School’s Out :: 2024

Hi there everyone 😀

We’ve just had a fun packed, activity filled few days, being visited at the lodge by my brother and his family. It was a visit full of all kinds of weather, plenty of exploring, swimming, ice creams, fish and chips and generally lots of fun. 

They came this time last year, just after Bobby had broken up for the school holidays, and I’m hoping we may have just started a bit of an annual tradition. 

As with last year … the weather forecast was a bit of a shocker but we’ve learned to ignore it … as it often predicts far more gloom than actually materialises … and this definitely ended up being the case again this year. 

Our first day was spent avoiding the showers but they did hold off for our walk up to the ‘Tin Man’ on the Llanbedrog headland. 

We parked at The Gallery, where the hydrangeas were looking fabulous …

Martin and I have walked to the Tin Man a couple of times before. The first was with mum and dad, where we took the steps up from the beach. That was an experience that was never to be repeated. The second time we went with Lesley and Tom and we took the easier route from The Gallery and that’s what we did this time …

We weren’t entirely sure that Martin and I would make it to the top. It’s fair to say that I’d forgotten quite how many steps there still were. In fact … I’d told David it was a nice gentle incline … which it was … for a very short while … then we hit the first of the steps …

… which were actually nothing compared to the last lot. After taking it very steadily and with lots of huffing and puffing from Martin and I we all made it to the top …

Even though it was a bit grey the views were fabulous …

We were really glad we’d all made it though I’m not sure Martin and I will do it again … but you never know. 

By the time we’d got back down to The Gallery the rain was hammering down and we decided to head into Pwllheli where we spent an hour in the amusement arcade, trying to win enough tickets to win Bobby a popgun 🙈

Our second day was spent in Porthmadog, where the popgun was definitely flavour of the month …

A Treasure Trail was on the cards, which we all started out on up above and around the harbour …

The trail took us onto the station, where Martin and I decided to opt out and wait to see the steam train coming in across the road, whilst David, Alison and Bobby carried on with the hunt …

Whilst in Porthmadog we picked up a portable escape room game from PanIQ Rooms Wales, which was our plan for the afternoon …

Come the evening, when we’d solved the mysteries of the suitcase, we headed into Criccieth for a walk in the evening sunshine and to watch the lifeboat launch practice …

We then had a wander up to the chip shop, passing our favourite post box topper on the way …

There was one heck of a queue for the chip shop and we ended up having a 45 minute wait … which gave me time to take some photos of the pretty cottages and the castle …

I’m pleased to say that the wait for the fish and chips were worth it … and we ate them in a spot with a great view …

As we’d had a couple of really busy days and the forecast was good for the last day of David, Alison and Bobby’s visit we decided we’d have a nice relaxing day. 

We started off with a swim …

… before having a ride back into Criccieth, where a visit to the castle was on the cards. We’ve not visited before so it was nice to do something new. It was a bit of a slog up the hill for Martin and I but it was definitely worth the effort …

The views across Criccieth were spectacular … it really is a very pretty little town … which has become a firm favourite …

It was the perfect spot for a few crazy selfies …

Castle done and dusted it was time to head to Cadwaladers for ice cream sundaes …

… before walking up to the High Street for a quick browse …

It was then back to the lodge for an early afternoon swim, before firing up the BBQ …

The following day our guests were heading for home and we decided to go with them as far as Conwy and spend a couple of hours exploring …

Another Treasure Trail was downloaded and we were on our way … exploring parts of Conwy we’d never seen before …

… before ending up on the harbour …

The trail then took us around the town centre where there may have been a visit to the Knight Shop …

Conwy is another really pretty town with plenty of small independent shops for mooching in and plenty of interesting things to catch your eye …

The Treasure Trail route took us back to where we had

begun via St Mary’s Churchyard and the glimpse of the hanging paper cranes through the front door drew Martin and I in for a closer look. It is a beautiful church with a rich history and we couldn’t resist lingering a while …

We caught back up with David, Alison and Bobby for one last selfie … including the Black Knight …

It was then time to wave them off and for us to head back to the lodge for a few very chilled out days with not much in the agenda at all. 

We’d had a lovely visit and can’t wait to do it all again this time next year 😜

**********************************************