Welcome to Wales!!
This weekend gone by, my friend Emma and I travelled to Wales!!
Started off a dreary cold (1 degree) morning in London, where in the dark we managed to catch a cab to Victoria and meet up with our tour.
A short trip later - based on the fact I managed a Nanna nap in between - our nutty bus driver got a hold of the microphone and mentioned we were crossing the Welsh/English border - which he was very excited about! He loved telling us random, idle and useless facts - reminded me very much of Dad! Apparently going into Wales, we needed to pay a toll, but going the other way we didn't. Also we needed to check out the Welsh sheep, as apparently their wool had a pinkish tinge due to the orange-pink soil....RIGHTEO JOE! Also he pointed out where in Wales we could train to become an electrician or plumber, which of course was always my plan for the weekend....
99% of the signposts are in Welsh & in English. There are lots of birds of prey, by the side of the road...and so on, and so on...
Once we crossed the border, the weather fined up! Lovely blue skies and gorgeous Autumn trees. Wales would have to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. Green rolling hills, dotted with large stone farmhouses, smoke wafting from chimneys. Babbling streams, livestock grazing...really reminded me of something from a Disney film, where everything is peaceful and perfect. On nearly every corner of every town we passed through, there'd be a cute traditional English pub.
Once we reached the riding centre and sorted our gear out, I was the first one to be issued with a horse. His name was Tudor and he was a gorgeous black stallion with a penchant for thrashing his head around! I thought it was because I was holding his reins too tight, but apparently it was a habit of his.
Once we got out into the fields, I had this overwhelming sense of relaxation, freedom and happiness wash over me. I thought to myself that there was nothing better to do on a Saturday morning than to be riding through the Welsh countryside on a horse, slowly soaking up the atmosphere and feeling revitalised. I even felt that at some point, once I'm home in Australia, I'd love to live in the country and own a horse, and have the freedom to connect with nature whilst riding it. Even though the morning was chilly, the sun shone and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Didn't even have a sore bum the next morning!
After this the bus picked us up and we ventured into a nearby village called Hay on Wye, famous for it's unique book stores. Emma and I were keen to seek out a pub for lunch (which we successfully did, of course), where I tried the local brew, which was yum!
We found this nutter bookstore that was based at the bottom of a castle AND was outdoors! It was an honesty shop, where on metal bookshelves stood hundreds of books (many damp from the weather), where you'd pop the money in a box if you decided upon a book! Before leaving to catch the bus, we of course ventured into a traditional fudge shop, where I purchased some scrummy Baileys fudge - droool!
We spent the night in Swansea (equivalent, probably, to Newcastle) and stayed in a posh Ramadan hotel!! Complete with 3 course yummy dinner AND a full English breaky the next morning! That night we hit the town - which consists of one street, Wind St, where everyone goes...including chicks who dressed like they were prossies. Seriously. Every chick/skank we saw, was wearing the most skimpiest clothing AND hugging themselves to keep warm!! I mean DUR wear a jacket?! Hahaha in one club we were asked "Have you just been to a funeral?", as we were all wearing black coats and jumpers and jeans...cracked us up for the rest of the night!!
Sunday weather was crap, but we still headed to Cardiff to see the city. Cardiff is a kewl city. We first went on a tour of Cardiff Castle, with the most interesting bloke, who made us feel like the family still lived there. Then amid pouring rain, we made our way down to the wine cellars and enjoyed tea and Welsh cakes (which reminded me of fruit piklets, but yum!
Afterwards, we headed to the shops and guess what?!? FOUND A MALL!! Oh bliss!! One thing I miss sooo much over here, is shopping centres, where everything is under one roof!!! Was fantastic to wander under cover, where no cars could swerve at you, and window shop! Had a lovely pub lunch (Leek & Cheese pie - the Welsh are known for cooking with leek) that cost absolutely nothing and was massive!! Washed it down with a pint of Brains (Welsh brewed beer).
In the arvo, we headed back to the castle, as it had stopped raining, and mounted the mounted tower, to see the view over Cardiff - which was kinda soggy looking.
All up we had a fantastic weekend, made quite a few new friends and now would love to go back to Wales with a car to explore every cute pub in every cute town :) Very romantic and picturesque.
Thoughtless!