Sunday, November 21, 2010

A Happy Diversion

After watching the weather forecast closely on Friday night we decided to drive up towards Chester yesterday;  if the weather wasn't so good we would go into the city, if it was okay we would head towards the Welsh coast.  As we drove along our usual route the road had been closed with no visible diversion signs so we turned towards  Wrexham and eventually found our way back onto the main road to North Wales - the decision was made for us!

We decided to go into Llandudno after seeing signs for a Celtic Winter Fair.  We parked on the sea front and went straight down to walk along the pebbly beach heading towards the pier, passing many gulls, but not many people on the way.

I love the buildings in Llandudno; they have a French influence and the streets are wide like Parisian boulevards.

As we walked any residual mist began to lift and the sun peered through the clouds.  Although the temperature was quite low there was no wind so it didn't feel cold at all.

Having walked along the beach and the promenade we decided to walk to the end of the pier and back before going into the town to find the fair.

There were more people at this end of the town and some of the gift shops were open in the little kiosks on the pier.

It was colder at the far end of the pier as the sun disappeared behind the clouds for a short while -the mist still hanging over the little orme and the great orme.

We wandered into the town - so this is where everyone was!  The fair looked very interesting but we only saw a few outside stalls as the marquees were full to bursting with people queuing to go in and it looked as though once you got inside you would find it difficult to move around or even to look at anything properly.    Reluctantly  we decided to move on.

We drove out towards Conwy and called in at the RSPB nature reserve there.  After a lovely late but warming lunch of soup and a bread roll, we had a walk around the reserve.

We didn't cover all of the area but enjoyed the bird hides overlooking the lagoon. 

Snowdon was visible in the distance surrounded by mist and cloud.

There was an interesting children's  wildlife trail ending with Tiny Town a perfect habitat for slugs, bugs and insects.

It was time to drive home before darkness descended, remembering to avoid the A41 and take the A51 to Nantwich instead.  It was a long, tiring day but  so lovely to see the sea again!

16 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a lovely day. Llandudno looks lovely as you say , very French.

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  2. That was a nice surprise to see Llandudno in pictures. We didn't get there this year so it is noce to see some pictures.Your pictures are lovely. I can't work out where the 3rd picture was taken?
    I love the picture of the bandstand with the seagulls.
    My favourite view is when you come from Penrhyn Bay down the hill and you see the sea and the Greta Orme
    Sue

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  3. Such a lovely diversion Rosie. I like the way you have captured the change in the weather as you went away from the coast. I can't believe you had such lovely blue skies. I can't remeber the last time I saw a blue sky!!!

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  4. I haven't been to Llandudno since I was in my7 teens and looking at your photos I'm wondering why! It looks really lovely even on a November day. That part of the Welsh coast used to be a regular day out for us when I was a youngster and living in Cheshire. Pity about the Celtic Fair, it sounds as though it would have been good - obviously the locals all thought so anyway:)

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  5. Like Rowan, I too haven't been to Llandudno for many years - you've made it seem very enticing. Looks like you had a good day. Pity about the fair.

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  6. I love Llandudno.It is only about 35 minute drive from here.It never changes.It is one of our favourite places and we often go there for a walk by the sea.I love your photos.They really capture your day out.Have you seen the big wheel in Chester?It is on the castle car park along with a Victorian Xmas fair.

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  7. What a lovely place I was little last time I went but your photos make me want to revisit!
    love
    lyn
    xxx

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  8. When we lived in Manchester, Llandudno was accessible for a day. I miss the sea :(

    Loved looking at your photos :)

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  9. The town with that weird name looks wonderful and so old fashioned! Thank you for sharing such great pictures!
    xxx

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  10. I thought I had left you a comment last night - good job I checked again!! Ive only been to Llandudno once before - looking at your photos I think a camping trip may be in order - when it gets warmer! Lucky you to get in a seaside day! xxxxx

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  11. Lucky you! It sounds like a perfect day. We were there during the summer of last year and rode the tram up to the Great Orme, which was lovely.

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  12. We love Llandudno too, it does look Parisian as does Southport. The older I get the more I hate crowds so I would have had to pass on the fair too, shame as you had travelled so far.

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  13. Hello! -I live about half an hours drive away from Llandudno, I think at night is my favourite time -it looks so pretty with the lights reflecting off the water !

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  14. that sky and general brightness is lovely... super post. we seem to have damp and darkness down this way though the sun is out a bit now (but I am indoors working :-( Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx

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  15. What a lovely place to spend an evening.

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  16. Lovely pics. Never realised the architecture in Llandudno was so nice. Makes me want to visit!

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