8 April 2017

Tootling

Saturday on The Isle of Anglesey and what a beautiful day it has been. At eight fifteen I pulled up the master bedroom blinds at  Llynon Lodge and this is the scene I beheld:-
Such a diamond day in shirt sleeves. After breakfast, we jumped in the car and tootled off down the west coast of the island. The landscape was bathed in gorgeous sunshine. Lambs frolicked in emerald green pastures and the gorse bushes shone a bright rich yellow.

We headed for Treaddur Bay on Holy Island which is so close to Anglesey you could be forgiven for failing to realise that it is indeed an island in its own right. I took several photographs of an old hotel perched on a rocky promontory before we headed further up the coast to South Stack.
Along the way we met a retired train driver called Bob Grump. He was sitting on a sunlit bench admiring the view. He told us he had sat in that same place "hundreds" of times. I took a picture of him and promised to e-mail the result to him. This was it:-
After a little snack and a pot of tea in the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) cafe at South Stack we viewed South Stack lighthouse with nearby nesting terns and guillemots perched precariously on sea cliff ledges.
Then we were back in the car tootling down to Rhosneigr and Aberffraw. We tarried in both seaside villages and then we drove down a single track lane to see an amazing historical little church that sits on an island in a rocky bay. It's called St Cwyfan's Church. Fortunately, the tide was out so we were able to walk across the rocky causeway to spend a little time in that marvellous place. At high tide the island is always surrounded by sea-waves. I reckon that the church sits on what was once a significant pagan site in pre-Christian times.
In the last thirty hours we have done and seen so much. I could easily have made this post as long as your arm. One of the highlights would have been how I avoided a collision with a speeding farmer's 4x4 pick up truck by taking swift avoidance action - swinging in to the gateway of a field and hearing the ominous crunching of rocks beneath my faithful Clint. The farmer paused briefly and then sped off, not stopping to see how shaken we were or whether or not any damage had been caused. The whole incident lasted two seconds. I am sure that if I hadn't swung my steering wheel there would have been a head-on collision with airbags deployed. These one track Welsh lanes with tall hedgerows can be treacherous so I drive along them like Reginald Molehusband. Steady as she goes.

21 comments:

  1. You have been blessed with some beautiful weather for your island jaunt. Fantastic scenery and countryside; I like the photo of Bob Grump.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Could "Bob Grump" sometimes be a suitable nickname for Paul?

      Delete
  2. I bet Bob lives up to his name, too. And, I'll bet he gets sick of jokes made about his name!

    "Steady as she goes" seems the most sensible and safest way to go, Those farmers believe the land and the roadways are theirs and beware all others who dare enter their domain! I'm glad to hear Clint handled himself with aplomb!

    Enjoy the blue skies and clear, fresh air... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think it will last too long Lee. Colder, cloudier days are coming.

      Delete
  3. So... are those young ladies the terns or are they the guillemots?...

    It's lovely to see so much green! It's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The young ladies are chicks. And yes, it was such a beautiful day Jenny. Days like that boost your spirits.




      Delete
  4. What a pleasant area you found to "tootle " around. Beautiful scenery and lots of history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most places look pleasant on days like yesterday Red. Why, even Red Deer would have looked nice!

      Delete
  5. You've packed a lot into your time and Bob Grump doesn't look like a grump at all.

    Alphie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He was a most pleasant fellow. In a short time we learnt a lot about him. Once he drove a train containing Bill Clintoo and another time Prince Charles. He must have told those two stories a hundred times.

      Delete
  6. Glad you're enjoying your hols bar the farmer bit.
    I love the Bob Grump's of this world, with their stories to tell. The world needs more friendly folk like this. Sad thing is, few people want to listen anymore...
    Anna :o]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob Grump could have talked for England but he was one of those people who rapidly bare and share all without stopping to consider that his listeners might also have stories to tell.

      Delete
  7. Glad you're having such good weather to enjoy your holiday YP.
    Bob Grump looks a happy chap. In future will there be any people like Bob with interesting stories to tell? They will all have been done to death on social media !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We made the most of Saturday CG. Sunday started very well but it wasn't long before clouds rolled in to obscure the sun.

      Delete
  8. It has been a beautiful weekend down here too. You were indeed blessed for your break in Anglesey, apart from the near-death experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sunday has not been as good as Saturday up here on Anglesey. Too much cloud but we still got out and about and saw some wondrous scenes.

      Delete
  9. That church looks amazingly like the little church at Mwnt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Until you mentioned it Mrs Weaver, I hadn't seen any images of the church at Mwnt but now I have and you are right.

      Delete
  10. A lovely spot and lovely ether too. My cousin lives in that neck of the woods and took us to Betws y Coed on our last visit. A favourite with her family and easy to see why. Hope the weather continues for you till Easter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sunday was a bit cloudy but I have awkoen on Mondy morning to lovely Australian-like sunshine. Oh! There's a kangaroo in the woods! G'day mate!

      Delete
  11. Well, thank goodness you avoided calamity. The scenery looks amazing! I love that little white church and Mr. Grump. Who has the best name ever.

    ReplyDelete

Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

Most Visits