Lodge Life :: July 2025

Hi there everyone 😀

The first half of our three-week summer break at the lodge fell in July, with the rest spilling over into August.

Those first few days after we arrived were really very quiet. Other than doing a bit of tidying up and getting things ready for when David, Alison and Bobby came to stay, we didn’t do a great deal at all … which, to be honest, was lovely. It’s not often we give ourselves permission just to stop, and the slower pace was a welcome change.

We knew we’d have a busy time once our visitors arrived, with plenty of outings and adventures planned, so it was nice to enjoy a bit of calm beforehand. Most of our days were spent pottering around the lodge, preparing for their visit, reading and just generally enjoying the sunshine and soaking up the peace and quiet …

Our only real ‘outing’ was a little trip over to Porthmadog, where we treated ourselves to a quick drink at the Steam Railway Station. It’s always a lovely spot, with a nice bit of bustle and plenty to watch as the trains come and go …

Back at the lodge, we did manage to squeeze in a swim, which was a refreshing treat on a warm afternoon. And Martin kept himself busy finishing off his latest creation … just have to find a home for it now …

All in all, it was the perfect gentle start to our summer break … before the fun really began when David, Alison and Bobby arrived 😜

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Lodge Life :: October 2023

Hi there everyone 😀

In October we managed to fit in a week at the lodge with mum. We took a different route from usual both on the way there and back … opting for going through Llangollen and taking a scenic drive up over The Horseshoe Pass …

We didn’t do lots on this visit but did manage a couple of days out and about starting with a visit to Porthmadog. We detoured along the front in Cricieth to take in the views …

… and to take in the Halloween themed post box toppers…

In Porthmadog it was cold but bright and we had a walk along to harbour to the Ffestiniog steam railway station …

There were no trains due in for a while so we just had a drink in the sunshine and a wander around …

It really is one of the most picturesque stations ever. 

With still no trains due any time soon we had a drive to the other end of town to run a few errands and have a look at the other steam railway … The Welsh Highland Railway. It was the first time we’d been to have a look and, though not as pretty as the Ffestiniog, there was a train in … it was absolutely immaculate …

By now there was a train due in at the other station so we hot footed it back to the other end of town and Martin just dropped mum and I off to have a look …

Having had our fill of steam trains for the day we headed for home, with a quick call in at Borth y Gest for a sandwich with a view on the way …

Our other big day out was to Penrhyn Castle …

… which is one of the most impressive castles, both inside and out, that we’ve visited …

… with the most fantastic views looking out across the Menai Strait …

We picked up a few Christmas gifts in the shop and had lunch in the cafe, before having a quick look round the rail museum …

There was just time to snap a couple of pictures outside before the buggy arrived to run us back to the car park …

As we were over that way, and not quite ready to head for home, we we decided to take a drive to the Ogwen Valley, where we discovered the old Roman road for some great views of the waterfalls …

And we couldn’t be over that way without a quick call in to Zipworld to show mum how the old quarry was now being used … none of us felt anywhere near brave enough for a go but it’s always good fun to have a look …

That was pretty much it for October, though there was another bit of a detour in the way home … Llangollen again, but this time for a look at the Horseshoe Falls …

… and to show mum the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct …

Visiting places on the way back is always good and really squeezes every last drop out of our visits … though sometimes it is nice to just get in the car and get home … and North Wales in the autumn has been a real treat 😀

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