You’re in for one of those rare treats in this post. Not many accompanying words, more a superb selection of some of Barry’s images from our recent journeys in North Wales.
The photo above is one of our favourites – who would live in a place like that?
Enjoy …
Not much room for cyclists on the narrow towpath across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct!
The basin at Trevor – a quiet and secluded spot for a day’s fishing
A tight squeeze to get into the basin through the Anglo Welsh boat hire parking
A delightful stone wall – an old version of a stile maybe?
Vibrant colours of the boat bows
Castle Dinas Bran – the ruins of it anyway. We were tempted to walk to the top and look at the spectacular scenery, sadly we didn’t make the time or find the energy!
Capturing a moment – a pleasurable walk
Spine tinglingly spooky!
Same scene, colour and movement added. Wonderful
The lift bridge as you approach Llangollen is permanently raised – beautiful scenery with the Welsh hills in the background and the golden evening light
The fairytale town of Llangollen
The trip boats waiting for the start of the season – these are horse drawn along the canal to the Horseshoe Falls
Llangollen Basin – hardly anyone moored here for a change. Once the season starts this will be full most days
A delightful walk to the Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls
Walk a short way further and the magic increases
Dating from the 7th century, Llantsyllio Church grounds are bathed in a blanket of snowdrops
Can you see the fairies in the tree? Look closely …
Walking back to Llangollen Wharf
The Chainbridge across the fast flowing River Dee
Recently refurbished, The Chainbridge Hotel perches proudly on a precipice overlooking the River Dee – how amazing would it be to stay here?
Maybe one day we’ll return and stay in the luxury of the hotel – that sounds tempting!
Wow!
Llangollen station
And from a different perspective …
Cafe right by the side of the Dee!
A last lingering look at the River Dee and Llangollen Station
We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to re-visit this gorgeous place – even more so that the moorings included free electrical hook up (and a ‘proper’ toilet)! What a blissful few days we had.
Admittedly we also experienced a few challenges, such as our poor broken toilet – you’ll be relieved to know that’s all fixed now thanks to Barry’s ingenuity (though there’s a hidden story in there about how he made it worse before he made it better, but I’m saving that one for the book!); and I dropped my Barclays Visa card on the first night we were there – someone handed it in to the branch thankfully, though there’s another story about the debacle that followed when they cancelled the wrong card that I shan’t bore you with here (the intricacies of getting post when you live aboard a boat make such incidents more interesting!).
But what would life be like if it just ran smoothly all the time? A certain amount of manageable stress is what keeps us awake and alive. You never know what the next day may bring …
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Love beautiful images as always xxxo
Hi an excellent blog and photos particularly liked the NZ ones so nice to see sunny days from the sometimes gloomy days of winter. We intend heading out to have a browse someday my wife Karen has a cousin living in Palmaston North! Thanks for sharing.
Adrian
Hi Adrian
Thanks for commenting, great to hear from you. Yes it was fantastic to see the azure blue skies of Gisborne, and feel the warmth of the sun again. It is a stunningly beautiful country. Palmerston North is inland, not far from Wellington which would be my second favourite city in Aotearoa. Definitely go if you get the chance – make it happen.
‘Someday’ is something you can say for too long and then wish you’d taken action when it’s too late! There’s a great book called the five regrets of the dying, written by a nurse called Bronnie Ware (http://bronnieware.com/regrets-of-the-dying/). The first one says:
“1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.”
Something to make you think!
🙂
Thanks for that Sandra, just getting our youngest through university she’s in her last year so graduation in September then our finances will be freer. So within 5 years will be my target! Thanks for the reply.
Adrian
Fantastic! 😉👍
Stunning pictures, that’s a Kiwi for you. Thrilled you and Mum had a great time in NZ, made ET want to go home. Hopefully our dates and plans allow us to catch up with you this year. xx Makuini and Dave
Hi Makuini and Dave, great to hear from you. He is a clever kiwi isn’t he?
Yes mum had a blast – and I adored being back in Aotearoa. Not sure when I’ll get back again – maybe it’s time for you to return for a holiday?
Yes, would be fab to see you both again somewhere along the way …
xx
Hi Caroline – Wow! How wonderful for you. We really must return one day and stay there AND walk up to the castle. Yes, Barry is a very talented photographer 😉
There is something delightful about Llangollen, I’ve been lucky enough to stay at the Chainbridge Hotel as a birthday treat in November, we had a room on the top floor with a balcony overlooking the Dee, the sound of the water at night is incredible.There was a cormorant fishing at night too, we watched for ages sitting out on a couple of very cold evenings. You must find time to walk up to Castle Dinas Bran next time, the views are truly spectacular if you get the right weather. Stunning photos from Barry again.