and involves a drive to Caernafon Castle, to Llanberis, and to Betws-y-Coed. Sounds quite relaxing.
Holyhead is the largest town near the Isle of Anglesey in Wales on Holy Island. And we awoke to glorious sunshine - nary a cloud in the sky and light winds. The high is supposed to be only 14 degrees so it will be cool.
We picked up some snack food for lunch as our tour left at 12:45. Bill, true to fashion, knows all the tricks of getting the best seats on the bus. Following his lead, we left the ship before our bus number was called and so were the first on the bus with our pick of seats.
Our first stop was Caernarfon Castle where Prince Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. From there we headed to Snowdonia National Park with a couple of photo stops along the way, one at Llanberis which rests beside the Llyn Padarn Lake showing Snowdon Mountain in the distance. Mount Snowdon is one of the highest peaks in Britain. We ended in the pretty little town of Betws-y-Coed where we visited the Visitor's Centre and took a stroll along the river. I saw a Grey Wagtail, a very pretty little bird - yellow and grey - along the river. A lifer for me. Also, on the way we saw two buzzards which were also lifers, I think. I'll have to check when I get home. We also saw some mountain goats on our drive out of the park which, we were told, was very unlikely. The scenery was glorious.
We didn't get back until almost 6, just enough time to organize ourselves to see a Welsh Men's Choir who came on board to entertain us. Their conductor who had to be at least ninety years old, had a wonderful sense of humour and had his audience in the palm of his hand as we laughed at all of his jokes. Some of the music brought us to tears. They were so much better than the late evening shows that we religiously skip.
One comment - we cannot believe the poor manners of some of the audience. People thought nothing of standing up in the middle of a song and walking out instead of waiting until between numbers or talking through the performance. One teenaged boy slouched over the balcony when the choir sang the Welsh National Anthem rather than standing at attention. He wouldn't have gotten away with that in my classroom!
Then it was back to the room to dress for pre-dinner drinks and dinner at the Specialty Restauant, Prime Rib. Bill managed to get us a prime table and we managed another wonderful meal. Our clothes are starting to feel tighter.
We didn't wake up until 8:15 this morning! I think we are finally over our jet lag. We met the group for breakfast - I arrived first, then Sandra, then Bill, and finally Norma. We decided at the beginning to make our way to breakfast at our own time and if we met, we met. The dining staff know us by now and always seats the first to arrive at a table for four.
Our shore excursion goes to Snowdonia National Park and involves a drive to Caernafon Castle, to Llanberis, and to Betws-y-Coed. Sounds quite relaxing.
Holyhead is the largest town near the Isle of Anglesey in Wales on Holy Island. And we awoke to glorious sunshine - nary a cloud in the sky and light winds. The high is supposed to be only 14 degrees so it will be cool.
We picked up some snack food for lunch as our tour left at 12:45. Bill, true to fashion, knows all the tricks of getting the best seats on the bus. Following his lead, we left the ship before our bus number was called and so were the first on the bus with our pick of seats.
Our first stop was Caernarfon Castle where Prince Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. From there we headed to Snowdonia National Park with a couple of photo stops along the way, one at Llanberis which rests beside the Llyn Padarn Lake showing Snowdon Mountain in the distance. Mount Snowdon is one of the highest peaks in Britain. We ended in the pretty little town of Betws-y-Coed where we visited the Visitor's Centre and took a stroll along the river. I saw a Grey Wagtail, a very pretty little bird - yellow and grey - along the river. A lifer for me. Also, on the way we saw two buzzards which were also lifers, I think. I'll have to check when I get home. We also saw some mountain goats on our drive out of the park which, we were told, was very unlikely. The scenery was glorious.
We didn't get back until almost 6, just enough time to organize ourselves to see a Welsh Men's Choir who came on board to entertain us. Their conductor who had to be at least ninety years old, had a wonderful sense of humour and had his audience in the palm of his hand as we laughed at all of his jokes. Some of the music brought us to tears. They were so much better than the late evening shows that we religiously skip.
One comment - we cannot believe the poor manners of some of the audience. People thought nothing of standing up in the middle of a song and walking out instead of waiting until between numbers or talking through the performance. One teenaged boy slouched over the balcony when the choir sang the Welsh National Anthem rather than standing at attention. He wouldn't have gotten away with that in my classroom!
Then it was back to the room to dress for pre-dinner drinks and dinner at the Specialty Restauant, Prime Rib. Bill managed to get us a prime table and we managed another wonderful meal. Our clothes are starting to feel tighter.
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