A week in Wales: underground, overground, and horizontal in between

We had a bit of a staycation between Christmas 2014 and New Year 2015, with a few days of fresh air in Wales. First, we went underground.

Underground

Our reason for stopping in south Wales was to visit the Big Pit: the national coal museum of Wales (the von Yarralls do like anything energy-related!). Located in Blaenavon, it was a working coal mine from 1860-1980 and is now open to visitors - amazingly, for free. We got to go 90 meters underground with an ex-miner to experience a bit of life as a miner during the hour-long tour. The site also had an excellent interactive museum. A fantastic way to spend a few hours to get a flavour for Welsh heritage.

The Big Pit

 The other underground activity was in the middle of Snowdonia national park, an hour blowing off steam at Bounce Below. Hidden underground in a 176-year-old disused slate cavern, it’s essentially three giant trampolines in a space twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. Bloody brilliant fun. And yes, we are secretly 10 years old...

All kitted out for Bounce Below

And now to the overground.

Overground

Driving, driving, driving. Motorways, single lane roads, country lanes complete with snow and sheep. Some gorgeous sights, including driving through a snow storm across the Brecon Beacons national park, and along the winding, stream-sided valleys of Snowdonia national park.

We also enjoyed a beautiful morning walk around the harbour town of Aberaeron on the West coast, and a country ramble nearby in Llangeitho through autumn leaves, mud, frosty grass and icy puddles. A good workout for the wellington boots and a much-needed spot of exercise after so much food.

Another highlight was Caernarfon castle. As well as well-maintained buildings and ground, it hosts an informative museum of the castle’s history, an interesting display of the 1969 investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales, and an even stronger display of the Welsh military which, unfortunately we had to rush through as we were nearing closing time. In a street nearby, we spent a happy few hours drinking and eating at the 15^th century Black Boy Inn. Oh my goodness the lamb pie is TO DIE FOR.

Which leads us nicely to being horizontal.  

Horizontal

In between all this activity, we made the most of the facilities at the excellent hotels we’d booked, namely the Harbour Master in Aberaeron (a gorgeous boutique hotel and restaurant – do eat there then walk it off around the gorgeous harbour town, admiring the boats and colourful houses the next morning), and at Seiont Manor in Llanrun near Caernarfon (a bigger, older hotel with a lovely swimming pool and grounds, lounges complete with board games, and beds the size of our London flat). We did set the alarm there one morning to have a crack at walking up part of Mt Snowdon, but the snooze button got the better of us. Let’s just call a sleep in our own special Christmas gift to ourselves.

Aberaeron harbour, Harbour Master Hotel directly ahead

And finally, more overground to end the trip, with a mega 6-hour drive back to London to enjoy the New Year fireworks with our besties Melissa and Kyle from Westminster Bridge. What a spectacular way to say goodbye to 2014. Happy New Year all!

Best buds in London

Winter in London and Germany, and rugby in Cardiff

It’s been a picture perfect winter in London with lots of snow flurries (until it quickly melts to muddy sludge). We’ve been to a few shows – Oliver, Cirque Du Soleil, Aladdin the pantomime, starring Pamela Anderson as genie; and done some touristy things like ice skating at the Tower of London for Amy Yarrall’s birthday, and a few museum/gallery visits.
Travel-wise, it’s been pretty low key, keeping our powder dry for the big trip to Egypt over Christmas (see separate post).

We went to Birmingham in October to watch the Baggies win 5-0, and to Wales to watch the All Blacks win against Wales in November.

Lou in front of Cardiff Castle


Dean outside the stadium

We also visited the Christmas markets in Dusseldorf and Cologne with Dean's sisters. They were great, we feel we’ve probably ticked “Christmas markets” off the list now, and have a nutcracker and a couple of market mugs to remember that trip by.

Dean's empty plate after a delicious German meal - swine haux - basically a whole roast pig!



Lou with Dean's sisters Amy and Sarah, enjoying eggnog

In January we spent a weekend in Geneva with Lou’s brother and sister-in-law, to stay with Lou’s sister and brother-in-law (yes, confusing big family) at their wonderful new house there. We were there the same weekend that around 100 von Dadelszens got together in New Zealand to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first von Dadelszens arriving in New Zealand from Liverpool, so we had some family time together.

Lots of our spare time has been spent planning our trip to South Africa in June for the football world cup. We’ll be there for 2 ½ weeks following the All Whites around, so lots of accommodation to arrange, plus a couple of nights in Kruger park trying to spot the big five. And we’re also spending time planning a visit by Lou’s Mum in March/April this year.