Happy New Year

What a week! I spent last Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday in northern Wales. Wednesday was spent driving
to Holy Island on the western coast of Wales, checking
into the local Travelodge (I'm not kidding.), walking
one of the very few sand beaches, and driving around
looking for an open restaurant. The only place on the
island serving food on Boxing Day (12/26) was
McDonalds (I wish I was kidding.)

Thursday morning was spent circumnavigating the island
by car, exploring local ruins, and watching an angry
Irish Sea.  The wind was blowing a constant 25 to 30
mph with gusts over 40.  Thursday afternoon was spent
exploring Beaumaris Castle on the east coast of
Anglesey Island (east of Holy Island).  This place was
built in the late 1200s to ensure leaders in Wales
knew who their Daddy was and it is pretty amazing.  I
drove to Cowyn back on the Welsh mainland to spend the
night in a very posh resort on the northern coast.
I'm glad it was the off season.  The food that night
made up for McDonalds.  I ate at the Cowyn Bistro and
the food (traditional Welsh) and wine (French, but of
course) were good enough that I will be wandering back
that way at some point next year.  I think Michelle
will enjoy the place.

Friday morning I was exploring the local Cowyn castle,
which was built around the same time as the Beaumaris
castle and for the same reason.  King Edward I spent a
lot of money to make sure Welsh leaders toed the line.
More traditional Welsh cuisine was sampled for lunch
and then the trip home began.  Luckily the trip was
uneventful thanks largely to Maggie.  Maggie is the
name I have settled on for the Tom Tom Navigator
graciously loaned to me by a friend at work who was
over here last year (Thanks again Chris!).

Saturday was spent at home and the stores getting
cleaned up and resupplied and Sunday was spent walking
in the Peaks District for the greater part of the day.
I walked about 10 miles and could see my car the
entire time.  There are very few trees in the parts of
England I have seen so far.  I will spend today trying
to catch up on work and then I'll be back in the Peaks
District tomorrow.

The people I meet continue to go out of their way to
make me feel at home and the beer continues to taste
very good.  I will try to update the list in my next
missive.  I hope this finds all well on y'all's end.
Happy New Year!  More later..........

DWR